Marc Almond - Fantastic Star

First released in 1996, Fantastic Star represents a pivotal, albeit turbulent, period in Marc Almond's solo career. Spanning two record labels and featuring production from four distinct musical architects—Mike Thorne, Mike Hedges, The Beatmasters, and Martyn Ware—the album is a kaleidoscopic journey that ranges from "grimy guitar-based rock 'n' roll" to high-gloss pop and sweeping ballads.

This long-awaited vinyl debut, released for Record Store Day 2023, isn't just a reissue; it is The Artist’s Cut. Marc Almond has completely re-evaluated the original CD tracklist, removing tracks he felt didn't fit—such as "Shining Brightly"—and replacing them with fan-favorite B-sides and the Neal-X co-write, "The User." Mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, this edition restores Marc's original vision for the album, both sonically and visually.