Description

Vinyl Records London are on cloud nine, we are now spinning in a brand new copy in 7 Inch Vinyl from R.E.M. R.E.M.rsquos first and breakthrough single ldquoRadio Free Europerdquo was initially released by a small Atlantabased record label, HibTone Records. Produced by Mitch Easter, the original recording of the single had different mixes by Easter and by labelowner Johnny Hibbert.nbspnbspAlthough the band preferred Easterrsquos mix, Hibbert chose his version for the 1981 limited pressing 45RPM single, which is now a coveted collectorrsquos item, packaged in a black and white sleeve featuring original photography by Michael Stipe.ldquoRadio Free Europerdquo was later rerecorded for the bandrsquos first album release on major record label I.R.S. Records and went on to land the band their chart debut, peaking at number 78 in the Billboard Pop Chart. That album,nbspMurmur, went on to reach number 36 in the album charts, and set the band steadfastly on the path to college radio domination and critical acclaim. The bandrsquos 1988 compilation album,nbspEponymous, included what was called the Original HibTone single, but what was in fact Easterrsquos original mix, not Hibbertrsquos.This limited edition 7rdquo pressing represents the firstever rerelease of the original HibTonenbsprecording of ldquoRadio Free Europe,rdquo and comes housed in a replica sleeve.