1979 Studio Album Remastered from the Original Analog Tapes by Kevin Reeves & Cut on Copper Plates Using Abbey Road Mastering’s Direct Metal Mastering (DMM) Lathe!

Nine essential Allman Brothers Band albums, spanning 1969 to 1979, have been remastered from the original analog tapes for reissue on audiophile quality 180g vinyl in July 2016 by Mercury/UMe. They include: an expanded 2LP edition of The Allman Brothers Band; Idlewild South; At Fillmore East; Eat a Peach; Brothers and Sisters; Win, Lose or Draw; Wipe the Windows, Check the Oil, Dollar Gas; Enlightened Rogues; and the 3LP debut of Live At Ludlow Garage 1970. The albums have been remastered by Kevin Reeves to 192kHz/24-bit audio and cut on copper plates using Abbey Road Mastering’s Direct Metal Mastering (DMM) lathe. All nine LP packages feature faithfully replicated original album artwork.

The Allman Brothers Band’s signature mix of down-home groove and instrumental virtuosity, blues-drenched soul and guitar-driven rock, and dedication to all-night jamming, laid the groundwork for what became known as the Southern Rock movement. The band rewrote the rulebook on how rock guitarists could play together along the way, and laid the blueprint for every two and even three-guitar band that would follow in their wake.

1979 was a comeback year for the Allman Brothers Band after a 1976 break-up and Enlightened Rogues was a strong statement from the reformed group. A third incarnation of the ABB was formed for the recording of the album – a line-up of Gregg Allman (keyboards, vocals), Dickey Betts (guitar, vocals), Dan Toler (guitar), David Goldflies (bass), Butch Trucks (drums, percussion) and Jaimoe (drums) – which would remain for a three record run through 1981’s Brothers of the Road before disbanding once again.

The Allman’s first full-length effort since 1975’s Win, Lose or Draw, Enlightened Rogues ranks among the band’s greatest studio offerings alongside The Allman Brothers Band and Idlewild South. The cathartic 8-song set is awash in harmonies and heartache, the direct product of years of tragedy and tribulation. Hard charging Betts originals (“Crazy Love,” “Can’t Take It With You,” “Pegasus,” “Try It One More Time,” “Sail Away”) dominate the proceedings while Gregg’s lone original “Just Ain’t Easy” and accomplished covers of “Need Your Love So Bad” and “Blind Love” only sweeten the deal.