Chris Brown

Yes, I will buy my 9th copy of Close To The Edge on March 7.

Many people say Yes’ Close To The Edge is the greatest progressive rock album ever. I really hope prog didn’t actually peak in 1972. I’m not going to get into that. You have your own opinion and if you don’t, you probably aren’t interested in a $99 box set. Let’s focus on the contents.

The 2025 Super Deluxe contains a lot of new stuff compared to the last Yes boxsets, but you need to keep your 2013 “Definitive Edition” CD+Blu-Ray. Retain Audio Fidelity’s SACD if you prefer Steve Hoffman’s master.

The SD Blu-Ray contains Steven Wilson’s 2025 stereo, 5.1, and Dolby Atmos mixes and a new remaster of the original stereo mix.

Everything else is on one of the five CDs, which include:

• Live at The Rainbow from December 15, 1972. This is not one of the shows on Progeny: Seven Shows from Seventy-Two.
• A “Dry” Mix of “America.” I don’t know what this might be.
• Steven Wilson’s edits of “Siberian Khatru,” “Cord of Life,” and “Total Mass Retain.” I suppose these are new mixes of 1972 single edits.

Keep the 2013 Definitive Edition for:

• Both original mixes of the “And You And I” single. The SD only contains one.
• 24/192 flat transfers of the core album and “America.”
• SW’s 2013 stereo, 5.1, and instrumental mixes
• 24/96 transfer of the original UK vinyl album
• 24/96 presentations of anything that isn’t part of the core album. They are only on CD in the SD.

I don’t have to tell you to keep your favorite vinyl pressing, at least until you hear the new one.

OK, Brown out.