As requested, here’s the superb 2024 Japanese SHM‑CD reissue of Nazareth’s classic 1973 album Razamanaz, featuring a powerful new remaster, three killer bonus tracks, and a beautiful papersleeve / mini‑LP replica presentation.
Widely regarded as one of the band’s finest moments, Razamanaz was Nazareth’s true breakthrough — a gritty, hard‑hitting record that finally captured the raw energy of their live shows. Produced by Roger Glover of Deep Purple, the album sharpened their sound into a fierce blend of heavy riffs, blues swagger, and touches of country‑rock. It delivered early hits like “Broken Down Angel” and “Bad, Bad Boy,” plus scorching deep cuts such as the title track and their fiery take on Leon Russell’s “Alcatraz.”
The new SHM‑CD remaster is outstanding: wide soundstage, excellent separation, and enough headroom to crank it loud the way this album demands.
Nazareth had spent years grinding through the U.K. scene before this record finally put them on the map. Their first two albums showed promise but lacked focus; everything clicked once Glover stepped in. With tracks like “Night Woman,” “Woke Up This Morning,” and the blistering “Razamanaz,” the band delivered a tight, confident set that pushed them into the charts for the first time.
The bonus material is absolutely worth having.
- “Hard Living” (B‑side to Bad, Bad Boy) is a monster — a heavy, Sabbath‑esque outtake that should’ve made the album.
- “Spinning Top,” another B‑side, is even rawer and heavier, pure unfiltered rock ’n’ roll.
For many fans and critics, Razamanaz stands as one of the essential early hard rock albums of the ’70s — and this Japanese remaster is the best way to experience it.