KISS has shared a two‑track digital single that pairs a freshly mixed version of “Mr. Speed” with a previously unreleased outtake of “Hard Luck Woman”. The release serves as a preview of the forthcoming super‑deluxe edition of the 1976 album Rock and Roll Over.
The New Mix and the Unreleased Take
Eddie Kramer, who produced the original LP, revisited his own tapes to create a new mix of “Mr. Speed”. The track runs just over three minutes and showcases Kramer’s updated touch while staying rooted in the source material. Alongside it, fans receive an unpublished version of “Hard Luck Woman”, the acoustic‑tinged ballad written by Paul Stanley and sung by drummer Peter Criss. This outtake lasts a little under four minutes and offers a glimpse into the recording process before the final version was chosen.
Why the Kramer Mix Matters
Kramer’s involvement is significant because he engineered the original sessions. Rather than an external remixer applying a modern sheen, the producer himself is reshaping the tracks from his own archives. This approach promises a mix that reflects how the album might sound if it were being finished today, while still honoring the raw, room‑sized crunch that defined Rock and Roll Over.
Background on Rock and Roll Over
The record marked a shift from the glossy production Bob Ezrin gave Destroyer. KISS recorded much of Rock and Roll Over at the Star Theatre in Nanuet, New York, opting for a live‑room feel over a conventional studio. The album yielded two US Top 20 hits, “Hard Luck Woman” and “Calling Dr. Love”, and is remembered for its energetic, unpolished vigor.
What the Super‑Deluxe Box Contains
The forthcoming box set spreads across four CDs and a Blu‑ray Audio disc, presenting 130 tracks, 100 of which have never been heard before.
- CD 1 – The original mix, remastered by Bernie Grundman from the stereo analog tapes.
- CD 2 – Kramer’s full new mix of the entire album.
- CD 3 – A collection of demos, outtakes and alternate mixes, including nine Gene Simmons demos, sessions from Davlen Sound Studios and the unfinished instrumental “Queen For A Day”, which was slated to become Ace Frehley’s first lead vocal on a KISS record.
- CD 4 – Kramer’s new mixes of the band’s first Japanese shows at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, recordings once earmarked for a second live album.
Accompanying the audio is a 104‑page hardcover book by Ken Sharp, featuring fresh interviews with the surviving members.
Fan Reaction and Availability
The label describes Kramer’s work as giving the album a more contemporary rock edge, a direction that could polarize listeners who cherish the original’s blunt, room‑sized texture. Early streaming data shows modest engagement, suggesting that the full vault may appeal primarily to dedicated collectors. For those who want the new mix without purchasing the entire set, standalone LP and CD editions are available, though the unreleased material remains locked inside the premium package.
Release Timeline and Formats
The digital single arrived on October 16, exactly one year after the death of Ace Frehley at age 74. The super‑deluxe edition follows on November 6, timed to precede the 50th anniversary of the original Rock and Roll Over release on November 11, 1976. In addition to the box set, the Kramer mix will be issued on LP and CD in a gold, red and black variant of the original cover. The Blu‑ray includes Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround mixes of both the original and new versions, with the original‑mix surround work handled by David Frangioni.
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