National Album Day returns for its fifth year and this year's theme celebrates some of the biggest and best debut albums around. From Black Sabbath to Wu-Tang Clan, we take a closer look at some of our favourites from the amazing NAD 2022 colour vinyl editions available on Townsend Music.
Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath - Black & Purple Splatter Vinyl
52 years ago the Brummy legends Black Sabbath unleashed their self-titled debut album into the world and laid the foundations for their path to legendary status worldwide. The genre-defining record was recorded in a mere 12 hours with producer Rodger Bain at Regent Sound Studio in London.
The groundbreaking 1970 album is regarded as the first heavy metal album to be commercially released anywhere and has gone on to gain platinum sales certification in the US.
"We were different to anything around at the time" - Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath
This iconic album is reissued for the first time as a single LP on black and purple splatter vinyl.
Jamiroquai: Emergency On Planet Earth Transparent Double Vinyl
Emergency on Planet Earth is the debut studio album by English funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai. The album was originally released on 14th June 1993 and reached number one in the UK Album Charts and sold over 1,200,00 copies worldwide.
This special release marks which 30 years since the release of the first single 'When You Gonna Learn', is pressed onto a limited edition transparent double heavyweight vinyl.
Emergency On Planet Earth is available on limited edition transparent vinyl.
The Damned - Damned Damned Damned
The Damned blazed a trail when they became the very first British punk band to release a single (New Rose) on 22nd October 1976, which was swiftly followed by the release of the very first British punk album, their classic debut Damned Damned Damned in February 1977.
At just half an hour long, the debut is a stone-cold classic of rock and roll fire coupled with the band's take-no-prisoners aesthetic.
Pre-order Damned Damned Damned on limited edition yellow vinyl.
The The: Soul Mining - Black Vinyl
Originally released on 21st October 1983, Soul Mining is the debut major label album by post-punk outfit The The, fronted by Matt Johnson. The album includes the singles 'Uncertain Smile', 'Perfect', and the iconic 'This Is The Day'.
The album features a host of talented musicians including Jools Holland, JG Thirwell (aka Foetus, Manorexia, Steroid Maximus), Zeke Manyika (Orange Juice), and electronic DIY pioneer Thomas Leer.
The album has been long out of print on vinyl and is now reissued on limited edition black vinyl in honour of National Album Day 2022.
Mariah Carey: Mariah Carey - Sheer Smoke Vinyl
The debut album from the superstar singer-songwriter Mariah Carey truly took the world by storm, hitting number 1 in the US for 11 consecutive weeks.
The 1990 self-titled release introduced the world to an astounding talent with an unmatched five-octave vocal range. Features the singles 'Vision Of Love', 'Love Takes Time', and 'Someday'.
Mariah Carey is available to pre-order on limited edition sheer smoke vinyl.
Wu-Tang Clan - Enter The 36 Chambers
Wu-Tang Clan's debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is regarded as one of the most influential rap albums of the '90s.
Its sparse yet atmospheric production, courtesy of RZA, mapped out the sonic blueprint that countless other hardcore rappers would follow for years to come.
Wu-Tang Clan's debut album Enter The 36 Chambers is available on limited edition gold vinyl.
Visit the National Album Day 2022 Collection on Townsend Music and listen to our Spotify playlist below!