Mike Cooper wrote his final songwriter record, a suite of gloaming glam-rock anthems performed with a spiritual jazz trio, while living on the Costa Tropical of Granada, Spain, an era when he was considering retiring from music altogether. A chance encounter and a last-ditch record deal convinced him to make one last album, which he recorded in 1974 at Pathway Studios in London, with "The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World," featuring the inventive South African jazz rhythm section of Louis Moholo and Harry Miller with UK saxophonist Mike Osborne. This first-ever reissue includes a bonus CD of Milan Live Acoustic 2018, a previously unreleased solo set that represents Cooper's return, after forty-four years pursuing free improvisation and electronics, to a new, deconstructed approach to singing, steel guitar, and songcraft. The deluxe LP+CD edition also features a six-panel insert with additional artwork and an essay by the artist about both records. The deluxe 2xCD gatefold edition features an eight-panel version of the same insert. "Beautiful, fucked-up mid-70s rock that's really not like anything else. A mélange of mersh/avant/blues/folk/rock/jazz shiteroo, Life and Death in Paradise is a most splendid anomaly with hints of everyone from Gram Parsons to Michael Hurley to the Welfare State... Allow it into your head, and it will blossom like the strange mushroom it is." - Byron Coley
Release date:
July 14, 2023
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Edifier R1280DB Powered Speakers
Combining classic design with modern Bluetooth connectivity, built-in amplification and versatile inputs, these speakers deliver rich, balanced sound.
-
Nobsound Little Bear T7 Tube Preamp
Delivers rich, warm audio through its high-quality vacuum tubes, featuring multiple inputs and adjustable gain
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
-
Vevor Ultrasonic Cleaner
Thoroughly clean and restore your vinyl records, removing dust, dirt, and grime from every groove without damaging the surface
-
Audioengine A2 Plus
Precision-engineered 2.75-inch woofers and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, featuring built-in DAC and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless integration.
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Hunny Spirit!
Epitaph
January 16, 2026 -
Bahamas My Second Last Album
Brushfire/Republic Records
October 24, 2025 -
Jane Inc A Rupture A Canyon A Birth (White)
Telephone Explosion Records
October 17, 2025 -
Sammy Hagar Sammy Hagar & The Best Of All Worlds Band (The Residency Amplified Lime/Reverb Blue) [2xLP]
Big Machine Rock
October 10, 2025 -
Ella Eyre Everything, in Time
Play It Again Sam
November 21, 2025 -
American Nightmare Year One: 25th Anniversary (Black & White Splatter)
Universal UK
December 12, 2025 -
The Barr Brothers Let it Hiss
Secret City Records
October 17, 2025 -
Michael Bublé It's Time 20th Anniversary [2xLP]
Reprise
October 10, 2025 -
Memphis May Fire Shapeshifter
Rise Records
October 31, 2025 -
JID God Does Like Ugly (Ruby 2Lp) (Amazon Exclusive) [2xLP]
Dreamville / Interscope
October 17, 2025 -
Internal Bleeding Settle All Scores
Maggot Stomp
October 17, 2025 -
Paul McCartney Wonderful Christmastime (Canary Yellow)
Capitol
October 31, 2025 -
Novembre Words Of Indigo
Peaceville
November 7, 2025 -
Mariel Buckley Strange Trip Ahead (Red)
Birthday Cake Media
October 17, 2025