Yes Super Deluxe Edition: 15-Disc Tales Box Set February 2026

(Image credit: David Warner Ellis/Redferns)

🎸 What Makes This Yes Super Deluxe Edition So Special

Rhino Entertainment has announced something extraordinary for prog rock enthusiasts. The Yes super deluxe edition of Tales From Topographic Oceans drops on February 6, 2026. This collection represents one of the most ambitious reissue projects in rock history. The boxed set spans an incredible 12 CDs, 2 LPs, and a Blu-ray disc.

What are fans getting in this massive package? The collection includes a newly remastered version of the original double album. You’ll find it on both CD and vinyl formats. Additionally, the set features rarities that have never seen official release. Previously unreleased studio recordings provide fascinating insight into the creative process. Several new mixes by renowned producer Steven Wilson add modern clarity. The collection also includes a Dolby Atmos version for immersive listening experiences.

Why should collectors care about this release? This represents the most comprehensive treatment of one of progressive rock’s most debated albums. The original 1973 release topped the UK album chart. It reached number six in the United States. The album earned Gold certification almost immediately. Now, more than 50 years later, technology reveals sonic details impossible to hear in the original mix.

📀 The Complete 15-Disc Package Breakdown

The Yes super deluxe edition contains carefully curated content across its 15 discs. Disc 1 features the original album remastered with “The Revealing Science Of God (Dance Of The Dawn)” and “The Remembering (High The Memory).” Disc 2 continues with “The Ancient (Giants Under The Sun)” and “Ritual (Nous Sommes du Soleil).” These tracks showcase the band’s virtuosity in extended compositions.

Steven Wilson’s 2026 remixes occupy Discs 3 and 4. These versions bring unprecedented clarity to each instrument. Discs 5 and 6 present instrumental mixes of all four epic tracks. Musicians can finally isolate and study the complex arrangements. Discs 7, 8, and 9 contain rare recordings including single edits and work-in-progress versions. These tracks reveal how the songs evolved during recording sessions.

Live performances fill Discs 10 through 12. Concerts from Zürich, Manchester, and Cardiff capture the band at their peak. The Blu-ray disc includes the Dolby Atmos mix, 5.1 surround sound in DTS-HD MA, and high-resolution stereo mixes. Two vinyl LPs provide the remastered album for analog enthusiasts. This comprehensive approach satisfies both digital and vinyl collectors.

🎛️ Steven Wilson’s Remix Magic Returns

Steven Wilson has become the go-to remixer for classic progressive rock albums. His work on previous Yes albums earned critical acclaim. The musician and producer brings modern mixing techniques to vintage recordings. However, he maintains respect for the original artistic vision. Wilson’s approach reveals hidden instrumental details without destroying the album’s character.

What makes Wilson’s remixes special for this Yes super deluxe edition? He worked with the original multitrack tapes from Morgan Studios. The recordings captured performances on Britain’s first 24-track console. Wilson separates instruments that previously blended together in the mix. Steve Howe’s intricate guitar work becomes more distinct. Rick Wakeman’s keyboard layers emerge with newfound clarity. Chris Squire’s melodic bass lines stand out prominently.

The Dolby Atmos version represents cutting-edge audio technology. This format places instruments and vocals in three-dimensional space. Listeners experience the music surrounding them from all directions. Jon Anderson’s ethereal vocals float overhead. Percussion elements move through the soundstage. The 5.1 surround mix offers similar benefits for home theater systems. These formats transform familiar songs into entirely new listening experiences.

📖 The Spiritual Journey Behind the Music

The album’s concept originated from an unlikely source. Jon Anderson discovered a footnote in Paramahansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi. The footnote described four bodies of Hindu texts called shastras. These ancient scriptures covered specific fields of knowledge. Anderson envisioned transforming these concepts into music. He pitched the ambitious idea to guitarist Steve Howe during their Close to the Edge tour.

How did the band develop this spiritual concept into music? Anderson and Howe spent the tour developing musical themes and lyrical content. They imagined four side-long compositions, one for each shastra. The band members included Anderson on vocals, Howe on guitar, Chris Squire on bass, Rick Wakeman on keyboards, and Alan White on drums. White had recently replaced original drummer Bill Bruford. Longtime producer Eddy Offord helped capture the band’s vision at Morgan Studios.

The recording process pushed technical boundaries for its era. The studio featured Britain’s first 24-track recording console. This technology allowed unprecedented separation of instruments. Each track ranged between 18 and 21 minutes in length. The band rehearsed for two months before recording. They wanted every moment to serve the larger spiritual narrative. The result challenged listeners to approach rock music differently.

🏆 How the Original Album Conquered Charts

Released on December 7, 1973, the album achieved remarkable commercial success. It became the first UK album to earn Gold certification based solely on pre-orders. The album topped the UK album chart for two weeks. In the United States, it reached number six on the Billboard 200. The album earned American Gold certification in 1974 for surpassing 500,000 copies sold.

Why did this ambitious double album sell so well? Yes had built tremendous momentum with previous releases. The Yes Album (1971) established their progressive credentials. Fragile (1971) gave them mainstream success with “Roundabout”. Close to the Edge (1972) proved they could handle extended compositions. Fans trusted the band to deliver something special. The elaborate Roger Dean cover art attracted attention in record stores. FM radio stations embraced the album’s ambitious scope.

The album’s success contradicted many critics’ negative reviews. Some critics called it self-indulgent and excessive. Others complained about the lengthy instrumental passages. Rick Wakeman himself expressed dissatisfaction with the project. Despite this criticism, fans connected with the music’s spiritual ambitions. The album demonstrated that classic rock artists could push boundaries successfully. Sales proved that audiences wanted challenging, conceptual music.

🎵 Never-Before-Heard Studio Sessions Revealed

The Yes super deluxe edition contains precious unreleased studio material. Work-in-progress versions of all four album tracks appear on the collection. These recordings provide rare insight into Yes’ creative process. Fans can hear how the songs evolved from initial ideas to finished masterpieces. Some versions feature different arrangements or alternate lyrics.

What makes these studio sessions so valuable? They reveal the band’s decision-making during recording. Listeners hear which musical ideas were kept or discarded. Instrumental passages went through multiple variations. The recordings demonstrate the tremendous effort required for such ambitious compositions. Some sections changed dramatically from early versions to the final mix. These alternate takes show the band’s perfectionist approach.

Single edits appear throughout the collection as well. These shortened versions were created for radio airplay. “The Revealing Science Of God (Dance Of The Dawn)” received particular attention. The single edit condenses 20 minutes into a more radio-friendly format. These edits required careful consideration of which sections to keep. They demonstrate how the band adapted their epic vision for commercial purposes.

🎤 Live Performances from the Historic 1973-74 Tour

The Yes super deluxe edition captures the band performing this material live. Recordings come from three important tour dates. The Zürich performance on April 21, 1974 showcases the band’s European reception. Manchester’s concert on November 28, 1973 occurred shortly after the album’s release. Cardiff’s December 1, 1973 show represents the tour’s early momentum.

These concerts feature all four album tracks performed in their entirety. The band also included earlier favorites like “And You And I” and “Close To The Edge.” Performing 80 minutes of new material represented a massive risk. The tour tested audience patience with such lengthy compositions. Some shows featured only the new album with Close to the Edge. Later concerts reintroduced older hits when audience reaction seemed mixed.

The live recordings reveal the band’s impressive musicianship under pressure. Playing such complex material without mistakes requires extraordinary skill. The recordings capture the energy of the performances. Audiences can hear how songs differed from studio versions. Some improvisational sections varied from night to night. These performances demonstrate why Yes earned their reputation as virtuoso performers. The tour ultimately led to Rick Wakeman’s departure from the band.

🖼️ Exclusive Roger Dean Signed Lithograph

Roger Dean’s artwork has become synonymous with Yes’ visual identity. His fantastical landscapes perfectly complement the band’s cosmic musical journeys. The original Tales From Topographic Oceans cover featured Dean’s surreal oceanscape imagery. The artwork captured the album’s spiritual and natural themes. Dean’s distinctive style made Yes albums instantly recognizable in record stores.

Rhino.com offers an exclusive bundle with this Yes super deluxe edition. Buyers receive a 12×12 inch lithograph numbered and signed by Roger Dean. Only 500 of these lithographs exist worldwide. This limited availability makes them highly collectible. The lithograph features artwork specifically created for this release. Dean has remained closely associated with Yes throughout their career. His involvement adds authenticity to this reissue project.

The expanded packaging includes restored artwork from the Roger Dean archive. Previously unseen material appears throughout the box set. The presentation maintains the original album’s visual aesthetic while adding new elements. Dean personally approved all artwork used in the collection. The packaging transforms the box set into a complete artistic statement. Collectors appreciate the attention to visual detail alongside the audio improvements.

💎 Why This Album Still Divides and Inspires Fans

Tales From Topographic Oceans remains one of progressive rock’s most debated albums. Some fans consider it Yes’ ultimate artistic achievement. Others view it as self-indulgent and unnecessarily lengthy. Writer Syd Schwartz addressed this division in the new liner notes. He wrote that “consensus was never the point” for this ambitious work. The album’s resistance to easy categorization became its defining characteristic.

What makes this album so polarizing? The four side-long tracks demand serious time investment from listeners. Each composition averages 20 minutes in length. The music requires active listening rather than casual background enjoyment. Some sections feature extended instrumental passages without obvious hooks. The spiritual concepts may seem obscure to listeners unfamiliar with Hindu philosophy. These factors challenged the expectations of even dedicated Yes fans.

However, the album’s influence on progressive rock cannot be denied. Schwartz noted that without this album, there would be no Relayer. The band’s later pivot to leaner song structures came from lessons learned here. Future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and Grammy winners emerged from this ambitious experiment. The album proved that major artists could take extraordinary creative risks. It inspired countless musicians to pursue their most ambitious artistic visions. The Yes super deluxe edition allows new generations to experience this controversial masterpiece.

🛒 How to Pre-Order Your Copy

The Yes super deluxe edition is available for pre-order now. The official release date is February 6, 2026. Multiple retailers offer the collection through their websites. Rhino.com provides the exclusive bundle with the Roger Dean signed lithograph. This bundle offers the best value for serious collectors. Remember that only 500 signed lithographs exist worldwide.

The collection offers something for every type of Yes fan. Vinyl enthusiasts get the remastered album on two 180-gram LPs. CD collectors receive 12 discs of comprehensive material. Technology fans can explore the Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround mixes on Blu-ray. The packaging includes extensive liner notes and rare photographs. This represents possibly the definitive version of this classic album.

A single edit preview is available now. “The Revealing Science Of God (Dance Of The Dawn)” can be streamed digitally. This preview gives fans a taste of Steven Wilson’s remix work. The preview demonstrates the improved clarity and separation of instruments. Early responses have been overwhelmingly positive from the progressive rock community. This Yes super deluxe edition promises to be one of 2026’s most significant reissues.

🎸 ESSENTIAL YES ALBUMS FOR YOUR COLLECTION 🎵

Charlie Gillingham

🎶 Retired, recharged, and rocking harder than ever — I’m Charlie Gillingham. Founder of Classic Rock Artists, I live for legendary riffs, timeless tracks, and the stories that keep them alive. Let’s turn it up and keep the classics rolling!

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