Robin Trower – For Earth Below (50th Anniversary Edition) – CD & Vinyl Review
Originally released in early 1975, Robin Trower’s third solo album For Earth Below followed hot on the heels of his critically acclaimed Bridge of Sighs. Now, 50 years later, it’s back in the spotlight with a beautifully curated 4CD Deluxe Box Set and a brand-new 2LP Vinyl Edition. But how does it stack up next to its predecessor—and is it worth adding to your collection? Let’s take a look…
Packaging & Presentation
The 50th Anniversary treatment for For Earth Below is, thankfully, a fitting tribute. The 4CD deluxe box set features:
A 2024 remaster of the original album
A brand-new 2025 stereo remix
A treasure trove of rarities, outtakes, and BBC sessions
An astonishing never-before-released live show from the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, recorded in March 1975
The accompanying 24-page booklet is packed with archive photos, tape boxes, and an insightful essay by David Sinclair. The presentation mirrors the previous Bridge of Sighs set, though without a Blu-ray disc this time around.
Meanwhile, the double vinyl version—featuring the remaster and remix across two LPs—the inner sleeves includes more of the essay and some truly evocative photos of Robin.
The Sound – Remaster vs Remix
The 2024 remaster sounds excellent—but it’s the 2025 stereo remix that transforms this release into something special.
Tracks like “It’s Only Money” and “For Earth Below” feel reborn. The remix unearths nuances in the rhythm section, expands the spatial dynamics, and brings Trower’s tone into richer focus. “For Earth Below,” in particular, is stunning—its soundstage reimagined, the emotional ache in Trower’s playing fully realised. It’s a reminder of how much depth and grace his guitar work carries. I call it “the note that aches.”
Rare Gems & Essential Extras
What really pushes this box set into essential territory are the extras:
Disc 3 includes an 18-minute instrumental rehearsal jam—a wild, jazz-fusion-flavoured excursion that’s as close as we’ve ever heard Trower go full improvisational. Possibly recorded while trialing drummer Bill Lordan, it also features Matthew Fisher (ex-Procol Harum) on Hammond organ.
Disc 4 features a previously unreleased full live concert from 1975 at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles. This is an absolute revelation. Tracks like “Day of the Eagle,” “Lady Love,” and “Confessin’ Midnight” crackle with intensity. It’s not just a bonus—it’s a vital performance that elevates this package significantly.
Comparisons & Context
Compared to the Bridge of Sighs anniversary edition, this set lacks a Blu-ray and surround mix, but compensates with that incredible live set and the experimental rehearsal jam. Twice Removed From Yesterday, by contrast, only received a more modest 2CD/2LP treatment.
Trower once said this album was created under pressure, perhaps lacking the creative breathing room its predecessor enjoyed. Yet listening now—especially in remix form—For Earth Below has aged remarkably well.
Final Verdict
Highly recommended. The remix breathes new life into an album that deserves more recognition. The 4CD box is essential for fans, not just for the remix but for the extraordinary instrumental jam and live gig. The vinyl is a solid addition, but if you can only pick one, go for the CD box.
Trower is still out there performing today, his sound as heartfelt and unique as ever. This release reminds us why we’re still listening.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
