When Phil Collins took over lead vocals for Genesis in 1975 (in place of Peter Gabriel), a new era began for the band. A period when Genesis found more mainstream success as they transitioned from Progressive Rock to more Pop Rock; by 1986, they were topping charts with the mega album Invisible Touch. A record that produced five singles that reached the top five on the US Billboard Hot 100, some might argue that Collins’ blossoming solo career was a driving force in Genesis’ success.
A truly unique voice with a distinctive tone and broad emotional range, Collins sought a different creative outlet outside Genesis to write songs, so when the band took a brief break in 1981, he released the solo album Face Value. A massive hit, the album peaked at Number 7 on the US Billboard 200 and produced the iconic hit “In the Air Tonight.” A great first outing for Collins on his own, he followed it up with another strong effort in 1982, coming in the form of Hello, I Must Be Going! which hit number 8 on the US Billboard 200 and produced memorable singles like “I Don’t Care Anymore,” and a great cover of The Supremes’ classic “You Can’t Hurry Love.”
On a roll, Collins remained busy, also teaming with Earth, Wind, and Fire’s Philip Bailey for his 1984 solo album Chinese Wall (which featured the sensational collaborative song “East Lover” while he also worked with Eric Clapton for his 1985 album Behind the Sun. Never intending to leave Genesis, amidst all of this activity, he also found the time to work on his own album, the result of which was his most successful ever, 1985’s No Jacket Required.
Conceived from the spring to early winter of 1984, No Jacket Required would go on to become the second-best album of 1985 after its release on February 18th of that year. A sensational record with a ton of interesting aspects, including guest backing vocals from the likes of Peter Gabriel, Sting, and Helen Terry (known for her work with Culture Club), the album had four hit singles, two which hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (“Sussudio” and “One More Night”), “Don’t Lose My Number” (which made it to number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100), and the stunning “Take Me Home” (which peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100).
A success story that included three Grammy Awards, you can trace it all back to Collins’ impossible-to-denial songwriting skills (which combined melody, catchiness, and heart) with production that genuinely stood out (especially in terms of the drums and vocals). Altogether, it is an album for the ages, and as it celebrates 40 years, several plans unfold.
To begin with, the album was reissued in September 2025 as a 4LP vinyl box set called No Jacket Required (Fully Tailored), which includes a remaster and bonus live and rare tracks. This was in coordination with a separate Blu-ray audio disc release featuring new Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround sound mixes by Steven Wilson. On top of this, you also have the brand new limited-edition vinyl reissue of the EP 12″ers.
Looking at this unique reissue, the special edition vinyl release of 12″ers arrives as a Black Friday Record Store Day 2025 exclusive on November 28th through Atlantic Records. Limited to 3,500 copies, it marks the first time these extended remixes have been offered on vinyl, with the majority previously available only on CD back in 1987. Explaining further, this new vinyl EP gives you six tracks remixed between 1985 and 1987 from No Jacket Required by Collins’ co-producer for the album, Hugh Padgham, along with John ‘Tokes’ Potoker.
Offering unique perspectives on Collins’ songs (especially the ones everyone had heard over and over again on the radio, like “Take Me Home,” “Sussudio,” “Don’t Lose My Number,” and “One More Night”), there was also a new spin on “Only You Know And I Know.” Making this 2025 edition on wax even more special, while including each of these 12″ mixes, it also marks the first time anyone can find a remix of the track “Who Said I Would” as well.
Pressed to a single, extremely sturdy 140-gram classic black vinyl, the front art mirrors the original CD, the back features an alternative photo of Collins, and lists the extra track. Altogether a great collector’s piece for Phil Collins fans that celebrates 40 years of No Jacket Required, Cryptic Rock gives the 2025 Limited Edition vinyl edition of 12”ers, 5 out of 5 stars.
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