David Bowie’s ‘Lost’ Album ‘Toy’ Set for Official Release

Twenty years after its original proposed release, David Bowie‘s 2001 album Toy, which was never officially released, will be made available on Jan. 7.

After his performance at the 2000 Glastonbury Festival, Bowie returned to the studio with his band to record reworked versions of songs he first recorded between 1964-71. At the time, the idea was to record the tracks live, choose the best takes and release a “surprise” album as quickly as possible — a promotional concept that, like many things Bowie did, was several years ahead of its time.

After some disputes between Bowie and his label, the album, Toy, was subsequently shelved, though bootleg copies leaked online in 2011.

Toy will now be included in the upcoming Era Five: Brilliant Adventure box – the fifth installment of the late singer’s series of career-collecting sets, which is due for release on Nov. 26 of this year. Era Five will cover the years 1992-2001 and include newly remastered versions of Black Tie White Noise, The Buddha of Suburbia, 1. Outside, Earthling and ‘Hours … ‘, plus an expanded live album, BBC Radio Theatre, London, June 27, 2000 and Re:Call 5, a collection of non-album, alternative version, B-sides and soundtrack songs.

An 84-page book will include rare photos, as well as technical notes about the albums from producers and engineers Brian Eno, Nile Rodgers, Reeves Gabrels and Mark Plati.