Inside Madfish Records: Ian Crockett on the Art of the Definitive Box Set

Inside Madfish Records: Ian Crockett on the Art of the Definitive Box Set

Author: Phil Aston May 7, 2026 Duration: 1:09:32

In this episode of the Now Spinning Magazine Podcast, I talk to Ian Crockett, consultant for Madfish Records and Snapper Music, about the art of creating truly definitive box sets.

We go behind the scenes of the new Sensational Alex Harvey Band set, discuss the detective work involved in finding rare tapes and memorabilia, and explore why Madfish has become such an important label for collectors of physical music.

Ian also talks about Wishbone Ash, Family, Gentle Giant, Steve Hillage, Caravan, Al Stewart, John Mayall, Horslips and more, while explaining why CD remains such an important format for large archival box sets.

For anyone who loves deluxe reissues, rare live recordings, signed editions, archive photography and physical music, this is a fascinating look under the bonnet of one of the most respected reissue labels in the world.

Music is the healer and the doctor. Keep spinning those discs.

Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine


Phil Aston brings the pages of Now Spinning Music Magazine-Artist Interviews and Music Reviews to life in this audio companion. Here, the focus remains firmly on the music itself and the artists who create it, championing a tangible connection to sound that goes beyond digital streams. Each episode delves into thoughtful conversations with musicians, exploring their creative processes and the stories behind their work. Alongside these interviews, you’ll find candid reviews of new releases and classic albums, all approached with an independent and honest perspective that values every format, from cherished vinyl records and CDs to elaborate box sets. This podcast extends the magazine’s global community, creating a space for enthusiasts of every genre and era. It’s for anyone who appreciates the artistry of an album as a complete physical object, not just a collection of tracks. Tune in for a deeply engaged discussion about music culture, where the passion for the material item and the music it contains is always at the forefront.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

Now Spinning Music Magazine - Artist Interviews and Music Reviews
Podcast Episodes
Danny Vaughn on Closer to the Sun – Hope, Heart & New Tyketto [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:29
In this episode of the Now Spinning Magazine Podcast, I’m joined once again by Danny Vaughn from Tyketto to talk about the band’s brand-new album Closer to the Sun. We explore the album track by track, the optimism and h…
Are CDs Really Dying? The Truth Inside Manufacturing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:16
“We’ve been saying for years — stop telling everyone that the CD is dead, because it’s not.”— Karen Emanuel OBE, Key ProductionIn this exclusive Music Biz Chat, Phil Aston from Now Spinning Magazine goes inside the physi…
YES – Tales From Topographic Oceans: The Definitive Box Set Reviewed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:26
Tales From Topographic Oceans by YES has always been an album that divides opinion — even among prog fans.In this video, I take a deep dive into the Super Deluxe “Definitive” Edition, exploring the packaging, the vinyl,…
Big Big Train – Woodcut: An Absolute Triumph in Modern PROG Rock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:09
Big Big Train return with Woodcut, their 16th studio album and second with vocalist Alberto Bravin — and it’s an absolute triumph.In this album review, I explore the album’s concept, musicianship, standout tracks and why…
Peter Goalby Interview: Uriah Heep Memories and a Final Lost Album [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:52
I’m More Famous Now Than When I Was Famous” — Peter Goalby’s Incredible ReturnI’m delighted to welcome back Peter Goalby — the voice many of you will remember from Uriah Heep, plus Trapeze and more.In this interview we d…
Pink Floyd, CD - Vinyl Formats & New Release News [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:39
In this episode of Music Biz Chat, I look at how Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here returned to Number One — 50 years after its original release — and what the sales breakdown reveals about vinyl, CD, Blu-ray, and physical…
Do You Own a Music Collection… or a Library? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:55
Do you have a music collection… or do you have a music library?In this special Now Spinning Magazine feature, I explore why the words we use to describe our records, CDs, and box sets really matter. This isn’t just about…
How Music Helps People With Dementia - Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:49
In this special Now Spinning Magazine conversation, I talk to Amy Shackleton and Lizzie Hoskin from Music for Dementia about practical, hopeful ways to reconnect people living with dementia — and their carers — to the mu…