Brian May “Star Fleet Project” feat Eddie Van Halen Set For Release

Brian May is set to release an expanded version of his 1983 EP Star Fleet Project on July 14.

The Queen guitarist originally released the 3-track mini-album under the group name Brian May + Friends which includes Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alan Gratzer, bassist Phil Chen, and keyboardist Fred Mandel.

The Star Fleet Project was recorded over two days at The Record Plant in Los Angeles, CA. The title track was inspired by May’s idea of reimagining the signature tune from the Japanese kid’s science fiction series of the same name which he watches regularly with his four-year-old son Jimmy every Saturday morning.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the EP, May will release a reissue box dubbed Star Fleet Sessions. The expanded box set edition will include 2023 remixes of the original three songs and a new single version of the title track alongside interviews and live recordings from the era – plus 23 tracks of previously-unreleased material. The guitarist wrote in his introductory sleeve notes:

“We are going to give you everything… every take of every song, the things that went wrong, the laughing, the finding new things to do.
“But it won’t be just a remaster – we’ve rescued everything from the original multitracks, every detail magnificently remixed, and more! You’ll hear every take from the historic 1983 sessions plus fragments of conversations, out-takes and musical experimentation.”

He added:

“It’s been very exciting to open up the vault to find these tapes where, in the blink of an eye, I’m trading licks with my friends including the fantastic Ed Van Halen.
“It’s highly emotional, especially since Ed is sadly no longer around. We have since also lost Phil – so the rest of us cherish these fleeting moments together.”

Brian May + Friends: Star Fleet Sessions contains 2 CDs, 1 vinyl LP, and a vinyl single, as well as other collector’s items. It will be launched as a Deluxe Edition box set, worldwide on July 14th.

A separate exclusive 7” double A-side single, also available on CD comes the same day featuring newly mixed single versions of “Star Fleet” and “Let Me Out.” A special red vinyl version will be available exclusively through the official Queen Online store and is available to pre-order.

It also includes a special stand-alone digital single, “Star Fleet (Edited Single Version)” which is already available for streaming and digital download.