Michael Hampton Will Release King Kong on CD and Vinyl
The guitarist's new album adapts the classic story through spoken narration and instrumental tracks.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in World
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Michael Hampton will release his new album, King Kong, on CD and green-vinyl LP on October 2, 2026. The project is already available to listeners on digital streaming platforms.
Why it matters
This release serves as the inaugural entry in a new album series from Hampton on Sound Mind Records. It highlights a unique creative approach that combines spoken narration with instrumental storytelling.
Hampton previously appeared on 30 major-label releases throughout his career. He also performed 400 shows across 25 countries while playing with Parliament-Funkadelic.
The players
Michael Hampton
He is a guitarist best known for his extensive tenure with the legendary funk collective Parliament-Funkadelic.
Joe Nicolo
He is a music producer who oversaw the recording and production process for the new album.
The details
Produced by Joe Nicolo, the album was recorded using solo performances captured on tour and supplemental studio sessions. It features collaborations with musicians including Mitch Beer, Louie Diller, Micke LaBombard, Chelsea Viacava, Mare Floyd, and Brandon Pane.
Timeline
Michael Hampton joined Parliament-Funkadelic in 1974.
By 2025, Hampton had appeared on 30 major-label releases.
The King Kong CD and vinyl editions will release on October 2, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The choice to release this album on green-vinyl LP follows a growing trend of artists leveraging collectible physical formats to engage fans. This positions Hampton's new series within a broader industry shift that prioritizes physical media as a premium component of artist catalogs.
Fans can currently access the album through digital streaming platforms while waiting for the physical release. The upcoming CD and green-vinyl editions will offer listeners a tangible way to collect the new work.
The takeaway
Hampton continues to expand his creative output after decades of experience with Parliament-Funkadelic. Fans of guitar-driven, narrative-based music can now anticipate the physical arrival of this series starting in October.
What happens next
Future entries in this album series from Michael Hampton are planned and will be made available in digital, CD, and vinyl formats.
Further reading
Explore more about current global music releases in our World section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
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