Most listeners were introduced to Mike Krol in 2015 with the release of his Merge debut, Turkey. Few knew at the time that Turkey was actually Chapter 3 of the Krol saga, and that he had selfreleased two records years earlier.

To the delight of his new legion of fans, Merge reissued those early albums as the 2017 collection Mike Krol Is Never Dead.

With that release, I Hate Jazz and Trust Fund found new life, and the inclusion of digital-only rarities led to fresh demand for this CD reissue.

Self-released on LP in 2011, I Hate Jazz was the opening salvo of World War Krol. Only 500 copies were pressed; they were given away to anyone who showed interest (and many who showed none whatsoever).

Including Krol classics like "Fifteen Minutes" and "Like a Star," the record had long been unavailable.

Trust Fund followed in 2013; its 500 LPs sold out on the ensuing tour, fueling a mini-mania that would elevate it to cult status.

Here's Krol on the new CD edition: One of the most frequent questions I get on tour is "Where can I get your first album on CD?" (second only to "So_ do you actually hate jazz?").

As a Compact Disc lover myself, I always assumed we were a dying breed, and that manufacturing this music on plastic would only fulfill the personal satisfaction I'd get from having my full discography lined up on a shelf.

But over time, the fans have spoken and demanded I make these albums available on CD. So here they are, with the rarely-seen-in-person full album art intact.

Completists, rejoice!