NOW That's What I Call Music 5 - Various Artists (Virgin / EMI) (1985)

For my final offering today we skip a volume and head straight to the 1985 summer release for NOW 5.

Again the album reached a peak of number one in the summer for 5 weeks on release 5th August 1985.

The album originally only contained one number one represented by Sister Sledge's ode to Sinatra - "Frankie".

Record 1 Side 1

1. Duran Duran - A View To A Kill
2. Scritti Politti - The Word Girl
3. Harold Faltermeyer - Axel F
4. Fine Young Cannibals - Johnny Come Home
5. Dead Or Alive - In Too Deep
6. Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy - Icing On The Cake
7. Kool & The Gang - Cherish
8. Paul Young - Everytime You Go Away

Record 1 Side 2

1. Marillion - Kayleigh
2. Bryan Ferry - Slave To Love
3. David Bowie & The Pat Metheny Group - This Is Not America
4. Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me)
5. The Power Station - Get It On
6. China Crisis - Black Man Ray
7. Phil Collins - One More Night

Record 2 Side 1

1. Sister Sledge - Frankie
2. Mai Tai - History
3. Simply Red - Money's Too Tight (To Mention)
4. Steve Arrington - Feel So Real
5. Jaki Graham - Round And Around
6. The Conway Brothers - Turn It Up
7. Loose Ends - Magic Touch
8. Paul Hardcastle - 19*

Record 2 Side 2

1. U2 - The Unforgettable Fire
2. The Style Council - Walls Come Tumbling Down
3. Katrina & The Waves - Walking On Sunshine
4. Gary Moore & Phil Lynott - Out In The Fields
5. The Damned - The Shadow Of Love
6. Howard Jones - Life In One Day
7. Jimmy Nail - Love Don't Live Here Anymore



*Again I have done my best to emulate the original pressing as best I can. Unfortunately (or not depending on your taste) I've not been able to find a digital copy or otherwise of The Commentators parody single "N-N-Nineteen (Not Out) which was based on Paul Hardcastle's seminal "19" (peaking at number one just prior to NOW 5's release). In it's place I have added "19". Although not an accurate portrait of NOW 5, I personally think that "19" only adds to the greatness that is Record 2 Side 1.

Link : https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B83_lcjOnQkKU1lUa3BvMG5Xd0k&usp=sharing

NOW That's What I Call Music 3 - Various Artists (Virgin / EMI) (1984)

Following on from Volume 2 what else were you expecting next?

Capitalising on the previous two volumes, NOW 3 was released in the scorching summer of 1984 - on the 23rd of July to be exact...

It kind of goes without saying that the album topped the UK charts - for an almighty 8 weeks at that.
Only containing 3 number ones, the reason being that one of them, Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "Two Tribes" had a stranglehold on the peak position for a staggering 9 weeks. The others were Duran Duran and Wham!

Volume 3 was the first of many volumes to incorporate the now infamous balls (behave!) and lighting streak motif that became synonymous with the brand through the 80's and into the early 90's.

It was released on double album / cassette, video selection and laserdisc.

Again the edits included on this album are replicated to be identical if not exactly the same as those on the original pressing.

Record 1 Side 1

1. Duran Duran - The Reflex
2. Nik Kershaw - I Won't Let Sun Go Down On Me
3. Sister Sledge - Thinking Of You
4. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Locomotion
5. Ultravox - Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
6. Howard Jones - Pearl In The Shell
7. Blancmange - Don't Tell Me
8. Phil Collins - Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)

Record 1 Side 2

1. Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Two Tribes
2. Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - White Lines (Don't Do It)
3. Special AKA - Nelson Mandela
4. Womack & Womack - Love Wars
5. The Style Council - You're The Best Thing
6. Bob Marley & The Wailers - One Love / People Get Ready
7. Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy

Record 2 Side 1

1. Queen - I Want To Break Free
2. Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
3. Alison Moyet - Love Resurrection
4. The Bluebells - Young At Heart
5. Bananarama - Robert De Niro's Waiting
6. Propaganda - Dr. Mabuse
7. Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It
8. The Flying Pickets - When You're Young And In Love

Record 2 Side 2

1. Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go
2. Thompson Twins - You Take Me Up
3. The Weather Girls - It's Raining Men
4. Gary Glitter - Dance Me Up
5. The Art Company - Susanna
6. Madness - One Better Day
7. David Sylvian - Red Guitar



Link : https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B83_lcjOnQkKODJ5Uy1LYS03c3M&usp=sharing

NOW That's What I Call Music II - Various Artists (Virgin / EMI) (1984)

So today I've decided to head back to the 80's for another trip down memory lane.

NOW, That's What I Call Music II (or NOW 2) was released on the 26th March 1984.
Following on from the major success of the first volume released in December of the previous year, NOW 2 became an even bigger success than it's predecessor. Reaching a peak position of number 1 on the UK chart and staying there for 5 weeks, NOW II was released as a double album / cassette along with a video selection (VHS and Betamax) and finally on laserdisc.

This volume was the first to be compiled by Ashley Abram who carried out the task in hand right up to NOW 81.

The purpose of posting this is because so many NOW fans have repeatedly requested for the first 9 volumes to be reissued but to no avail from the NOW team...

Most of the tracks are identical to the edits used on the original pressing, only a minority are slightly longer than those used. If you can't tell which ones then it's a job done good,

Enjoy!

Record 1 Side 1

1. Queen - Radio Ga Ga
2. Nik Kershaw - Wouldn't It Be Good
3. Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now
4. Matt Bianco - Get Out Of Your Lazy Bed
5. Carmel - More, More, More
6. Madness - Michael Caine
7. The Flying Pickets - Only You

Record 1 Side 2

1. Nena - 99 Red Balloons
2. Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
3. Tracey Ullman - My Guy
4. Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride
5. Julia & Company - Breakin' Down (Sugar Samba)
6. Joe Fagin - That's Living Alright
7. Hot Chocolate - I Gave You My Heart (Didn't I)
8. Snowy White - Bird Of Paradise

Record 2 Side 1

1. Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax
2. Eurythmics - Here Comes The Rain Again
3. Howard Jones - What Is Love
4. The Smiths - What Difference Does It Make
5. Fiction Factory - Feels Like Heaven
6. Re-Flex - The Politics Of Dancing
7. Thomas Dolby - Hyperactive!
8. China Crisis - Wishful Thinking

Record 2 Side 2

1. David Bowie - Modern Love
2. Culture Club - It's A Miracle
3. The Rolling Stones - Undercover Of The Night
4. Big Country - Wonderland
5. Slade - Run Runaway
6. Duran Duran - New Moon On Monday
7. Paul McCartney - Pipes Of Piece



Link : https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B83_lcjOnQkKV0lTYzd2QWFIenM&usp=sharing

1990 Alternative Anthems - Part I : Urban / Soul (Various Artists / 1990)

Howdy Peeps!

First part of a double whammy for today. After having a scout through the old collection yesterday I found absolutely tons of old classics from yester-year. From 26 years ago to be precise - doesn't time fly?!!!!!

1990 was the year I left school to become a fully fledged adult (of sorts). At the time I had just started my first of many stints with HMV and my taste expanded rapidly. 1990 was the year that music exploded in every direction with everything from the Manchester scene kicking into gear to the rave scene going overground and becoming a force to be reckoned with.

I've split the two parts into distinctive themes as everyone has their own preferences from way back... This has been a great nostalgia trip for me today, I hope it is for you as well...

Much love & cwtches, xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

dj'aead

First up, let's make it funky...

1. The Adventures Of Stevie V - Dirty Cash (Dime & Dollar 12" Mix)
2. Beats International - Won't Talk About It (12" Version)
3. The Chimes - Heaven (Intense Music)
4. Was (Not Was) - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
5. Living Color - Love Rears It's Ugly Head (Soulpower Mix)
6. Bobby Brown - Every Little Step (Extended Version)
7. Chad Jackson - Hear The Drummer (Get Wicked)
8. Neneh Cherry - I've Got You Under My Skin (In Deep Mix)
9. Soul II Soul - Jazzie's Groove (Remix)
10. Mantronix Featuring Wondress - Take Your Time (Club / Dub)
11. JT And The Big Family - Moments In Soul
12. The Family Stand - Ghetto Heaven (Extended Version)
13. Bell Biv Devoe - Poison
14. Jamie J. Morgan - Walk On The Wild Side (Extended Version)
15. Queen Latifah - Mama Gave Birth To The Soul Children
16. Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe - The Masterplan
17. The Jungle Brothers - What U Waitin' 4
18. The Chimes - Heaven (Summer Breeze)




Link : https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B83_lcjOnQkKRDEtTFdqYXUta3c&usp=sharing

1990 Alternative Anthems - Part II : Indie (Various Artists / 1990)

Part II covers the more indie / underground / baggy side of 1990...

Enjoy!

1. The Shamen - Hyperreal (Orbit)
2. Primal Scream - Come Together (Terry Farley Mix)
3. The Soup Dragons - Mother Universe
4. James - Come Home (Extended Flood Mix)
5. The Stone Roses - Fools Gold 9.53
6. Happy Mondays - Step On (Oakenfold Remix)
7. That Petrol Emotion - Hey Venus (Mad Thatcher Disease Mix)
8. The Soup Dragons - I'm Free (Long Version)
9. Soho - Hippychick (Extended Version)
10. Coldcut Featuring Queen Latifah - Find A Way
11. The Beloved - Hello (Honky Tonk)
12. 808 State - Cubik (Original)
13. Nine Inch Nails - Head Like A Hole (Opal)
14. LFO - LFO



Link : https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B83_lcjOnQkKLTBRZEstbWdVMlU&usp=sharing

All Mixed Up! Volume 8: Depeche Mode (1981 - 1994 / Mute)

The best remixes of Depeche Mode 1981 - 1994 makes for an unexpected change of track for the AMU series. Volume 8 brings together the best of their 12" works / remixes from all the singles. Starting with debut "Dreaming Of Me" from 1981 and working through to 1994's "In Your Room" from my all time favourite album of theirs "Songs Of Faith & Devotion", there is a treasure trove of mixes here...

These mixes and a colossal amount of others can be found on their DMBX 1 - 6 box sets...

There's a bonus track of a 34 minute Mecha-Mix included as well.
What more could you want?!!!

There will be a few more posts coming in the next few days so keep your eyes and ears peeled...

Enjoy!

Disc 1:

1. Dreaming Of Me
2. New Life (Remix)
3. Just Can't Get Enough (Schizo Mix)
4. See You (Extended Version)
5. The Meaning Of Love (Fairly Odd Mix)
6. Leave In Silence (Longer)
7. Get The Balance Right (Combination Mix)
8. Everything Counts (In Larger Amounts)
9. Love In Itself 3
10. People Are People (Different Mix)
11. Master & Servant (Slavery Whip Mix)
12. Blasphemous Rumours
13. Somebody (Remix)
14. Shake The Disease (Remixed Extended)
15. Something To Do (Metal Mix)
16. Fly On The Windscreen (Extended)
17.But Not Tonight (Extended)
18. It's Called A Heart (Extended)

Disc 2:

1. Stripped (Highland Mix)
2. A Question Of Lust (Minimal)
3. Black Celebration (Black Tulip Mix)
4. A Question Of Time (New Town Remix / Live Mix)
5. Strangelove (Maxi Mix)
6. Never Let Me Down Again (Split Mix)
7. Behind The Wheel (Shep Pettibone Mix)
8. Little 15
9. Personal Jesus (Holier Than Thou Approach)
10. Enjoy The Silence (Hands & Feet Mix)
11. Policy Of Truth (Beat Box)
12. Happiest Girl (Kiss-A-Mix)
13. World In My Eyes (Oil Tank Mix)
14. I Feel You (Renegade Soundwave Afghan Surgery Mix)
15, Walking In My Shoes (Grungy Gonads Mix)
16. Condemnation (Paris Mix)
17. Rush (Amylnitrate Mix)
18. In Your Room (Zephyr Mix)

Bonus Track:

19. The Mecha-Mix - (34 minutes)



Link :

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B83_lcjOnQkKWGhTWDgxY3NOU1k&usp=sharing

Herb Alpert Featuring Janet Jackson With Lisa Keith - Diamonds / Making Love In The Rain (1987 / A&M)

Following on from my previous post many of you hawk-eyed Janet aficionado's may have noted one omission that was released between "Let's Wait Awhile" & "The Pleasure Principle"...

"Diamonds".

Released on the 14th March 1987 "Diamonds" was the 2nd release from Herb Alpert's "Keep Your Eye On Me" album. It followed the title track into the UK top 30 hitting a peak of 27. The track was a much bigger hit in the US where it peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the US Dance / Club Charts.

"Making Love In The Rain" was the third and final single from the same album and features Lisa Keith on main vocal with Janet on backing. The track failed to crack the top 40 in the UK and was a moderate hit reaching number 35 on the Billboard 100.

Final track "Keep Your Eye On Me" was released as the lead single from the album and was the most successful of the three released in the UK hitting the Top 10 on release.

All three tracks were produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, long time collaborators with Miss Jackson.

Herb also featured on the "Cool Summer Mixes" of Janet's "Nasty" and is a co-founder of A&M Records - Janet's first label.



1. Diamonds (Dance Mix)
2. Diamonds (Instrumental)
3. Diamonds (Beats Dubcapella)
4. Diamonds (Cool Summer Dance Mix)
5. Diamonds (Dub Version)
6. Diamonds (7" Edit)
7. Diamonds (Cool Summer Mix)
8. Making Love In The Rain (7" Remix)
9. Making Love In The Rain (Extended Version)
10. Keep Your Eye On Me (Extended Version)

Link : https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B83_lcjOnQkKcVZnbU5ORF96NkE&usp=sharing

Janet Jackson - Control - 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (A&M / 1986)

Time to break away from the club anthems for a while and on to something else...

Janet Jackson's "Control" was released on the 4th February 1986 and was preceded by the first single "What Have You Done For Me Lately" in January of the same year. That was when I first heard of Michael's relatively (to me anyway) unknown younger sister. On first hearing the single I was blown away as it was a millions miles away from "Thriller" in musical terms - in addition to being like nothing else around at the time either...

Then a couple of months later following the release of "Nasty" & "When I Think Of You" I managed to get my first listen of what I thought was Janet's first album - it might as well have been as her two previous releases, the eponymous "Janet Jackson" & "Dream Street" caused barely a ripple in the UK. It simply blew my mind! Tracks bordering on epic length, interludes, ass shaking beats and an unmistakable attitude that confirmed that Ms. Jackson had truly found her feet and was about to become a force to be reckoned with (how little we knew at time)...

Although the album contains only 9 tracks it spawned 7 top  60 UK hits (6 in the US of which 5 hit the Billboard Top 5). The tracks were released as follows (UK chart positions) :

What Have You Done For Me Lately (#3)
Nasty (#19)
When I Think Of You (#10)
Control (#42)
Let's Wait Awhile (#3)
The Pleasure Principle (#24)
Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun) (#59)

But that's not all. Each respective single (with the exception of "Funny..." which didn't have one) came with spectacular visuals, the sharpest choreography and Miss Jackson centre stage - she was (and still is) mesmerising....

The album reached the milestone of hitting it's 30th anniversary this year and so far there hasn't been any talk of re-releasing it as a deluxe edition - that's where I come in...
I've attempted to put together a definitive collection of this absolute masterpiece which includes the original studio recording alongside a plethora of mixes from the original 12" releases.
Further to this I've also included several mixes that were released at the time of "Design Of A Decade 1986 - 96". I've also included the stand alone single "Start Anew" that was released in Japan only in 1985 and was to be considered as part of the "Control" album prior to release but was eventually dropped from the tracklisting.

Finally, you can view Miss Jackson in all her glory as there are links to 5 of the videos released from 'Control'

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do...

Disc 1 : The Original Studio Album



1. Control
2. Nasty
3. What Have You Done For Me Lately
4. You Can Be Mine
5. The Pleasure Principle
6. When I Think Of You
7. He Doesn't Know I'm Alive
8. Let's Wait Awhile
9. Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)

Bonus Track :

10. Start Anew (Stand Alone Single - Japan Only 1985 Release)

Disc 2 : The Original 12" Mixes




1. Start Anew (Extended)
2. What Have You Done For Me Lately (Extended Version)
3. Nasty (Extended)
4. When I Think Of You (Dance Remix)
5. Nasty (Cool Summer Mix - Part One)
6. Control (Extended Version)
7. Let's Wait Awhile (Remix)
8. The Pleasure Principle (The Shep Pettibone Long Vocal Remix)
9. Nasty (Cool Summer Mix - Part Two)
10. Control (The Video Mix)

Disc 3 : The Original Edit / Dub / Accapella Mixes



1. What Have You Done For Me Lately (Edit)
2. What Have You Done For Me Lately (Accapella)
3. What Have You Done For Me Lately (Dub Mix)
4. Nasty (7" Edit Of The Remix)
5. Nasty (Accapella)
6. Nasty (Instrumental)
7. When I Think Of You (Extra Beats)
8. Control (Edit)
9. Control (Dub Mix)
10. Control (Accapella)
11. The Pleasure Principle (The Shep Pettibone Dub Edit)
12. The Pleasure Principle (Accapella)
13. The Pleasure Principle (The Shep Pettibone 7" Edit)

Disc 4 : '95 Remixes



1. When I Think Of You (David Morales House Mix '95 7" Mix)
2. When I Think Of You (David Morales Classic Club Mix)
3. When I Think Of You (David Morales Jazzy Mix UK Edit)
4. The Pleasure Principle (Legendary Radio Mix)
5. The Pleasure Principle (Legendary Club Mix)
6. The Pleasure Principle (Nu Flava Vocal Dub)
7. The Pleasure Principle (Banji Dub)
8. The Pleasure Principle (D.T. Twilo Dub)
9. When I Think Of You (Deep Dish Chocolate City Mix)
10. When I Think Of You (Deep Dish Quiet Storm Dub)
11. When I Think Of You (Dished Out Bums)

The Videos :

What Have You Done For Me Lately
Nasty
When I Think Of You
Control
The Pleasure Principle


Link : https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B83_lcjOnQkKUXMxaVFlemlYU28&usp=sharing