Back catalogue: All genres

Review: The 1981 debut of Altered Images, Happy Birthday, encapsulates early 80s new wave charm, highlighted by the infectious title track which was produced by the legendary Martin Rushent and proved a massive smash hit single. Altered Images are a Scottish new wave/post-punk band who found success in the early 1980s, fronted by singer Clare Grogan, mainly successful between 1981 to 1983. This deluxe 2CD set offers a nostalgic deep dive, featuring the original album and a bonus CD packed with rare gems. The bonus disc includes the non-album 'Dead Pop Stars,' five B-sides, an extended version of 'Happy Birthday,' and rare tracks from a FlexiPop magazine flexi-disc. Presented in a 7" deluxe gatefold packaging, this set also includes an 8-page booklet with complete lyrics and credits. This reissue captures the playful yet edgy spirit of Altered Images' seminal release. Whether you are a long time fan or interested in getting to know them, this is a great place to step into their sound and enjoy a comprehensive look at their first songs.

Review: Until he quit the music industry in the mid-1990s, Shep Pettibone was the most in-demand remixer on the planet - a position he'd held since the late 1970s. This four-disc compilation does a great job of showcasing some of his greatest remixes, all of which are presented in full-length form. There's naturally plenty of versions of big pop singles of the '80s - see the epic 'Mastermix' of Pet Shop Boys' 'West End Girls', as well as rubs of Duran Duran, New Order, Whitney Houston and Belinda Carlisle - as well as a sprint through his celebrated disco and boogie reworks (see disc four). In addition, you'll find versions of some lesser-celebrated gems from the freestyle-era, including heavyweight revisions of Sinammon, Alisha, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam and The Flirts.

Review: After launching the Dance Masters series with a much-needed trawl through the remixography of the great Shep Pettibone, Arthur Baker has now turned his attention to his own sprawling catalogue of productions and remixes. Stretched over four discs in order to present full-length, DJ-friendly mixes, the collection does a great job in showcasing Baker's immense achievements in the 1980s and 90s. Naturally, his most celebrated productions and remixes are present - see his versions of Fleetwood Mac's 'Big Love', which became Balearic anthems, Afrika Bambaata and Soulsonic Force's genuinely game-changing 'Planet Rock', Freez's 'I.O.U', Rockers Revenge's 'Walking on Sunshine' and New Order's 'Confusion' - alongside a swathe of forgotten, overlooked and harder to find revisions.

Review: There's a certain drama in the air when the beats kick in with an instant jolt of energy that doesn't let up. The tracks on the second album on Pete Burns-fronted crew are an exuberant mix of bold melodies and infectious rhythms, blending sharp pop with a cheeky edge. You'll know their massive SAW-produced SMASH 'You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)', but the group's unmistakable sense of theatre shines through, with each track feeling like a mini anthem. Whether it's the larger-than-life production or the slightly over-the-top flair, the sound remains unapologetically fun. It's pop at its most playful, wrapped in an unmistakable 80s glow that still carries weight today.

Review: The Pete Hammond Hi-NRG Remixes presents a nostalgic journey into the classic 80s sound with 11 tracks from Dead Or Alive, expertly remixed by Pete 'Mixmaster' Hammond. Renowned for his work with the band's later recordings, Hammond breathes new life into these tracks with throwback Hi-NRG remixes. Originally issued as a 2LP colored vinyl set for Record Store Day, this project is now available as a 2CD set, catering to both RSD enthusiasts and CD aficionados. These remixes reimagine newer songs in the style of the 1980s, offering a retro take on their original sound. Included in the album are fresh remixes of hits like 'Hit And Run Lover' alongside the 2000 remix of the iconic 'You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)'. Each track is meticulously re-played and reworked by Hammond, capturing the essence of the era and paying homage to Dead Or Alive's iconic sound.

Review: Demon Records honors Tom Baker's iconic portrayal of the Time Lord with a new 4xCD set, nearly five decades after his unforgettable debut on 28 December 1974. The Tom Baker Collection offers fans a blend of classic audio dramas, rare interviews, and readings by Baker himself, capturing him in the iconic role as Fourth Doctor. The collection includes Genesis of the Daleks, the original 1979 album version of the much-loved TV serial, and Doctor Who and the Pescatons, the exclusive audio drama from 1976. Also featured is Exploration Earth: The Time Machine, a special production for BBC Schools Radio in 1976, along with The State of Decay, an audiobook reading from 1982, available on CD for the first time. The set is rounded out by Tom Baker in His Own Words, a compilation of BBC radio interviews from the 1970s and 1980s. Packaged in a deluxe gatefold cover with striking Fourth Doctor artwork, the set includes four CDs in individual sleeves, along with a full-color booklet detailing cast, credits, and track listings. This collection is an essential tribute to one of Doctor Who's most beloved eras.

Review: As The Who blazed their trail in the tumultuous sixties, John Entwistle, known as The Ox, showcased his prowess not just as a bassist but also as a skilled songwriter. Despite his satisfaction in The Who's success, Entwistle expressed frustration within the band about the limited opportunities for his compositions. Consequently, Track Records greenlit a solo album project. By 1970's end, Entwistle amassed enough material for his debut album, the first CD in this 6-CD box set. This comprehensive collection includes all six of Entwistle's solo albums along with 29 bonus tracks, featuring collaborations with Joe Walsh, Peter Frampton, and other notable artists.

Review: Spanning the years 1978-82, this seven-disc set captures the history of the band put together by Ian Gillan after he departed hard rock giants Deep Purple, the 94-strong tracklisting features remastered versions of all studio their albums alongside a rich selection of B-sides, outtakes and rarities. Key highlights include the debut album, sometimes known as The Japanese Album as it wasn't initially released in the UK, the more intense Mr Universe, the initally fan only Glory Road and the chart-climbing Future Shock Double Trouble is that most novel of formats, a half studio, half live double album, while Magic, captures the group's last creative burst before disbanding. Housed in 7" packaging with a detailed 32-page booklet, the collection also includes an insightful new interview with the often outspoken frontman.

Review: This collection plunges into Godley & Creme's eccentric post-10cc years, a whirlwind of boundary-pushing pop and inventive production. Tracks like 'An Englishman in New York' burst with surreal humour and layered arrangements, showcasing their knack for storytelling through off-kilter melodies. Meanwhile, 'Snack Attack' plays with genre, blending funk-laden grooves and absurdist charm. These songs aren't just quirky diversions-they're windows into the duo's fearless approach to dismantling pop conventions. Packed with vocal harmonies, synth experiments, and a sprinkle of the absurd, this box set is a reminder of how Godley & Creme rewrote the rules for art-pop.

Review: David Hepworth has been writing, broadcasting, and speaking about music since the 1970 - often alongside Mark Ellen, with the pair currently hosting the Word In Your Ear podcast. He helped launch and edit Smash Hits and The Word amongst others, and was a presenter on BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test and an anchor for Live Aid in 1985. As such, he knows his stuff. Following the success of his Underrated Cuts From A Misunderstood Decade comes this follow up, which he has annotated track-by-track.From Roy Harper and Sandy Denny's folky shenangans to Status Quo. ZZ Top and proto-punks Eddie & The Hot Rods, this is Hepworth making a case that the 70s remains unmatched for music invention, and a strong case it is too.

Review: Before Time Was Now is a second instalment that showcases the legendary soundscapes of electronic music pioneers in the world of Goa and trance between 2001 and 2018. This release features four seminal albums: Labyrinth, Gods and Monsters, The Golden Sun of the Great East, and The Mutant Theatre, all of which have been newly remastered for this bumper five CD set. It also includes a newly curated compilation of rarities by Juno Reactor titled Astronautics which comes with tracks from iconic movies The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.

Review: Juno Reactor are without much doubt, the most successful and important Goa and psy-trance related artist of the 90s. From 1993 to 2000, the band was in lock and step with the growing sound and scene across the world within trance music. This five-disc boxset gathers all five albums they made plus material they did for movies like Matrix and Mortal Kombat Annihilation. Composer, producer, musician and performer Ben Watkins is an essential innovator of modern electronic music. Over the course of nearly 30 years, Watkins has created a unique driving fusion of electronica, orchestral and global music executed on an epic & symphonic scale. Every trance and 90s electronic music fan should have this retrospect from this ground breaking act.

Review: This brand new 2xCD set celebrates Level 42's 1985 top three album World Machine, which was produced with Wally Badarou. The album reached #3 in early 1986 and features the hit singles 'Something About You' which peaked at #6, and 'Leaving Me Now' which went on to reach #15. In the U.S., a Shep Pettibone remix of 'Something About You' became their highest-charting single by hitting #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. CD1 includes the original album, while CD2 offers some fresh 7" edits, 12" extended versions, remixes and B-sides. The set also features a booklet with lyrics, photos and a foreword by Simon Carson and Paul Waller.

Review: Eddie Piller Presents The Mod Top 100 is a fulfilling four-CD set that revisits the golden era of 1960s mod culture through a meticulously curated selection of tracks. This collection, inspired by the original Mod Top 100 compiled by Randy Cozens, offers a rich mix of r&b, soul, jazz and beat music that was integral to the iconic dancefloors of London's West End. Piller has expanded upon Cozens' influential list, including additional personal favorites from the era. The result is a vibrant homage to the Mod movement, featuring soulful voices from Doris Troy, Betty Everett, and Bessie Banks, alongside classics from James Brown, Ike and Tina Turner, and Solomon Burke. Instrumental gems from Hank Jacobs and the Ramsey Lewis Trio further enhance this comprehensive set. The release not only showcases the era's diverse sound but also serves as a tribute to Randy Cozens, whose passion and dedication helped shape the Mod scene. With new sleeve notes by Piller and support from Cozens' family, this collection is a fitting celebration of a pivotal musical and cultural moment.

Review: This double pack brings together the original, pre-reformation Pixies' last two albums from the early 90s with Bossanova from 1990 marking a distinct shift in the band's sound, Black Francis pursuing a more 'space age heavy metal' direction, a vision he had long desired. The album is imbued with haunting melodies like in 'Ana' and 'Velouria' and contains some of Francis' best lyrical work, dealing in unsettling concepts and a dreamlike atmosphere that's unlike anything they'd done before. Following closely in 1991, Trompe le Monde continues this exploration, both musically and thematically, with its most famous moment 'Planet of Sound' seemingly joining the dots between punk and metal. The title track, which translates to 'Fool the World', sets the tone for an album that adds more avant-garde touches to their alternative rock. While maintaining the Pixies' signature style on 'Alec Eiffel' and the impossibly funky but still lead heavy 'U Mass' - the only track containing the c-word that even sneaked onto a Desert Island Discs playlist thanks to one Jimmy Carr - it still pushes the boundaries even further with more experimental elements. A comprehensive experience of this fascinating and often underrated period in the Pixies' career.

Review: One time Pet Shop Boys backing singer and post-pub TV presenter Katie Puckrik presents a meticulously curated exploration of smooth, sophisticated sounds across four CDs. This collection shows the genre's lush, West Coast sound from 1975 to 1985, includes hits from icons like Michael McDonald, Toto and Average White Band, alongside classics from Carly Simon and Robert Palmer. Puckrik, also known for her BBC TV documentary I Can Go for That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock, delves into the genre's blend of escapist jazz-inflected soft rock and nuanced lyrics reflecting aspiration and alienation. A definitive guide to the ultimate yacht rock experience.

Review: Status Quo's iconic 1977 album Live! sets sail once again with a special 8xCD super deluxe reissue on May 16, 2025, celebrating two of the band's most electrifying performances in Glasgow. Recorded over three nights at the Apollo Theatre in October 1976, the album first captured a selection of tracks from said shows; for their boogie-rock sound and high-energy stage presence, these Glasgow performances were pivotal in cementing Status Quo's reputation on the world stage, in their prime. The reissue offers the gigs again in full, remastering them from newly discovered 24-track tapes, guaranteeing superior sound quality. The set includes a 24-page illustrated booklet with new sleeve notes, rare photographs and memorabilia, shedding light on the impact of the shows and the making of the album.

Review: Suede's Dog Man Star marks its 30th anniversary with a stunning triple CD deluxe edition that reaffirms the album's iconic status. Originally released in 1994, this album is widely regarded as Suede's most ambitious and sonically adventurous work, blending sweeping orchestral arrangements with gritty glam rock and haunting ballads. The new edition is beautifully presented in a 7"X7" deluxe gatefold package, designed by Paul Khera, and features insightful new sleeve notes by Simon Price. The first disc contains the original album, including standout singles like 'We Are The Pigs,' 'The Wild Ones,' and 'New Generation.' The second disc is packed with B-sides and the extended version of 'Stay Together,' a non-album single that remains a fan favorite. The third disc offers bonus tracks and rarities, providing a deeper glimpse into the band's creative process during this period. Dog Man Star was the last Suede album to feature guitarist Bernard Butler, and his influence is evident in the album's expansive sound. This anniversary edition is great for fans and a fitting tribute to a truly extraordinary record.

Review: Originally released in 2013 and celebrating its ten-year anniversary just a little late, Bloodsports was the sixth full-length and much needed return to form from London's glam-centric alt-rock staple Suede. Arriving more than a full decade after 2002's A New Morning, the LP marked the longest gap between projects from the group as issues stemming from addiction as well as the commercial underperformance of the aforementioned album led to a seven-year hiatus. Reuniting with longtime producer Ed Buller, for the first time since 1996's Coming Up, while re-enlisting former keyboardist Neil Codling who originally departed in 2001, the end result would be not only their most acclaimed work since their last outing with Buller but rejuvenate the Suede camp entirely, as we've since been treated to three more subsequent LPs, with the most recent, criminally underrated Autofiction lading in 2022.

Review: Released in May 1972, Bolan Boogie is a pivotal compilation album by T. Rex, capturing the height of T. Rextasy. Following Marc Bolan's departure from Fly Records to form his own label, this album was released by Fly as a collection of recent single A- and B-sides from 1970 and 1971, many of which had not appeared on previous albums. The compilation also includes tracks from the albums Unicorn (1969), A Beard of Stars (1970), and T. Rex (1970). With T. Rex at the peak of their popularity, Bolan Boogie quickly soared to number one on the UK Albums Chart, spending three weeks at the topimarking Bolan's last album to achieve this feat. The tracklist features some of Bolan's most iconic work, including 'Get It On,' 'Ride a White Swan,' and 'Hot Love.' This reissued 2xCD edition offers fans a chance to relive the glam rock magic of T. Rex during one of the most influential periods in the band's history, solidifying Marc Bolan's legacy as a cornerstone of the genre.

Review: Before Marc Bolan's untimely passing in 1977, T. Rex was a cultural whirlwind, an electric force that blurred the lines between glam rock and larger-than-life mythology. The band's influence during the early 70s reached levels that not only defined a generation but also cultivated the feverish phenomenon known as "Trextasy," rivaling even the mania of Beatlemania. Amid the hits that catapulted them into superstardom, hidden on the flipsides of their most famous singles, were some of Bolan's most vivid and unpredictable musical momentsitracks that now stand as an alternative narrative to the T. Rex story. This collection brings together 27 of these gems, charting a journey from the swaggering energy of 'Telegram Sam' to the reflective tones of 'Celebrate Summer.' These B-sides, often overlooked in favour of their A-side counterparts, show a different side to Bolan's genius. Many of these tracks, such as 'Cadillac,' 'Thunderwing,' and 'Lady,' could have easily stood on their own as hit singles, their impact only diminished by their position as B-sides. 'Born To Boogie' gets a newly discovered single mix, while 'Sunken Rags' offers an introspective side of Bolan that feels like a hidden treasure. The inclusion of Gloria Jones adds a fresh layer of soul to the proceedings, her voice a perfect foil to Bolan's otherworldly swagger. These tracks, strung together in one place, feel like an alternative history of T. Rex, highlighting the artistry that was often buried beneath the mainstream success. They not only reaffirm Bolan's stature as a visionary, but they also open up new pathways for the listener, offering an alternative lens through which to understand the full depth of his music.

Review: Fierce, fabulous and more than a little fancy, Box Of Sin takes an exhaustive look at 80s gay nightlife as the driver for the evolution of dance music. Spread over five CDs, we're taken on a sweat-slicked thrill ride through hi-nrg, disco, proto house and synth-pop taking in seminal classics and deep cuts alike. There are plenty of perennial favourites contained within, from The Pointer Sisters' 'Jump (For My Love)' and Soft Cell's 'Memorabilia' through to S'Express' massive chart dance banger 'Theme From S'Express', and you can be sure the compilers have taken care to source the real deal 12" mixes that bring out the best in a track. With plenty of lesser known surprises and a frankly head-spinning amount of knockout tracks, this is an essential document of the outsized impact queer club culture had on electronic music in the 80s and early 90s.

Review: This meticulously curated five CD collection captures the dazzling spectrum of dance music that thrived on queer club floors between 1980 and 1989. With 53 tracks spanning multiple dance genres, the set celebrates an era of bold experimentation and unbridled creativity. Eartha Kitt's magnetic 'Where Is My Man' and Donna Summer's electrifying 'Love Is in Control' set the tone for a journey through anthems and underground gems alike. Tracks like Sylvester's euphoric 'I Need You' and Gwen Guthrie's 'Peanut Butter' evoke the soulful exuberance that defined the dancefloor, while Divine's 'Native Love' and Bobby O"'s 'I'm So Hot for You' bring unabashed camp and energy. On the Europop side, Desireless' dreamy 'Voyage Voyage' and Modern Talking's sleek 'Brother Louie' deliver shimmering melodies, while New Order's 'Sub-Culture' and Siouxsie and the Banshees' 'Peek-A-Boo' infuse a post-punk edge. House and acid influences shine in Electribe 101's hypnotic 'Talking with Myself' and Wee Papa Girl Rappers' 'Heat It Up'. Grace Jones' avant-garde 'Love on Top of Love' and Malcolm McLaren's 'Deep in Vogue' epitomise boundary-pushing brilliance. This collection is a vivid celebration of a transformative decade, reflecting the resilience and creativity of a community that danced through joy, pain, and boundless innovation.

Review: Long-serving music journalist and author David Hepworth knows a thing or two about the music of the 1970s - most of his excellent books in some way touch on the often 'misunderstood' decade - so it makes perfect sense that Edel have asked him to put that knowledge to good use. Packaged in a hardback book containing unsurprisingly authoritative liner notes, Deep '70s offers four CDs packed with lesser-known, infrequently celebrated musical nuggets covering rhythm and blues, glam, blue-eyed soul, jazz-rock, ARO, folk-soul, gospel, big band jazz and much more besides. There are naturally a few familiar names present -Hall & Oates, Joan Armatrading, Boz Scaggs, ZZ Top, Fairport Convention, Robert Palmer etc - but Hepworth neatly sidesteps the obvious, choosing instead deep cuts from their catalogues.

Review: Demon's 'Disco Discharge' series, originally released as 2CD collections from 2009 to 2012, is back in print. These compilations of extended disco originals were curated by the enigmatic "MrPinks" and featured detailed sleeve notes by disco expert Alan Jones. They have remained highly sought-after and here the revival begins with 'Disco Fever USA' in deluxe 2CD gatefold packaging. The album highlights 20 American Disco classics, including tracks from Fern Kinney, Gloria Gaynor, and Boys Town Gang. Notable rarities like an instrumental version of Earth, Wind & Fire's 'Boogie Wonderland' and Dennis Parker's 'Like An Eagle' are also featured, making it a must-have for disco heads.

Review: The music of London's Blitz nightclub is celebrated with a new box-set curated by Rusty Egan, the man who, with Steve Strange, helped usher in a transition from the late 70s musical gloom into a glamorous, sonorous new 1980s. After their prior band, Rich Kids, disbanded in 1978, Egan and Strange saw through their enterprising excesses with a new venture, launching the Blitz club as a wine bar in Covent Garden. Bottling the unique, generic essence of the nightclub - at a time where the styles and sounds of David Bowie, Sade, Spandau Ballet, Boy George, Billy Idol, Ultravox, Visage, Marilyn and Gary Numan reigned supreme, yet were often not heard all in one physical place - this new reminiscence compilation brings both well-known and lesser-heard gems of the Blitz era to a fantastically fresh set of ears, proving that even you, too, can be a hero, just for one day.

Review: Although Salsoul Records and West End Records are more widely associated with the original New York Disco story, SAM Records - founded by Romania-born Sam Weiss in 1975 - also released a wealth of killer material during that era. This three-disc retrospective, which comes accompanied by detailed liner notes by the Guardian's Alexis Petridis, tells the story of the label via a mix of genuine disco anthems, early boogie gems, key 12" versions mixed by the likes of Shep Pettibone, John Jellybean' Benitez and Jonathan Fearing, and lesser-celebrated cult classics. All the label's key artists (think John Davis & The Monster Orchestra, K.I.D, Gary's Gang and Rhyze) are present, along with noted 'one-hit wonders' such as David McPherson, Mike & Brenda Sutton, Vicky D and Lucy Hawkins. A must-have for disco heads old and new!

Review: Disco Discharge: Classic Disco Deluxe Edition, offers a refreshing take on disco's late 70s and early 80s heyday. Unlike typical compilations, it features both classics and hidden gems, showcasing the genre's diversity. From unlikely DJ favorites like Manhattan Transfer's 'Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone' to well-known hits like Cheryl Lynn's 'Got to Be Real' the collection caters to seasoned disco enthusiasts. Tracks like Change's 'Paradise' sit alongside lesser-known gems like 'It Burns Me Up,' providing a deeper dive into disco's rich history. This double-disc set serves as a reminder of disco's enduring influence and offers a treat for those looking beyond the mainstream hits.