VA - Voyage: Facing The History of French Modern Psychedelic Music

An excellent compilation that provides a great insight into the psych scene over in Paris (and beyond), covering a number of styles, from really heavy, feedback-laden acid rock, to Stooges-style acid-punk, droning Velvet Underground (or Suicide) style pieces to psychedelic string section-lead songs. Hadn't heard of most of the bands on here before but will be delving deeper, as well as checking more stuff out by the excellent Turzi who compiled it.

Tracklisting
01 One Switch To Collison - Smokes
02 Lisa Li Lund - Heavy Horses
03 Aqua Nebula Oscillator - Ready To Fly
04 Koudlam - I Was Down
05 Service - The Dog
06 Juan Trip - High America
07 Butch Mc Koy - Sin
08 Chicros - New Orleans
09 Mogadishow - Mantra I
10 Kill For Total Peace - Psychopedestrian
11 Musikasphaera - Beware
12 Turzi - Tremolo Army
13 Ulysse - The Countess's Smiles
14 Etienne Jaumet - Doudouk
15 Rob - Improvisation

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VA - Soul In Motion

Dug this out again from a few years back. Compiled by Volcov aka Isoul8. Some deep detroit techno/ housey/electro-ish/broken beat 'esque' shit is the best way I can describe it. Shocking description I know but just download it and see for yourself, some good stuff. Thought my reviews would at least be getting better by now...

Tracklisting
01 Titonton Duvante - Foreplay
02 Domu - The Long Way Up
03 Art Forest - The Flow
04 Ahab - Held By Love
05 Hanna - Ghost
06 Yellow Magic Orchestra - Indo (4 Hero Mix)
07 Carl Craig - They Were
08 Drexciya - Journey Home
09 Nubian Mindz - Malfunction
10 Nu Era - Breaking In Space
11 Splinterfaction - Ultraism
12 Envoy - Leave This World Behind

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VA - Quiet Village Presents Fragments Of Fear Vol 1 & 2

"Excellent, very hard to find mixes packed with obscure horror themed proto-punk, eccentric glam-rock, disco, supernatural soundtracks and more. Cunningly interspersed with dialogue from the creepiest of giallos and voiceovers from the sleaziest, drive-in, horror double-bills that you can possibly imagine - pure grindhouse!"

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VA - Black Cock Edits

As requested. Don't know too much about this except for DJ Harvey and Black Cock Edits written on the front of the cdr. Have no idea when or who compiled it. Obviously some sort of bootleg since you can hear the vinyl recordings and it overlapping into the next tracks in some cases. Who knows if they are even all Black Cock related? 11 of them here anyway. Heres a copy & paste job from Harvey's site about Black Cock: 'Gerry and Harvey together are responsible for the highly influential and collectible Black Cock records. The labels' releases are known as foundations for the resurgence of "left field," "warehouse" and "garage" type of music. Black Cock was like a voice in the wilderness when it started up in the early 1990s, as it was very unique and forward-thinking for its era. The dance music world of that time was at a crossroads. Disco dub & techno just starting to be heard out at the disco more, but the Black Cock records were edits reaching a bit deeper into "cosmic," "Balearic" & were just a little more fucked up sounding than the others. The records have had everything and anything appear in their mysterious grooves -- disco re-edits inspired by original tape edits from house music pioneers such as Larry Levan and Ron Hardy; strange sound effects and dialogue; to heavy, spacey drum breaks and samples.While gaining a reputation for being more "out there" than most, at the same time Black Cock was still fun and kept a more tongue in cheek attitude - from it's name, on down to the humorously titled tracks, credits, and logo mascot. However, it might be said that the label was so unique and advanced at one point that in fact, many distributors were unable to move copies and resorted to throwing hundreds of unsold records in the trash bin! Whoops! Fast forward ten or more years and now these elusive slices of sonic mayhem change hands between mania collectors and regularly fetch over hundreds of dollars easily on internet auction sites, as well as stylistically paving the way for a slew of imitators. These days it's not hard to browse thru a glut of modern "left field" "cosmic" "balearic" or "disco dub" re-edits at any well-stocked dance music store, a market that just wouldn't exist if Black Cock hadn't paved the way.' If anyone can id any, provide a tracklist, or even confirm if they are indeed Harvey/Black Cock related, would be appreciated.

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VA - James Pants Presents Ice Castles

As requested and since it's still sitting on my desktop coincidentally, here it is in double quick time for once. Still not too sure about his LP 'Welcome' but this mix is right up my street.
Proper weird, spaced out, electronic, experimental sounds of the highest order. Highly recommended.

Tracklisting
01 James Pants/Brian Eno/United States Of America — Ice Castles Intro
02 Godiego — Monkey Magic
03 Dick Hyman — Minotaur
04 Mort Garson/More Jive Rhythm Trax — Concerto for Philodendron & Pothos
05 Racines Synthetiques — Asteroide
06 Yellow Magic Orchestra — Behind The Mask
07 Weather Report — River People
08 Ardy, The Painter Of Love — Pregnant Rainbows For Colourblind Dreamers
09 Tonoto's Exploding Head Band — Cybernaut
10 Mort Garson — Swingin' Spathaphyllums
11 Bruce Haack — Moonlight and Roses
12 Patrick Gleeson — Unacceptable Dance Styles
13 Patrick Gleeson — La Grange Point Five
14 Tangerine Dream — Bent Sidewalk
15 Neil Norman — Phantom Planet
16 Arthur Brown — Triangles
17 Ralph Lundsten — Robbie Is Dancing The Waltz
18 James Pants / Yutaka — Ice Castle Outro

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VA - Attica Blues Present Drum Major Instinct

Charlie & Tony compiled this great comp a few years back now but it's only just recently been back on my headphones again. I love the feeling you get when you haven't listened to an album you've had for ages and are surprised by a tune you hadn't really 'got' or listened to properly the first time round for whatever reason. The opening Pal Joey track on here is definately one of those for me that I've re-discovered. Plenty more quality tracks on here as well though. Anyone know if X:Treme records is still going?

Tracklisting
01 Pal Joey - Drum Major Instinct
02 O.C. - Times Up
03 Gangstarr - The ? Remains
04 Jamose - The Rhymthologist
05 Innershade - Operator (Attica Blues Remix)
06 Paul Hardcastle - Rainforest
07 NY House'n Authority - Apt 3a
08 Imagination - Burning Up (Dub)
09 DSM - Warrior Groove
10 Corrina Joseph - Lonely
11 No Smoke - Koro Koro
12 Maurice Fulton - In My Mind
13 Nuspirit Helsinki - Orson
14 Spirit - Ice

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VA - Morgan Geist Presents Unclassics

Great mix CD from the Environ boss which is an excursion through obscure electronic funk and disco from 1978-1985. Featuring rare cuts from A. Robotnick, Plastic Mode, Gaz Nevada, Zodiac & many more. Wicked artwork by Julian Morey (Factory Records, Hacienda) as well. Read a much better review about it here. As ever, if you like what you hear, please try & purchase the CD/Vinyl/MP3 etc.

Tracklisting
01 Untro
02 Discotheque - Disco Special
03 Zodiac - Pacific
04 Pluton and The Humanoids - World Invaders
05 Unrhythm Trax - Humanoid Beat
06 Margueritas - Maguerita (Hot Edit)
07 Eurofunk - Manshortage (Eli-173 Edit)
08 Victor - Go On Do It (Radio Version)
09 Plastic Mode - Baja Imperial
10 Dance Reaction - Disco Train (Morgan Geist Caboose Mix)
11 Purple Flash Orchestra - Freedom Now (Break Edit)
12 Purple Flash - We Can Make It
13 Gaz Nevada - Special Agent Man (Female Version)

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Hip To The Hop Part 2

Apologies for the lack of posts recently, been a bit lazy and also pre-occupied with other things. Back with some quality LP's soon but in the meantime, heres a short selection of tracks in a hip hop/r&b/urban (hate that term) vein. A bit different to the normal 'trendy' shit on here but fuck it, it's my blog, I can post what I want. I might also start posting more single's again, when I eventually pull my finger out. Till then enjoy...

Tracklisting
01 J Dilla - Trucks
02 Common - Universal Mind Control Feat Pharrell
03 Lupe Fiasco - Gold Watch
04 The Cool Kids - What It Iz
05 N.E.R.D - Yeah You
06 The Heavy - Girl
07 The Roots - Criminal Feat Saigon & Truck North
08 Janelle Monae - Sincerely, Jane
09 Erykah Badu - The Cell
10 Trimski - Thief In The Night
11 Taiwah - Every Step
12 Jay Electronica - The Pledge / Voodoo Man

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VA - Cut Chemist Presents Rare Equations

A pretty hard to find breaks/funk/soul mixtape compiled by the legend that is Cut Chemist. The quality tracklisting says it all really...

Tracklisting
01 Cut Chemist - Suspended Introduction
02 Young Holt Unlimited - Wah Wah Man
03 Donald Byrd - The Emporer
04 Ahmad Jamal - Misdemeanor
05 Jimmy Smith - I'm Gonna Love You
06 Dave Matthews - Sandworms
07 The Fatback Band - Gotta Learn How To Dance
08 Roy Ayers Ubiquity - The Black Five
09 The Meters - Hey Last Minute
10 Cut Chemist - Motherlude feat. Biz Markie
11 King Ericsson - Back From The Dead
12 James Brown - Nose Job
13 Watts 103rd St Rhythm Band - Giggin' Down 103rd
14 Dyke & The Blazers - Bull Dyke
15 Cut Chemist - Reconstruction Rebelution
16 The 9th Creation - Bubble Gum
17 Monk Higgins - On The Hill feat. Chali 2na
18 Mel Brown - Son Of A Preacher Man
19 Andre Previn - Executive Party
20 Olympic Runners - Grab It
21 Rufus Thomas - Funky Bird
22 Bar-Kays - Humpin'
23 The Meters - Funky Miracle
24 Jimmy Smith - Root Down
25 Kool & The Gang - Give It Up
26 Lonnie Smith - Spinning Wheel
27 Cut Chemist - Jackin' Bruce
28 Cut Chemist - Untitled
29 Cut Chemist - (Tim V. Westwood)

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VA - David Mancuso Presents The Loft

As you know already, I like 'borrowing' other peoples reviews (mainly because mine are shit) . This review on Discogs sums it up nicely: "Both Loft compilations (Vols 1 & 2) are essential pieces of Dance music history containing a wealth of amazing records spanning Disco, Soul, Funk, House, Dub, Disco Not Disco, Electronica, African Funk....They have exposed me to so many artists that I wouldn't have even contemplated or considered coming under the banner of Dance music. That's probably what was so amazing about clubs like The Loft and DJs such as David Mancuso, Larry Levan etc they played and broke great records regardless of their genre. They just had a philosophy of great music that you could dance to. They could drop music with guitars and get people dancing. There is too much pigeon-holing of music these days, going to a club just to check a DJ that plays one narrow style of music, no matter how great he/she is. There is so much fantastic music across the board that clubs should take a leaf out of the Loft's book and get back to basics playing great music regardless of the genre! RESPECT to David Mancuso, Larry Levan and all the DJs who followed in their footsteps."

Tracklisting - CD 1
01 Risco Connection - Ain't No Stopping Us Now
02 Loose Joints - It's All Over My Face
03 Patti LaBelle - The Spirits In It
04 The Winners - Get Ready for the Future
05 Dexter Wansel - Life On Mars
06 Crown Heights Affair - Say a Prayer for Two (US Remixed Version)
07 T.W. Funkmasters - Love Money
08 Manfriday - Love Honey, Love Heartache (Larry Levan Vocal Mix)
09 Ednah Holt - Serious, Sirius Space Party (Club Version)

CD 2
01 The Resonance - Yellow Train
02 Fingers INC - Mystery of Love (Instrumental)
03 Ten City - Devotion (Bam Bam's House Mix)
04 Karma - High Priestess
05 Manu Dibango - Soul Makossa
06 War - City Country City
07 Ashford & Simpson - Stay Free
08 Sun Palace - Rude Movements
09 Brian Briggs - Aeo (Pts 1 & 2)

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VA - Serie Noire: Dark Pop And New Beat

Another personal favourite of mine. A superb compilation of Italo-Disco, Electro, Synth-Pop and New Beat compiled & mixed by Mo & Benoelie (aka The Glimmers) & Dirk (Eskimo) . "Serie Noire, an ongoing collection of groundbreaking electronic dance music from the [recent] past, is here to reinstate the value of long-lost dance collectives, producers and bands who once [or repeatedly] hit the mark and proved to be hugely influential for generations to come. Culled from different timezones and non-aligned scenes, the tracks all have the same brooding, ominous feeling about them...fusing cold Kraftwerkian robotic beats with primitive funk, or pasting sinewy squelches onto calculated rhythm patterns, a batch of wayward musicians devised the kind of music that felt strangely detached but couldn't help but get under everyone's skin." Part 2 coming soon.

Tracklisting
01 Logic System - Unit
02 The Pool - Jamaica Running
03 Will Powers - Adventures In Success
04 Alan Parsons Project - Mammagamma (Instrumental Version)
05 A Split Second - Flesh
06 Snowy Red - Euroshima / Wardance
07 Section 25 - Looking From A Hilltop
08 Jump - Funkatarium
09 Metro Area - Miura
10 My Mine - Hypnotic Tango (Instrumental Version)
11 Grauzone - Film 2
12 Vicious Pink - 8.15 To Nowhere
13 Executive Slacks - The Bus
14 John Carpenter - The End
15 Kissing The Pink - Big Man Restless (Original Extended Version)
16 Carlos Peron - Nothing Is True, Everything Is Permitted
17 C Cat Trance - Shake The Mind

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VA - Grass Roots: Ashley Beedle - Musical Influences and Inspirations

One of my favourite compilations. Every track on this is a killer. I highly recommend purchasing it if you like it since both the packaging & liner notes are also excellent. A SGM classic.







Tracklisting
01 Windy City - Introduction (Windy City Theme)
02 Gil Scott Heron & Brian Jackson - The Liberation Song (Red, Black and Green)
03 Rufus with Chaka Khan - Sweet Thing
04 Rare Pleasure - Let me Down Easy (12" Disco Version)
05 Four Below Zero - My Baby's Got ESP (Special Disco Version)
06 Blue Magic - Welcome To The Club
07 Stan Ivory And His Omnificent Orchestra - Stan's Theme
08 Freddie Hubbard - Gibraltar
09 Lafayette Afro Rock Band - Hihache
10 Son Of Bazerk Feat. No Self Control + The Band - J Dub's Theme
11 Canned Interlude
12 Gwen McCrae - Doin' It
13 Grace Jones - Feel Up (Original U.S. 12" Version)
14 Will Powers - Adventures In Success (Dub Copy)
15 Tullio De Piscopo - Stop Bajon... Primavera

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VA - Gilles Peterson Presents Petit Dejeuner Au Lit!

One of a limited edition series of compilations made for Habitat by various artists. "As important as it is to have a wholesome breakfast in the morning, music plays an equally important role in your day's commencement. I need space and calm, I need folk and song. Included here is a collection of tunes that enhanced my breathing these last few turbulent London months". Gilles Peterson '05

Tracklisting
01 Micatone - Nomad
02 Me'Shell Ndegéocello - May This Be Love
03 Anthony Johnson - Man Is The Baby
04 Tunng - Tale From Black
05 Doves - Someday Soon
06 Liz Wright - Old Man
07 Phoebe - Looking For A Man
08 Roger Robinson - Dream Keepa
09 Elmore Judd - Kinky
10 Urbs - So Weit
11 Dante & Dhula - Why Do The Wicked Ones Rule
12 Felix Laband - Minka
13 Quintessence - Ballad In 6/8 (The Masters)
14 Alberto Favero - Tercer Movimento
15 Hocus Pocus - J'aimerais (Ijkl...Nop)

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VA - Journeys By DJ Present Gilles Peterson & Norman Jay: Desert Island Mix

A legendary mix CD compiled by Gilles and Norman back in '97. I believe it was re-released a few years ago though so is easier to come by. Some great tracks on both CD's but I think I'd have to choose Norman Jay's disc 2 mix over Gilles' since the tunes are mostly classics anyway which always stand the test of time better.



Tracklisting - Gilles Peterson CD 1
1-01 Mark Murphy - Dingwalls
1-02 Letta Mbulu - What's Wrong With Grooving
1-03 Pnu Riff - Comfy Club
1-04 Juryman v Spaceman - Submersible
1-05 Ballistic Brothers - Love Supreme
1-06 Buscemi - Yves Eaux
1-07 Jazzanova - Fedime's Flight
1-08 Kevin Yost - One Starry Night
1-09 Los Quatros Diablos - Carnival Supreme
1-10 Roy Davis Jr feat. Peven Everett - Gabriel
1-11 Blaze - My Beat
1-12 Bel-Air Project - Jazz With Altitude
1-13 Breakbeat Era - Breakbeat Terror
1-14 Roni Size - It's Jazzy
1-15 Priest - Disorientation
1-16 I-Cube - Ding Ding Ding
1-17 Drop Zone Productions - Wondering
1-18 Rotary Connection - Black Gold Of The Sun

Tracklisting - Norman Jay CD 2
2-01 Carl Davis & Chi-Sound Orchestra - Windy City Theme
2-02 Patti Jo - Make Me Believe In You
2-03 Voices Of East Harlem - Wanted Dead, Or Alive
2-04 Red Cloud & Digital Hemp - Afro Latin Concrete
2-05 Family Tree - Family Tree (Disco Version)
2-06 Key-Matic - Breakin' In Space
2-07 Most Wanted - Calm Down
2-08 Hall & Oates - Maneater
2-09 Brooklyn Transit Express - If It Don't Turn You On
2-10 Voices Of East Harlem - Little People
2-11 East Harlem Bus Stop - Watermelon Man
2-12 Anorak Trax - Jammin' To The End Of Time
2-13 Alexander Robotnick - Love Supreme
2-14 Nerissa - Stars
2-15 Ballistic Brothers - Blacker Revisited
2-16 Denzil Dumpy Rice - De-Funky Dumpy
2-17 The Truth All Stars - The Truth

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VA - Romanian Jazz

Whilst I'm posting the Polish one, heres another great comp in the series. “As if by magic, Jazzanova, Stephan Steigleder and Khidja from Bukarest, Romania, found an unexplored record archive in the east, called Electrecord. None of the names here ring any bell with the average amateur jazz fan, but of course it sounds great. The overall sound is a cocktail of American jazz with a Balkan blend. I'd say it's one of the best jazz compilations on Sonar Kollektiv yet.” Courtesy of beyondjazz.net

Tracklisting
01 Guido Manusardi -Blues for Vali
02 Johnny Raducanu - Blues Minor
03 Orchestra Universitatii de Jazz din Illinois - Latino
04 Guido Manusardi - Arriving Song
05 Johnny Raducanu - Balada
06 Aura Urziceanu - Iarna, iarna
07 Paul Weiner Quartet - Colinda P
08 Marius Popp - Xybaba
09 Aura Urziceanu - Nu-mi cere sa Cint
10 Vocal Jazz Quartet - Cercuri

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VA - Go Right: Jazz From Poland 1963-75

Especially for Romek and everyone else who enjoyed the Talkin' Jazz series. A great compilation of Polish Jazz from the 60's and 70's compiled by Daniel Best & Jazzanova. Some really great tracks which for me personally, were a great eductaion on the amazing Polish Jazz scene from that time which I knew little about previously. Highly recommended to all jazz fans.

Tracklisting
1. Jerzy Milian - Wsrod Pampasow
2. Novi Singers - Torpedo
3. Novi Singers - All Together
4. Andrej Kurylewicz Quintet - Nyamaland
5. Novi Singers - Misfit
6. Novi Singers - My Own Revolution
7. Jazz Carriers - Mala Septyma (Minor Seventh)
8. Aleksander Mazur Quartet & Novi Singers - It Doesn't Matter
9. Novi Singers - Christine
10. Novi Singers - Next, Please
11. Andrej Kurylewicz Quintet - I Won't Stay With You
12. Novi Singers - Five, Four, Three
13. Jerzy Milian - Choreographic Sketches
14. Zbigniew Namyslowski Quartet - Fair Lola
15. Wojciech Karolak - Why Not Samba
16. Novi Singers - The Runway
17. Novi Singers - Oh, Woman
18. Novi Singers - Jeansy

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VA - Talkin' Jazz Vol 3

Tracklisting
01 Jazz meets India - Yaad
02 Tony Scott & The Indonesian Allstars - Burungkaka Tua
03 Clarke-Boland Big Band - Sakara
04 George Duke - North Beach
05 Peter Thomas - Stars And Rockets
06 Orchestra Erwin Lehn - Colour
07 Ella Fitzgerald - Sunshine Of Your Love
08 London Jazz Quartet - Things We Did Today
09 Clarke-Boland Big Band - Un Graso De Areia
10 Mark Murphy - Just Give Me Time
11 Elsie Bianchi Trio - Little Bird
12 Gustav Brom - Waldmachen
13 Jef Gilson Nonet - Suite Pour San Remo Overture
14 Modern Jazz Group - Big P
15 Roland Kovac - Blue Dance
16 Fritz Pauer - Model Forces Gratuliere
17 Bill Evans - First Movement

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VA - Talkin' Jazz Vol 1: Themes From The Black Forest

The first of three legendary and highly sought after jazz compilations Gilles Peterson put together in the 90's on his Talkin' Loud label. Some really great tracks on these which if you love your jazz like I do, are essential. Also, if anyone has or knows about the orginal GP compiled 'Jazz Juice' series on Streetsounds being online anywhere, a link would be hugely appreciated.

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Tracklisting
01 Peter Herbolzheimer Rhythm Combination & Brass - Hip
02 Joanne Grauer - See You Later
03 Kitty Winter - New Winter
04 Dieter Reith - Join Us
05 George Duke - Someday
06 Edu Lobo - Upa Neguinho
07 George Duke - My Soul
08 Mark Murphy - Sconsolato
09 Carmell Jones - Carmell's Black Forest Waltz
10 Novi Singers - Secret Life
11 Pony Poindexter - All Blues
12 Rimona Francis - Colours Of Excitement
13 Joanne Grauer - Frog Child

VA - The Dark Side Of Disco Vol 3

Tracklisting
01 Kissing The Pink - Big Man Restless (Original Extended Version)
02 Soft Cell - Seedy Films
03 David Byrne - Business (Dance Mix)
04 Marianne Faithfull - Why D'Ya Do It (Special 12" Version)
05 Indeep - The Record Keeps Playing (12" Long Version)
06 Captain Sensible - Wot (12" Version)
07 The Police - Voices Inside My Head (Superministry & AM 'Rulin' Mix)
08 Tom Tom Club - Lorelei (Instrumental Long Version)
09 David Bowie - Fashion (Rare 12" Long Version)
10 ESG - Erase You (Puppy To Your Side 12" Edit)
11 Moonbase - Waiting For A Train (Instrumental Dub)

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VA - The Dark Side Of Disco Vol 2

Tracklisting
01 Talking Heads - Crosseyed And Painless (12" Long Version)
02 Eberhard Schoener - Why Don't You Answer (feat. Sting)
03 Sugar Daddy - Another One Bites The Dust (Remix Instrumental)
04 The Human League - Things That Dreams Are Made Of (Instrumental Version)
05 Q - The Voice Of Q
06 Skatt Bros - Walk The Night
07 Harlequin Fours - Set It Off (Walter Gibbons Mix)
08 Nancy Martin - Can't Believe
09 Visage - Fade To Grey (12" Extended Play)
10 Rinder & Lewis - Gluttony
11 Men Without Hats - The Safety Dance (Extended Club Mix)

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