Various Artists - NOW 12” 80s: 1985 – Part Two Various Artists

NOW Music presents the next instalment in our ongoing series of 12” 80s releases: - NOW 12” 80s: 1985 – Part Two, 4CDs packed with 46 extended, full-length, and remixed 12” versions, capturing the sound of 1985’s dancefloors, airwaves, and pop culture moments. Another essential volume from one of the most dynamic and diverse years of the decade.

CD1 opens with Wham!’s exuberant #1‘I’m Your Man (Extended Stimulation)’, before Eurythmics with the dazzling ‘There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart), another #1, featured in its ‘Special Dance Mix’. Timeless anthems continue with Tears For Fears’ ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Urban Mix)’, Midge Ure’s solo classic ‘If I Was (Extended Mix)’, and Bryan Ferry’s stylish ‘Don’t Stop The Dance (Special 12” Remix)’. Go West and Nik Kershaw contribute essential extended pop, before Scritti Politti, Stephen Duffy, and Howard Jones keep the synth-pop flowing, and Toyah rounds off Disc 1 with the extended mix of her ’85 hit  ‘Don’t Fall In Love (I Said)’…

CD2 kicks off with one of 1985’s new hitmakers: Fine Young Cannibals with the extended mix of ‘Johnny Come Home, ahead of another chart debut:- Simply Red with ‘Money’s Too Tight (To Mention) (The Cutback Mix)’ before Matt Bianco’s ‘Yeh Yeh (Dance Mix)’. Huge transatlantic Latin-flavoured smashes follow from DeBarge with ‘Rhythm Of The Night’ and Miami Sound Machine’s irresistible ‘Conga (Pablo Flores Dance Mix)’. Up next, a run of dancefloor-fillers, kicking off with The Pointer Sisters’ ‘Neutron Dance (12” Remix)’, and followed by Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Five Star, and Jaki Graham, while the extended dance mix of Loose Ends’ chilled soul classic ‘Hangin’ On A String’ leads into the CD’s closer: UB40’s ‘Don’t Break My Heart (Extended Version)’ which gave the band a Top 3 smash, their third of the decade so far…

CD3 showcases some of the year’s most creative 12”’s with remixing to the fore: Bronski Beat with Marc Almond’s epic ‘I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me’ (12” Version) opens the CD before ‘The Destruction Mix’ of Paul Hardcastle’s groundbreaking #1‘19’. Cutting-edge production continues with The Art Of Noise’s ‘Close (To The Edit)’, New Order’s ‘Sub-Culture’, and Yello’s electro gem ‘Vicious Games’ all in their extended, remixed and club versions. Propaganda followed up ‘Duel’ with the stunning ‘p:Machinery’ and the ‘Polish’ version is featured ahead of  Siouxsie And The Banshees and Billy Idol. U.S. hits from Rick Springfield, Pat Benatar and ZZ Top complete Disc 3 with a trio of ‘85’s finest extended and remixed rock-pop crossover cuts.

CD4 opens with a diverse line-up representing different dance genres:- hip-hop pioneers Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five with ‘Step Off (Extended Mix)’, Maria Vidal with electro club hit ‘Body Rock (Dance Mix)’, Sandra’s superb extended version of euro-pop synth classic ‘Maria Magdalena’ and Amii Stewart’s ‘Knock On Wood / Ash 48’ which was a smash again 6 years after its original chart run as its ‘1985 12" Extended Mix’ . Dead Or Alive were having a huge year, and ‘Lover Come Back (To Me) (Extended Remix)’, was their third hit in ’85. Up next - Sheila E’s  ‘A Love Bizarre’ (Parts I and II), René & Angela with the 12” Mix of ‘I’ll Be Good’ and Steve Arrington’s euphoric ‘Feel So Real’ – here in its 12” Version are all dancefloor gold -  and Sister Sledge, who had enjoyed huge success at the end of the ‘70s returned and hit #1 with ‘Frankie’, featured in its ‘Club Mix’. Taking us to the end of this stellar collection another returning star from the late 70s disco era; Dan Hartman who hit with ‘I Can Dream About You’, from the film ‘Streets Of Fire’ – here in its 12” Mix by John “Jellybean” Benitez, and Paul Young closes the set with the extended remix of his smash ‘Every Time You Go Away’ which gave him his sixth consecutive Top 10 single in the UK – and a US #1.

NOW 12” 80s: 1985 – Part Two – an essential companion to Part One, celebrating more of the unforgettable extended mixes that defined a golden year for pop.