Reviews (1)

The best 70's porn film soundtrack ever
In the late Seventie she became the godmother of rap, founding Sugar Hill Records, the first rap label. But before that, Sylvia recorded this nasty gem, taking double entendres to new highs. "Pillow Talk" was the hit, with lyrics about having to "borrow your pants some cold and lonely night". But there were other winners: in "Didn't I", she coos "at last you know I'm not margarine - but I am a high-priced spread!"...and in "Had Any Lately?", well, she mixes a come-on with a Vietnam protest song. The best track, though, is "Not on the Outside". You can almost get a contact high from this song: all the musicians play like they've smoked some serious herb while Sylvia dedicates the song to her dead songwriting partner - on whom she admits changing the song to her version now that he's gone. She even plays acoustic (or, as she says, "a-cue-stick) guitar on the track, and finishes the song in a self-orgy of moans. Classic. ... Read more

Album Details

Eighteen Song Collection is Far More Comprehensive Than the Previous Imagination 'Best Of' Title. Featuring Imagination's Finest ('Just an Illusion', 'Body Talk', 'Changes', 'Burnin' Up', etc.) Plus a 'Megamix' of the Track 'Music and Lights'. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

All the "Imagination" You'll Ever Need to Get
Ahh... we all remember the sunny days of summer '82 when Imagination was THE best European disco act around... Imagination, a trio out of France, cranked out hit after hit, and this compilation has them all.

The band had a sound all of its own, in the middle of the crazy European disco scene. The up-tempo songs are still the best: Just an Illusion (their big break-through hit in 1981), Music and Lights, Flashback, Changes, Looking at Midnight (albeit regretfully here in the "single" version), New Dimensions, State of Love,Burnin' Up, and on and on... The ballads are not bad either (such as Body Talk, In and Out of Love, etc).

This compilation is what anyone interested in Imagination would ever want. All the hits are here, and as a bonus, there is a "Megamix" tagged on as well. Classify this as a "guilty pleasure": this isn't serious music, but oh so enjoyable!!

The Very Best of Imagination
I love to have one i hope to have on but the rand doller problem we have here in south Africa. I hope to have one one day

Nhlanhla

Very Best of Imagination
Where did these guys go? Vividly remember their excellent performances on the UK's "Top of the Pops" in the early eightys'. Simply Dynamite!Body talk, simply an illusion, music and lights etc. It alltakes me back to high school, saturday night dances in Namasagali, Uganda.

Slammin'
Imagination had the jams back in the day Like Just An Illusion,Body Talk.Typical of The Tight Bands from Back in the day.Great Musicians who could Groove&Give Up The Slow Jams.Alot Of Fun&TImeless Jams.

MUSIC & LIGHTS
This great cd is full of music that forces you to move to the beat...reminds me of when I lived in England.

If anyone knows where I can get Phil Fearon/Galaxy's Greatest Hits, let me know. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Brilliant from Start to Finish
Despite the complaints below, there are great songs here that, in fact, are hard to find elsewhere: AEIOU Sometimes Y, Hanging On a Heart Attack, Sidewalk Talk, Make a Circuit with Me, and Shattered Dreams. And that reviewer assumes that you already have the same discs as he does. Um, OK.

If you valued the 80's, don't buy this compilation
You'd think that an 80's anthology of music would understand that it caters to an audience which is nostalgic toward that decade.

I give this two stars only because you can't take away from the 80's music, but I figure that the inane commentary on the CD booklet should be calculated in this rating too. It was highly unnecessary and insulting to 80's fans to include disparaging remarks about the decade and banal political commentary by obvious leftist sympathizers.

Most Of These Are Available Elsewhere
The third Living In Oblivion entry becomes a bit common, including several songs that are the stock and trade of every run of the mill 80s compilation. We still manage to find some lesser seen gems, such as "AEIOU Sometimes Y" by EBN-OZN and "Make A Circuit With Me" by the Polecats, but tunes like "Sunglasses At Night", "Rock This Town", and "Shattered Dreams" are the norm here. Any 80s fan probably already has these songs squirreled away on a variety of other compliations. Not the best in the series. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A Classic
Teena is one of the under-appreciated artists who have a library of GREAT albums out there that saddly most of the masses just aren't aware of. This record (along with "It Must Be Magic" and the out-of-print "Lady T") is a must have for soul music lovers. Great musicians, great arrangements & production, great lyrics and delivery. From pure funky to love ballads, from uplifting spiritual tunes to jazz breakdowns Teena can do it all ...and do it all WELL.

Pick this up (as well as "It Must Be Magic") and see for yourself.

Ms. Marie you did it again!
The songs on this cd are great. What made me buy it was my mom. My mom had a collage of music on tape. The song Tune in Tomorrow was on that tape. Let's say I owed mom the record because I warped the tape. Teena Marie shows soul music comes from the soul. What an excellent jazz song Wow. "I need your lovin" already a dance classic. The bass line hooks you in from the beginning. also get"It must be Magic" that cd will definitely get you started as a fan.

A MUST HAVE IN YOUR R&B COLLECTION
Teena Marie's Irons in the Fire is one of her BEST!...
Teena's sulty voice melts over the notes like butter on a warm bun. My Favorite songs on the album are Irons in the Fire (Short but Sweet) and Young Love (I know y'all feel me on this one). If only Teena would come out with a new album.

Lady T rules
I am the biggest fan of Teena Marie since the day I was born. My mother and the rest of the family played Lady T non-stop, CONSTANTLY! We know all of her songs, and all of the albums she has ever made. Please keep me updated on current releases because she never gets the props that she definetly deserves. Thank You.

HEARTBREAKING
This is music to heal your heart by. By the time she released this gorgeous soul gem, Lady T was finally starting to recieve the accolades she deserved. "I Need Your Lovin'" was an across the board smash and listening to the extended version on this LP is an even more rewarding experience than the edit usually heard on the radio; the funky bass line hanging naked in the air until the orchestra, Teena's voice and guitar lick come sweeping in is one the most distinctive introductions in soul music. The mellow, laid back groove of "Young Love" cradles you in it's arms and evokes not only memories of loves from one's past, but also pleads for that passion to never fade away ('why you wanna grow old on me now?')and when the band speeds up the tempo after the second chorus you can't resist nodding your head along. "First Class Love" and the ultra-passionate "Chains" are two more funky workouts that celebrate the all-encompassing love/lust/obsession we all have felt from being with the right man or woman; Teena also gets superb support from a tight backing band with the ability to switch gears at will. "Irons In The Fire" is a sublime, beautiful title song with a gently plucked harp, jazzy guitar and gradually rising string section behind Teena's relaxed vocal and quietly determined lyrics about not giving up on love in her life. "You Make Love Like Springtime" is oustanding; its sprightly bassline, bossa-nova beat, jaunty horn arrangement and almost chanted vocals are all a treat for the ears, so don't be suprised if you find yourself singing this song for a few days after you hear it! The one that trumps them all however, is the heartbreakingly beautiful "Tune In Tomorrow", on this outright jazz tune, Teena and Co. stretch out to stunning effect. From it's stark piano intro and hushed singing the song builds up to its first crescendo, stops and builds again, all the while guided by Teena's tear-drenched vocal delivery.(Special Note: Listen and you can actually hear her crying and catch her breath as she sings, gradually working her way back up to the chorus.) This brilliant piece finally climaxes with some mind blowing scatting from our heroine and the band swinging behind her at breakneck speed, this is the most breathtaking moment on the album. A brief reprise of "You Make Love Like Springtime" closes out the set and features a harmonized background chorus of lyrics from Marvin Gaye's classic "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)". The star, of course, is Ms. Marie's incredible voice, an instrument unto itself. This is deeply satisfying, rewarding music from an underappreciated genius. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Classic R&B@its finest!!!!
I LOVE THIS WHOLE CD. THIS IS A GREAT CD DONE BY SOME GREAT SINGERS. I LOVE THESE SONGS. THIS WAS A REALLY GREAT GROUP; MANY PEOPLE DID REMAKES OF THEIR MUSIC. I LIKE ALL OF THE SONGS ON THIS CD. THIS CD MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD WHEN R&B WAS GOOD MUSIC. I LIKE THIS GROUP THEY SING WELL AND THE LYRICS ARE VERY NICE AS WELL. I ENJOY THIS WHOLE CD AND I WOULD RECOMMEND ANYONE WHO LIKES TAVARES OR CLASSIC R&B TO BUY THIS ALBUM YOU WILL DEFINITELY ENJOY IT.

Simply THE BEST
This CD is the Very best of the lot of all the collections. I already own the cassette of this album. I've pretty much worn it out, so I buying the CD version. The long-versions of Heaven.... and Don't take away the Music gets this collection off to a great start. Whodunnit is a great song that reminds us of the old detective shows. There is hardly a dud on this CD. A GREAT buy.

The right tracks for the right price
The following review refers to the mid-priced compilation "Best of Tavares", not "Capitol Gold: Best of Tavares". I had submitted it at the right place, but somehow it got posted under "Capitol Gold", too!

This compilation has only ten tracks and absolutely NO liner notes. Not even the songwriters are credited! That's why I give it four stars instead of five. Apart from that, all the essential tracks are here! There aren't many Tavares compilations out there which include both "More Than a Woman" AND "Free Ride". Plus, of course, "It Only Takes a Minute", "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" and "She's Gone". So forget about fancy packages and booklets and buy this CD for the MUSIC! You won't be disappointed!

A Great Group!
This is a best kept secret among soul enthusiasts.Tavares is perhaps the most underrated vocal group of all-time.These five men -- all brothers -- can flat out sing with anybody, anywhere!

Tavares good 70's love and soul
These brothers can really sing and deliver a vibe!Too bad they were much overlooked by the mainstream.Soul music lovers had them all to themselves.They were fabulous and much underrated! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A funky blue Skyy
Let me tell ya.I bought The Best of Skyy and when I heard it,They were jammin'throughout the CD.My all-time favorites"Here's To You","Call Me"&"Let's Celebrate".They sing some slow-jams which are alright but something to get you in the mood for the moment.I also took a listen to the others and they were quite good to say the least.The CD is ok for a party night and that's basically about it.

THE SONG YA'LL LOOKIN' 4
THE SONG WITH THE VERSE "DON'T BE AFRAID.........". THE SONG IS CALLED REAL LOVE AND IT WAS ON THE 1989 ALBUM THATS NO LONGER IN PRINT, BUT YOU CAN GET THE SONG ON THE SMOOTH GROOVES VOL.9 CD OR THE BODY AND SOUL (SWEET EMBRACE) CD.

DONT BE AFRAID OF THE WAY YOU FEEL!!!
THIS IS ME ONCE AGAIN, THE SONG TITLE OF THE SONG WITH THE VERSE OF "DONT BE AFRAID OF THE WAY YOU FEEL" IS CALLED "ITS' REAL LOVE", I'M ALMOST 100% SURE. THE MAN IN "BAHRAIN CLOSE TO HUSSEIN"!!!!

TITLe OF SONG
HEy PENNSICOLA, THE TITLE OF THE SONG IS CALLED:" THIS IS LOVE" AND IT IS ON SKY'S LAST ALBUM I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE CLUES THAT IS A SLAMMING, SONG. I HOPE YOU FIND IT

super skyy !!!!
I HAVE BEEN A FAN OF THE GROUP "SKYY FOR MANY YEARS. I LOVE THIS ALBUM. IT IS TRULY "FEEL GOOD" MUSIC !!! BUT, I AM LOOKING FOR A SONG MADE BY SKYY OR ONE OF THE FEMALE MEMBERS . I DON'T KNOW THE NAME BUT I KNOW A FEW OF THE LINES ,OF THE SONG : " DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE WAY YOU FEEL" OPEN YOUR HEART IF FEEL IT'S REAL ( IT'S REAL LOVE)." " I KNOW IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT YOU'VE EVER FELT THIS WAY BEFORE, BUT THOSE MEMORIES ARE STILL LASTING OF THE PAIN YOU GOT FROM YOUR TRUSTING ,SO WHEN LOVE COMES YOU WALK OUT THE DOOR, OH BUT THIS TIME BOY . DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE WAY YOU FEEL. . PLEASE HELP ME !!!! WHERE CAN I FIND THE ARTIST AND TITLE ?? ... Read more

Album Description

Dutch 'Best Of' for the disco diva best known for her signature hit 'I Will Survive', this 24 track collection features two versions of that disco classic along with covers of, 'Reach Out I'll Be There', 'How High The Moon', 'What A Wonderful World', 'Every Breath You Take', 'The Power Of Love' and many more including extended mixes. 2 standard jewel cases housed together in a slipcase. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I Am What I Am
I bought this collection because it was the only Gloria Gaynor greatest hits compilation to include the song "I Am What I Am". So for that reason, I recommend the CD, as strangely, you won't find the song elsewhere.

Aside from that, the rest of the CD includes the most famous hits by Gaynor (I Will Survive, Never Can Say Goodbye), plus a lot of covers, (Every Breath You Take, Power of Love).

Unlike most greatest hits CDs, this one includes absolutely no information about Gaynor, her career, or even the songs.There is no booklet whatsoever.

Gaynor is a great singer, but this is not a great CD, so as I said, buy it for "I Am What I Am", and look elsewhere for a better greatest hits collection.

I Will Survive.
Another 'Best Of' Compilation from the 'Disco Queen' this one covers many of her super hits plus a few other surprises. Perhaps the best collection in the market, including a generous number of songs. Her own rendition of "I will survive" still remains an evergreen dance-floor classic! ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's true that "nobody walks in L.A.," but this '80s-rock exercise collection could change all that. The Missing Persons song is missing, for obvious reasons, but that only makes room for what (by rock-of-the-'80s-compilation standards) is a relatively inspired selection. Tracks like Talk Talk's "It's My Life" and ABC's "Be Near Me" are as timeless as synth-driven pop songs can be, while Q-Feel's "Dancing in Heaven" and Yello's "Oh Yeah" are unusual choices that ratchet up the quirky novelty factor. Of course, there's also Re-Flex's "The Politics of Dancing" and the Romantics' "Talking in Your Sleep"--songs that have been so overplayed that some could go a lifetime without needing to hear them again. Even so, this mega-mix of one-hit wonders and other '80s artifacts will have you rolling up those blazer sleeves and hitting the pavement in no time. --Bill Forman ... Read more

Reviews (6)

MY KIND OF MUSIC THEN....AND NOW!
I haven't heard a lot of these songs since the mid 80's in high school. Hearing them now, and working out to them now, make me strive harder to get back to the shape I was in back then!! If you loved new wave music then this is a must have!!!

Good music for children of the 80's
This is a fun and motivating CD for all of us who grew up in the 80's. The songs are pretty fast-paced, but the music is up-beat so the workout goes fast.

Molly Ringwald Flashbacks!
This is a huge return to the eighties. Throughout my walk I was bombarded with images of my high school years. But I do have to say, the pace is perfect for walking.

I purchased this CD because I wanted to shed a few of those leftover baby pounds. So far I'd have to say that it's been pretty effective in that arena. The pace is quick, great to keep you going, but not too fast for walking with the jogging stroller.

And a simple warning for those of you with young babies. These songs, while kicky and fun, have a way of seeping into the crevices of your brain. It is for this very reason that I suggest skipping song #13 entirely. If you are up at two AM feeding a hungry baby, and this little ditty pops into your head, honey, you may never get back to sleep!

I made a fool of myself...
... singing and "dance-walking" along the boardwalk at Jones Beach State Park last weekend. This CD is packed with the music of my club years. The beat is FAST. With my short little legs I generally do this particular 4 mile walk in an hour, but with this CD I finished (with blisters) at around 50 minutes. I also popped it in the player at a poolside party on Sunday afternoon and my fellow 40-somethings thoroughly embarrassed their children by dancing on the deck (without the assistance of alcohol!) the rest of the afternoon.

exercise cd
It's a good selection of songs, but mostly an 'exercise tape'. The sound quality's good, but all tracks run together (no breaks) and the tempo of some tracks (specifically Send Me an Angel) is speeded up to match some desired pace.

Unfortunately, I was looking more for of a set of studio tracks on the CD. ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Brilliant
Fans of freakbeat, mod and/or psych-pop will already have most of this material. However, much of it will be either bootlegged or spread out over dozens of compilations. Rhino does an excellent job of bringing it all together in one 4 CD box. Further, the sound is extraordinary.

Neophytes to the freakbeat scene will find this wealth of material a bit overwhelming at first, but the sheer brilliance of the music will soon win them over. The most famous bands here are the Small Faces, the Move, the Creation and the Pretty Things. Fortunately, the lesser known groups contribute songs that stand up to the heavy weights in the genre. Stand out tracks are by the Masters Apprentices and the Yardbirds wanna-bes, the Misunderstood.

This set is the sequel to the first NUGGETS, which featured American garage acts from the 60s. NUGGETS II illuminates lesser known gems from around the world. In some ways, this set betters the original because it unearths obscure chestnuts that deserve to be heard 35 years later whereas many of the original set's songs are a bit more easily found. Frustratingly, the music illustrates how little popular music has progressed since these heady days. Mike Stax's liner notes are vital in explaining this music to people who are just now stumbling into the scene.

Hey Rhino, Are You Hiring?
Picking up where the first Nuggets box set left off, "Nuggets II" focuses on the rest of the world outside the continental U.S., including four discs of 60's Mod, Psychedelic, British R&B, and Freakbeat from all over the planet, even Iceland, Uruguay, Canada, and Japan. A handful of the bands contained within this compilation will be familiar to the casual garage fanatic (The Move, Status Quo, The Troggs, The Small Faces, The Pretty Things), but Rhino somehow managed to unearth gems from such seemingly obscure groups like The La De Das, Cuby & The Blizzards, Thor's Hammer, and Tintern Abbey. Like the sticker on my copy says, it "contains virtually no hits!", so be prepared for some surprises. Another beautifully packaged set from Rhino, including a reverentially compiled 100-page booklet loaded with photos, memorabilia, and information. I can't wait for Nuggets III!

Too much filler
I agree with Mr. Scott, this is a letdown from the previous box. There are enough great tunes in here to fill out a super-solid 2-disc set. Fortunately, I got my box at a discount (traded in a pile of used cds and got about 40 bucks whacked off the list price so it didnt hurt too much but still).

Disc 1 is the most consistent of the four, the others are more patchy but have some good tunes. Some of my favortie bands are represented (Move, Easybeats, Small Faces) and some surprises (The Mickey Finn track is AWESOME, couldnt stop playing the darn thing). And the tracks by Kaliedoscope are intriguing, though they sound a little too much like early Pink Floyd (and pale in comparison to the American band of the same name).

But the track that really knocked me out (even more than the Mickey Finn track) was Timebox's "Gone Is The Sad Man", an absoultey amazing song. As a whole though, this box is nowhere near as consistent as the first one, which goes to show that when it comes to great garage rock you just cant beat the good 'ol USA.

A major step down from the original, but still essential
The follow-up to the NUGGETS boxed set sort of had it in for itself from the get-go. How can you bottle lightning twice? You simply can't, but Rhino tried really hard with this set. The thick book packed with essays, band histories, and track-by-track histories makes up for the less-than-interesting songs it describes, but there are just too many duds to count in this set.

Disc 1 is the best of the box, with classics like The Creation's "Making Time" (UK), The Smoke's "My Friend Jack" (UK), Q65's "The Life I Live" (Sweden), The Haunted's "1-2-5" (Canada), The Thoughts' "All Night Stand" (UK), and even better tunes you've probably never heard of (We All Together's "It's a Sin to Go Away" [Peru], The Tages' "I Read You Like an Open Book" [Sweden], The Mockingbirds' "You Stole My Love" [UK], The Motions' "Everything" [Sweden], The La De Das' "How Is the Air Up There?" [New Zealand], The Marmalade's "I See the Rain" [UK], The Mickey Finn's "Garden of My Mind" [UK], The Easybeats' "Sorry" [Australia]).

Disc 2 is great, too, but the awesome songs are fewer and farther between. Highlights: The Misunderstood's "Children of the Sun" (UK), Wimple Winch's "Save My Soul" (UK), Them's "I Can Only Give You Everything" (Ireland), The Birds' "Say Those Magic Words" (UK), Golden Earrings' "Daddy Buy Me a Girl" (Holland), Timebox's "Gone is the Sad Man" (UK), Rupert's Peoples' "Reflections of Charles Brown" (UK, and a direct copy of Procol Harum's "White Shade of Pale), Love Sculpture's "In the Land of the Few" (UK), The Boots' "Gaby" (Germany), and The Creation's "Biff! Bang! Pow!" (UK).

Disc 3 and Disc 4 could have easily been shorn down into one disc; the fourth disc has two or three really good songs, but the third is fine. Highlights of Disc 3: Cuby and the Blizzards' "Your Body Not Your Soul", The Twilights' "Cathy Come Home", The Matadors' "Get Down from the Tree" (Czechoslovakia), Q65's "Cry in the Night" (Sweden), Los Chijuas' "Changing the Colors of Life" (Mexico), The Bluestars' "Social End Product" (New Zealand), The Guess Who's "It's My Pride" (Canada), The Open Mind's "Magic Potion" (UK), Episode Six' "Love Hate Revenge" (UK), The Status Quo's "Pictures of Matchstick Men" (UK), and The Downliners Sect's "Glendora" (UK). On disc 4, the sole redeeming gems are Tintern Abbey's "Vacuum Cleaner", The Wheels' "Bad Little Woman", Winston's Fumbs' "Real Crazy Apartment", The Zipps' "Kicks and Chicks", and The Small Faces' "Here Comes the Nice", those out of 28 songs!

The major problem with NUGGETS II is the inclusion of too many bands from the United Kingdom. Mainland Europe's garage/psychedelic bands had a lot more adversity to battle and usually came up with better R&B and head-thumpin' rock than their British counterparts. Perhaps Rhino should have released an all-UK box and then an all-international box? Regardless, it's a collection you'll definitely want to add to your shelf, just not one worth revisiting that often.

A very disappointing sequel
I loved the first Nuggets box, but this one blows chunks. These songs were forgotten for a reason. There are maybe a handful of catchy tunes, and the rest are boring as all heck. The type of music is fundamentally different from the first Nuggets, which was mostly hard-rocking garage; I guess you'd describe Nuggets II as psychedelic. Regardless, there's nothing on here remotely comparable to, say, "Psychotic Reaction" or "I Had Too Much to Dream" from the first box. Just dull, inspired, tuneless, obscure dreck. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Didnt Realize They Had So Many Hit Songs, Did You?
Strangely enough, The Human League actually has four completely different "Greatest Hits" compilations. The first was "Human League Greatest Hits" released in 1988 with 12 tracks. The second was "The Human League Greatest Hits" released in 1995 with 16 tracks. The third was "The Best Of The Human League" released in 1997 with 16 totally different tracks, and finally there's "The Very Best of The Human League" (hmm...yet another original title) released in 1998 with 13 tracks. What's even stranger, for Human League fans anyway, is that the song "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of" does not appear on any of these albums. So in addition to one of these compilations, you will still need to buy the League's signature album, "Dare!" to get this song, which IS one of their best songs ever.

Besides "Don't You Want Me", "(Keep Feeling) Fascination", "Mirror Man", "Human" and "Tell Me When", the other songs will probably not be so familiar with people in the United States because they were actually U.K top ten hits. The song "Being Boiled" which appears on three of the "Greatest" albums is the only disappointment simply because it is not the revamped techno-punk version that appears on the "Travelogue" album, but rather the original (and very bland) version that was recorded in 1978 on the Fast Product independent label. Otherwise, this really is a chock full of goodies from The Human League, the undisputed pioneers of synth pop.

A great collection!
This is a great collection of The Human League's greatest hits. They're all here including, "Don't You Want Me", "Human", "Fascination" and "Mirror Man". Also includes more of their lesser-known hits too. This is a great example of 1980's music at it's best. Buy this one!

Big hits that rule, but the rest......
What a mixed bag after a few listens this album became. The Human League is a great new wave group that had a few really important records throughout the eighties and nineties. Not enough though to make this monstrous hits set. Let's get into the songs you most certainly know.

There is the defining track of new wave and eighties that is "Don't You Want Me". A scenario of a man makes a star and her going it on her own. And she leaves him? The engaging dialogue really captures you and the techno savvy mix of keyboards is just legendary and catchy. "Keep Feeling Fascination" is a cute upbeat keyboard number with a touch of ska feel but without the horns. The things this group did with keyboards, I'll tell ya. "Human" is a sensitive love song and is a continue in the direction of new wave brilliance but this time R&B masters Jim Jam and Terry Lewis take a crack at the group. The production is a simple blend of drum machines and light touches of ivory. A classic of the big hair era and their second number 1 ("Don't You Want Me" being their first). Their next well known hit on here might be kind of obscure, but if you had an eye on MTV and VH1 for about a month or so in 1995 you got a listen to this clubby record with a retro feel. "Tell Me When" is very much like "Don't You Want Me" but the sound is updated for a Europe dance effort that is very catchy, but I don't know that it was a huge chart topper here.

You might know and be fond of those four songs like I was and still am, but looked at the rest of the set and wondered "This Could Be Good". Well the truth is revealed in this set that The Human League really isn't that pop of a band, but more of an out their New Wave experiment that worked a few times. The rest of the songs are for the most part dark sounding accounts of love. "Mirror Man" is Motown like trip to "The Church Of a Poison Mind" (although this came first). No one asked for this, did they? Trippy desire comes off as scary in "Open Your Heart" and "Love Is All That Matters". These early efforts along with "The Sound Of The Crowd" are just plain dated and horrible. "The Lebanon" gets so much talk here that you think it was a great political song, but it's so dry and pop rocky that it feels stale.

The non big hits aren't so bad, but a required taste that you don't expect on here. The fun pop hits on here, though, are quite essential and very danceable. For those hits, you might want to get this set, but the aging eighties synth arrangements drag the album down. Also, I know it odd that I have the import, but I found it on a trip and just had to get something musically different from the UK. Maybe next time I should go for something modern.

Worthwhile Greatest Hits
The Human League has released some above-average songs through the years. There are no duds on this hits collection. I've always thought that the lead singer had an original voice. No one else sounds like him. Far as I'm concerned, if they sound like no one else, they're not a bad singer. My personal favorites are: "Human," "Don't You Want Me," and "The Lebanon." These guys deserve respect for some of the best pop released.

A Fantasic Collection!
All the best songs from the Human League are included here. But I do feel that 'Heart Like A Wheel (1990)' and 'One Man In My Heart (1995)' are missing from this great collection. However too many great songs are included for this CD not to be given 5/5. The brillant 'Don't You What Me', 'Tell Me When' and 'Louise' are included alongside songs mainly from the 80's. A masterpiece! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Pop a la (Depeche) Mode.
1980s nostalgia aside, this is an okay release. While the music is as catchy and lively as synth pop records go, Germany's Camoflauge have released a debut that more than resembles a Depeche Mode record. "The Great Commandment" is the big single here, with synth touches and a semi-goth feel that sounds like an outtake from the recording sessions of DM's "Construction Time Again." The rest of the album is similar in vein, with dark touches that come up throughout the album. The lyrics are clumsy at best, showing that English is clearly not Camoflauge's first language. But no matter. For 1980s synth pop, you can do much worse than "Voices and Images."

The gigantic debut-album!
As the three friend Marcus Meyn, Heiko Maile and Oliver Kreyssig 1986 with a talent-competition of the Hessian radio with their demo-tape "Voices & Images" the first place covered and had a record-contract in the bag with it, nobody still suspected that exactly the three young nice musicians would land a giant-hit once. It should last another scarce year with the first single however. An original-version of "The Great Commandment" existed already 1986. At that time under the title "Suddenly Went Away". In the Dynaton studio in Weiterstadt, the song was processed and mixed additionally under the direction of Axel Henninger. The title originated: "The Great Commandment". Although these song get the text remained. At the 16th August 1987 was Camouflage musical guest in the ARD-Program "Spruchreif". The demand was now enormous. In September 1987, the debut-single "The Great Commandment" was finally published. This song was on the demo-tape "Voices & Images" doesn't contain. Pieces however other for it, that then also on the same-named debut-album "Voices & Images" present was, now including "The Great Commandment". This the first single not the only hit was, proved Camouflage impressively. In February 1988, the second single "Strangers Thoughts" appeared to and in March this after the demo-tape named debut-album "Voices & Images". The 12 songs on the CD bribe through critical, romantic and honest lyrics, that again-mirror the moods through the wonderful melodies incomparably. "That Smiling Face", "Neighbours", "From Ay To Bee", "Where Has The Childhood Gone" and "I Once Had A Dream" participates only some pearls of this beautiful album. Differently than a record-contract was completed in Germany after the import of the German Maxi-CD of "The Great Commandment" with Atlantic Records, a Warner Music Company. It became several Promos as vinyl and CD released afterwards. With very big success. Above all the radio-stations stirred up one downright synthie-pop-fever like Camouflage-Music. The wage: burst 1 in the Bill-board Dance Charts! And the equally two times! An absolute novelty until today! On these U.S.-Promos and U.S.-Maxi-CDs, new producers participated, created mixes and special-versions new, even greater! And these sound truly pointed! It participates only unfortunate that there was never this extravagant mix in Germany. "That Smiling Face" was published as succession-single. Additional promo-CDs released became also here. With renewed success! Consequently, the way was smoothed also for the American market to the debut-album. Great!!!

Signature Dark Synth Sound
You'll hear and read Camouflage referenced quite often. And for good reason too. While some will call Camo a DM ripoff this is not completely true. Sure there are obvious similarities but this album will make you realize that Camo probably got a little darker than DM usually liked to go up to that point in time (although that changed later on DM's masterful 'Black Celebration'). I also think that this German act had a sound that would dominate you more than Depeche or Erasure ever did. The monumental "The Great Commandment" just seems to take control of your body and force you to pump your feet. This actually was a harbinger of what would later become electro industrial which is where this song would likely be categorized if it were released today. TGC is obviously the main reason to own this album thouhg there are some other solid songs along with some weak ones.

Quite nice, but...
A nice album to listen to but had Depeche Mode never existed, I have a doubt Camouflage wouldn't have either. "The Great Commandment" is the obvious hit here, one of the few songs from my childhood I remember hearing everywhere. If they had cut this album down to about 5 or 6 songs it would have worked better because the Depeche Mode imitating gets a bit tiresome after a bit. In fact "The Great Commandment" is really the only song that stands out above the rest, that doesn't the rest is bad but the best albums are the ones where you buy them for the big hit single and it ends up that there's several better tracks on there. This album you're probably buying for TGC, and that's the best you'll be be getting.

Timeless, cutting edge electro-synth alternative music!
Like Kraftwerk, Camouflage weave perfectionist synth songs with incredible moving melodies and beauty! This release has to rank up there with the very best electronic/synth music EVER! The songs are tight as tight can be, and the vocals just gorgeous (their German accents are 'like buttah', only adding to the mix) and perfect for this masterpiece. Run, do not walk, to your local music outlet to pick this one up, as it should go down as a top ten electronic/synth release of all time! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is a great cd
it is a great cd for the whole famliy, it makes a great eddition to the movie, most of the songs you here are in the movie. I especially like Teenage Mutant ninja Turtles. I think it's great that they made a soundtrack to the movie. If You liked this one, get Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, & teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Secret Of The ooze soundtracks. tarzan boy is a good song ... Read more

Reviews (7)

one of the best various artist compilations there is!
I love this CD so much,all of the songs are just so great and bring back memories of a time that was so much better and more fun.I actually wanted to cry,when I listened to it,I was just so overwhelmed by the greatness of it.Every song on this CD is a treasure and Thank You,Rhino,for putting together such a fine compilation!Very highly recommended!!

No Eagles?
Real quick, if it doesn't have "Hotel California" or "New Kid In Town" it doesn't represent 1977.

Good Mixture Of Musical Styles
In my opinion the year of 1977 was a great year for music. Although some would say that the Disco stuff was trash, this CD blends not only rock, jazz and blues but gives us a taste of what people were dancing to in the clubs. If you are into different styles then this is the one for you.

Billboard Does It Again...
I have always been a fan of compliations of this sort. Even though these songs as a wee-bit older than I, they still stand the test of time. I had originally purchased the disc for one-song, but have heard a few of the others at one time or another. Overall, I was actually quite impressed with the organization of the disc. It has a good selection of songs from 1977. "Boogie Nights," "I'm Your Boogie Man," and "Car Wash" would probably be the most well known songs on the disc. They may be disco, but perhaps that's what makes them cool. Leo Sawyer and Marvin Gaye get their chance to shine. They both do a good job of fitting in on the disc, as Gaye is a legend of sorts in the industry. Seventies icon Peter Frampton is included with "I'm In You," which I find to be a pretty good melodic tune, as is "Rich Girl," by the great duo of Hall & Oates. These guys are an excellent addition to the disc. Lastly, there is my personal fav, "Undercover Angel." Alan O'Day may not have been an icon, but he truly knows how to belt out a tune. This song is full of great melodies, awesome lyrics and overall is a nice piece of 70's nostalgia. I recommend that you pick up this disc, along with other Billboard compliations, as these guys know how to put a disc together. And by the way, Disco may not rule now, but it still is cool in a retro sort of way!

This sure looks like dance music to me, boys and girls
Wow. If "Billboard Top Hits: 1977" features disco hits like Thelma Houston's "Don't Leave Me This Way" and Leo Sayer's "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing," what do they have on the "Billboard Top Dance Hits: 1977"? Well, of course, it is pretty much more of the same. Was disco really this dominant in 1977? Blessedly my musical memories have become dimmer and dimmer as the years have rolled along. The non-disco music scene is represented on this album by Peter Frampton, Hall & Oates, and Marvin Gaye. Even when we are talking disco the rules remain the same: with a hit collection the goal is to pick up five songs to add to your music library. This album falls short for me, but it might not for you. Good luck. ... Read more

Album Details

The First Full Length Album from the Bizarre German Singer who Moved to New York City Seeking his Fame and Fortune. David Bowie Had Caught his Nightclub Act and Offered Nomi a Job as a Backup Singer, an Opportunity which Changed his Life. Bowie's Appearance on "Saturday Night Live" (In a Skirt, No Less) with Nomi is One of the More Memorable Performances of the Era. Nomi's Own Music was Rock N Roll Fused with Opera and Everything in Between...and Thats a Lot of Spectrum! He Would Even Sing Songs in his Own Language! his Versions of Lou Christie's "Lightning Strikes" and Chubby Checker's "The Twist" Are Irresistable and his Own "Total Eclipse" Takes "Bohemian Rhapsody" to Further Heights! this Disc Will Simply Take Your Breath Away! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Rock, Pop and Opera
The album opens with Keys of Life, a lovely mix of twittering electronics and Nomi's soprano chant. His vocal range is beautifully demonstrated on Lightning Strikes where it switches to falsetto on the refrain, and on The Twist, a soulful, atmospheric number ending in squalls of manic laughter. Nomi Song has a catchy hook, lovely synth lines and snatches of rousing choral vocals, while The Cold Song is an impressive operatic piece and Total Eclipse is a magical blend of rock and classical music. The highlight of the album is the Saint Saens composition Samson and Delilah, sensitively interpreted by Nomi over the most inspired instrumentation, a listening experience that leaves you breathless before it ends with an explosion of electronic noise. This unique album is a successful marriage of rock, pop and various classical styles.

Rush Limbaugh Was Right!
I passed by and heard him play some of Klaus' music. He probably shocks people as the guy genuinely seems to enjoy the bouncy, over-the-top style of the late artist. All of you who think you know Rush should know he links to this CD all the time and encourages his listeners to buy it. I'm sure if Klaus were still with us, he'd say "You don't owe me, but thanks."

Nomi style
There are some artists who try to combine classical music with pop, and Klaus Nomi is obviously the most succuessful one. Not only because of his theatric make-up and performance, but also his high-range soprano voice! In this self-titled debut album, you can find 40's rock (Lightning Strikes), hard metal (You Don't Own Me) or even "popized" aria (Samson and Delilah), and you just can't find a word to name this strange combination, or you may call it Nomi style! It's a must-get CD, and more you listen to it, more you get into it!
... Read more

Album Details

Sandra May Be Best Known for her Vocal Work with Enigma (1990's 'MCMXC A.d' & 1994's 'Cross of Changes'). Enormous in Europe, Yet Surprisingly Unknown Stateside, this Gathering of Sandra's Solo Material Will Remind Listeners of her Dealings with Enigma. Includes More Than a Few Glowering Examples of Fine Euro-Pop (The German Top-Ten Singles 'Secret Land & 'We'll Be Together'), plus a Cover of the Disco Classic 'Everlasting Love' & Much More. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

The Godess of 80's
I still remember the days when we used to go crazy every time Sandra released a new album. She was the greatest female singer in the late 80's, at least where I used to live,(Iraq). A voice made in haven, great music, and even better lyrics. I made my mission to collect all her CD's when moved to Australia. Songs like 'Stop for a minute', Maria Magdalena, Everlasting Love 'the best version ever', will be remembered as the greatest pop songs ever played.

Sandra - I love this woman ...
What can a true Sandra fan say about 18GH, except that it's great and 18 is just too little! This album had the following effect on me; it made me go out and eventually buy all of Sandra's albums, from her first "The Long Play" to her final "Fading Shades'. The songs here are the "gems" of the previous albums, although all of her songs are true "gems". Thanks to her songwriter and husband, Michael Cretu of Enigma, we get to enjoy Euro-pop at it's finest. From her early (1985) "In the heat of the Night" to her later "Don't be aggressive" (1993), one is taken into an abyss of amazing rhythm, melodies, and sheer pleasurable power with the music. The amalgamation of synthesizers, drumo-computers and Sandra's voice is perfect, with nothing sounding out of proportion. By far the most enjoyable for me is "Heaven can wait", which is the song that introduced me to Sandra when I was only 11! It's certainly rated as one of her best, amongst her fans that is. Most of the album consists of music from the period 1985 - 1990. Times change, and the difference in style between "Don't be Aggressive (Close to Seven - 1993)" and the rest of the album is noticeable. It's amazing that the songs sound so different, and are all still so nice. The music is fast paced, which reflects how she used to sing in the 80's. Her albums used to contain at most 1 ballad, if that. In this album, one gets "Stop for a Minute" which CANNOT be found on any other album except this. Sandra doesn't cahnge her voice from song to song, as for e.g. Teri Nunn does. Many may have only heard "Maria Magdelena". While this is a superb song, there are others, which are better. The only thing better then this album, is the Video (18 Greatest Hits). Here we get to see Sandra singing these great tracks, along with the band members. Seeing Sandra move is also great! It reflects the true glitz and glamour of the 1980's, big hair, lots of jewelry, makeup and superb outfits; look for these in "Innocent Love (Mirrors - 1986)". Once again, the best video is "Heaven can Wait - (1988)", which uses the blue paradisiacal waters and rocky outcrops of Ibiza, Spain as it's backdrop.

It's just nice
It is just great! I was growing up with this music and I think it sounds so much better now after all these years than American music sounds now. Yes, probably Michael overdid a bit on disco sound. Myself I'm not into disco at all but Sandra even with all that "jazz" seems to pull it off! Well, it works for me. I'm no music critic or anything like that but her music makes me feel better, lighter and more hopefull. That's all I want from music.

Beautiful voice
I fell in love with Sandra in the second grade in Poland. She was on the top of charts with the album Paintings in Yellow and her light, danceable music got to me fast. All of her songs are poppy, light and pleasureable but she knows how to write songs also. From Johnny Wanna Live, to Hiroshima to When the Rain Doesn't Come, Sandra knew how important animal and people abuse is and she truly created touching songs on those matters. Her voice is rare due to its sheer, slick glide and her face compliments both her beautiful songs and voice. Maybe it is good that she did not become so commercialized and popular because the uniqueness might have been lost by being copied or altered. From her 70's Arabesque days to the grown up lyrics in the 90's, my love for Sandra will live for ever.

My favourites
What can I say.......after all these years, I still love this CD. You wouldn't believe how many times I listened to it, and I just don't seem to get tired of it.
My favourites are "Secret Land" and "Maria Magdalena", and only her newest album "Wheel of Time" offers even better songs.
A pure '80ies classic, and a perfect example of the incredibly fine music of that era. ... Read more

Album Description

German reissue of 1977 album, a classic example of keyboard wizardry. Repertoire. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

This is where it all started
All right all you trance and electronica people....if you really want to find out where the genre started, buy this CD. Giorgio Moroder almost single handedly introduced the world to disco/dance into the electronic age with this ground breaking masterpiece. Yes it has some dated elements, but these are overshadowed by the use of electronics as a viable and legit means of producing hypnotic dance music. As the liner notes state: Only electronic intstruments were used in this recording..this was an understatement. The medley on the B side shows Moroder at his seminal best away from headliners like Donna Summer (although Ms Summer remains as his best vocalist). What more can I say...GET THIS CD...take advantage of Amazons offer and get this along with E=MC2, the next visonary work from the legendary Giorgio Moroder....Keep dancin!!

This is Giorgio Moroder's ALL TIME GREATEST!
"From Here To Eternity" is by far the finest music from the premier techno- music pioneer of the 70's. While all the rave reviews have gone to his "Theme to 'Midnight Express'", which was a great song, "From Here to Eternity" was unquestionably his MASTERPIECE. NO Giorgio Moroder fan should be without this song in their collection!

Well, yeah!
Back in the late 70's there was this thing called LP's. They were like today's 12" singles , but they had different songs on them. They could only hold about 35 minutes of music. Also, recording technology wasn't was it is today. When you release an album from the 70's on CD in it's original format, it will seem short compared to today's 70 to 80 minutes of music on a single CD (usually filled with throw-away filler). Back in the 70's, music producers were not fixated with blasting the world with bass. The music to today's ears doesn't sound loud.

With that in mind, if you weren't old enough to hear this music in the 70's, this will not sound right to you. But, you have to listen to this with the history in mind.

Moroder was THE pioneer in electronic pop music. His groundbreaking work on Donna Summer's 1977 "I Feel Love" was the first time a song without "real" instruments hit the Top 40.

Moroder's work then paved the way for the 80's synth pop revolution.

Georgio Best
I first heard the title track as a young teenager growing up in new york,ever since then i was hooked.Now i have bought the cd so that i can listen to it on my long drives through the country.This is definitely classic electronic music at it's best.

From here to Eternity
I was very fortunate to have grown up listening & dancing to music from artist like Giorgio Moroder,Don Ray, Theo Vaness &
other great talent from the era. This CD can take you & bring you back from eternity & wish you were still dancing in Infinity.. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Absolutely fabulous
Far and away Summer's sweetest season, "Bad Girls" stands as a pop and disco classic 24 years after its release. And this expanded, remastered deluxe edition brings a new dimension to the reach and range of this stunning musical document. The original album (disc one) still stands strong. From the title track, to the rock-disco funk of "Hot Stuff," to the delightful romp of "Dim All the Lights," to the country touches of "On My Honor," the cuts on this record presented Donna's voice in a wide range of contexts, hinting at the changes that would come in her music the following year. Great. Disc two is where the party really starts. Running nearly 80 minutes, the 12-inch mixes pulsate, sway and groove in a way the album cuts cannot. The "Last Dance" mix is fabulous, while "Walk Away" is more fun in its longer incarnation. "MacArthur Park Suite" is a true dance classic, racing along at a frenetic 17 minutes and showcasing one of Donna's towering vocal victories. "Bad Girls" could have been left off since it is pretty much the same as the original album version, but "Dim All The Lights" and "No More Tears" really rock. So pick this great expanded edition up. It's an even better take on the greatest dance album in pop history.

Classic Summer album reissued. Brilliant!!!
This was always one of the best albums of all time, where Donna's million and multi million selling singles 'Dim all the lights', 'Hot stuff', and 'Bad girls' came from.

Now, it's been reissued in a fabulous, glossy, digipack, which folds out like the original double vinyl package, with extra photos and a real in depth write up on the recording of the album, as well as other hits of Summer's.

The set comprises 2 cds, the first which features the original 15 songs, as well as the demo of 'Bad girls' produced by Donna herself, which makes for an interesting contrast to the familiar album version. The styles range from dance, ballads, country, rock, to electronic music, a little something for everyone.

The second cd features 9 extended mixes, including the rare 'Foxes' movie soundtrack version of 'On the radio' (which is awesome), 'Mac Arther park Suite' (with the single version of 'Heaven knows' with horns, unlike the vinyl 'Live and more' version), 'I feel love, and more.

I actually got this, despite having the 'old' 'Bad girls' cd and it is well worth it. For newcomers, this is an excellent introduction to the sound of Summer, as it was nominated for 5 Grammys (including Album of the year, best pop song, best R&B song) of which 'Hot stuff' won for best rock song, topped the Billboard hot 200, and sold millions and millions, and shows why Donna Summer was, and still is the leader of the pack.

A Landmark Disco Album Time Is Forgetting
Disco was, as obsessed fans and music historians note, fueled by singles and 12" mixes. Scratch that- it was SO fueled by singles and 12" mixes that creating albums was practically an afterthought. Disco artists made albums, to be sure, but their album tracks tended to just coast on the strength of its accompanying singles; in other words, they were generally filler material. But music historians usually denote one album as the exception to this "singles and mixes" rule: the SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER soundtrack, since it was one of the rare disco albums that remained strong from start to finish. While historians are generally correct when they say disco was best known for its singles, their analysis does not give respect to the few disco albums that were strong from start to finish (and, technically speaking, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER was essentially a singles compilation, not an album, since it featured several artists' singles released before and during its accompanying movie, and singles took up most of that album, anyway). One of these few strong disco albums was the 1979 double-LP BAD GIRLS released by Donna Summer, an artist whose greatest strength in her career turned out to be singles. In this case, Summer's tag as a "singles artist" curses this album; it is because of this tag that BAD GIRLS has been largely forgotten by the general public.

The fact is, BAD GIRLS was arguably the greatest album to ever come out of the disco genre, and it was also one of its most transcendent; by dividing the LP into four sections- one for pop/rock-oriented dance material (tracks 1-4), one for straight disco (5-8), one for ballads (9-12), one for what would later be called electronica (13-15)-, BAD GIRLS provided a blueprint for many divas over the years to come (prime example: Madonna). This is an extremely infectious album, one that brims with ideas in every song and sounds richer with each listen. Of course, like any album directed towards the mainstream, BAD GIRLS did have singles-the tight, sexy "Hot Stuff" and the lustful title track are masterpieces; "Dim All the Lights" and "Walk Away" have first-rate productions-but they don't work against the rest of the album; they compliment it, since they make the album tracks' treasures more evident. Naturally, that trick couldn't have been pulled off if the album tracks were not good themselves, and BAD GIRLS never had a dull moment- in particular, "Love Will Always Find You" is intoxicating ear candy; "Can't Get to Sleep at Night" is seductive; the country-ish "On My Honour" and the lush, rich "There Will Always Be a You" are beautiful ballads; and the closing "Sunset People" is more alluring with every listen.

Now, it is true that this album sounds a little calculated, particularly in how the last song of every set prepares the listener for the first song of the next set (and yes, that includes "Sunset People" into "Hot Stuff"), but that is nitpicking, really, since any calculation can be considered negligible when the songs and production are good. And while it is true some of the production techniques clearly recall their time, the music itself has not dated because music this fresh and full of ideas never loses its impact. The fact of the matter is, BAD GIRLS is not just a great dance album, it's a great album. Period.

[In 2003, Universal gave BAD GIRLS a much-needed remastering by making the album part of its Deluxe Edition series; like all of the Deluxe Editions, the sound of the album has never sounded richer, and the packaging is stellar. Even though the Deluxe Editions tend to focus on demos as bonus tracks, the deluxe edition of BAD GIRLS only features one demo- a very good early version of the title track tacked on to the end of the first disc. (As Brian Chin claims in the liner notes, the album sessions for BAD GIRLS hardly had any demos.) This leaves the second disc for nine 12" remixes and singles from 1977 to 1980. Three of these mixes came before BAD GIRLS: The 12" mix of the monumental single "I Feel Love" (easily the most influential song towards dance music after the disco years) makes its influences more evident; a 12" 'promotional' single of "Last Dance" is a skillful reworking; the "MacArthur Park Suite" (which consists of a cover of Jimmy Webb's psychedelic chestnut "MacArthur Park," "One of a Kind," and "Heaven Knows") is presented in its entirety on record for the first time in years (however, it is cut off early, most likely because the second disc is already running close to 80 minutes). Four 12" mixes of the hits off BAD GIRLS follow: "Hot Stuff" adds a saxophone solo; "Bad Girls" does not sound any different from its album track (it must be mentioned that like the album, the two mixes are segued together); "Walk Away" and "Dim All the Lights" are not very interesting mixes. The 12" mix of the Barbra Streisand duet "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)" basically takes the original eight-and-a-half minute song and adds a guitar and rhythm vocal medley and an extra rendition of the chorus to the end, and "On the Radio" is the original album version from the FOXES soundtrack.

It should be mentioned that with the exception of the album version of "On the Radio," the rest of the material on this disc has been released before on CD, so those devoted fans on a tight budget who own the original CD issue may wish to think twice before upgrading. Still, like the album itself, none of these mixes have sounded as good as they do here, so in that sense, the Deluxe Edition is worth getting for that reason alone. But regardless of this edition's attributes, the second disc really doesn't offer any revelations; it's generally pretty good, but the music here works best as historical curiosities, meaning that it won't be played as often as the first disc. However, that's a typical nitpicking complaint with all of Universal's Deluxe Editions. Besides, unlike many of the Deluxe Editions in the series, these semi-rarities aren't simply tacked on to the CD for monetary purposes-they bring a greater perspective to the BAD GIRLS album itself.]

Mixed Bag: Not the Original MacArthur Park Suite
Ok, I am rather disappointed with this so-called "deluxe" version for the following reasons:

1. MacArthur Park Suite is NOT the original version from "Live and More": it is the 12" single version and it contains a shortened version of "One of a Kind" while seguing into the Radio Version of "Heaven Knows." This is NOT the originally mixed MacArthur Park Suite that we all know and love.

2. Extended version of "Walk Away" (my least favorite song)sounds awful and is in MONAURAL VS STEREO!! Figure that one out.

3. It is acoustically engineered on the "bright side" as mentioned earlier. I think it was to "match" the radio versons vs. the original somewhat murky MacArthur Park Suite when it was mixed.

The "Bad Girls" album sounds a bit better, but it is a bit bright and heavy on the high ends. I always found the original album to be decently engineered and crisp. Don't know why it was ear splittingly remastered.

All in all, it is a mixed bag. For the MacArthur Park Suite, buy the "Dance Collection" album -- before that one is remixed and changed!

Shame on you you Island Def Jam records!!! Stop playing with masterpieces and give us the real thing!

A Second Look at a Classic Album.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But if you do fix it, make sure it's an improvement over the original. And the reissue of Donna Summer's smashing "Bad Girls" CD is definitely an improvement over an already verified classic. It was the disco album that proved that there's more to the genre than beats and glossy production; beneath the simmering grooves of each track lies substance, heart, and soul. The classic singles "Hot Stuff," the title track, and "Dim All the Lights" are as commanding as anything by her rock and roll counterparts, and have aged beautifully in the two-plus decades since their release. "Bad Girls" was truly among the first filler-free disco albums and it stands as her definitive masterpiece. But even better is the second disc, which is a collection of some of her full length 12-inch mixes of her earlier singles. It's this second CD that makes the deluxe edition of "Bad Girls" all the more unmissable. Looking back at these mixes, it's pretty easy to conclude that Summer was really ahead of her time. The definite highlight is the complete, 17 minute "McArthur Park Suite," which sounds even better when remastered. Other highlights (well, EVERY song on this disc is a highlight) are the Hi-NRG groove of "I Feel Love," her signature "Last Dance," and the 11 minute version of her duet with Barbra Streisand "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)." This release also has a nice glossy booklet with photos and lyrics to each song. Summer may have earned her title Queen of Disco, but to limit her to that role would be unfair. "Bad Girls" ranks up there with the best albums of all time, and it's definitely worth picking up. ... Read more