Various Artists - 80's 12 Inch Special

A collection of 1980s pop hits consisting of versions originally released on 12" singles. Relax/Relax Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Love Action/Human League, Quiet Life/Japan, Fade To Grey/Visage, Walk Out To Winter/Aztec Camera, Wood Beez/Scritti Politti, etc Album Description

Worth the Pricey Tag!!!

As a DJ who started out on vinyl...I find it hard to find a lot of the 12" versions that Viynl DJ's are lucky enough to have. This Cd is expensive on the surface but man O' man is it ever worth it! Extended versions make it so much cleaner to mix with and after 20 years as a DJ... that's the name of the game...a clean mix from one song to another. I'm really diggin' "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and " Raspberry Beret"...both great 12" versions. "Rock Me Amadeus" is nothing more than the regular version and on the first disc "The Look Of Love" has a overly long intro that is really annoying and is a DUB remix...(not one of my favorite styles of remixes)..."Fresh" is also a really tight 12" version. Once again, this one is pricey but well worth the money especially if you were to break it down by the total price of all of these songs as singles ...if you look at it this way, this is a bargain...! June 18, 2007

The very 12inch maxi-versions of the 80s - indispensable !!!

The very 12inch maxi-versions of the 80s - indispensable !!! March 8, 2007

A Great 80's Music Collection to Start With!

Although all of the tracks are equally nice, I waited for the right time so I could have tracks "Putting On The Ritz" and "Fresh." The sound quality is excellent and the copy I have has both Japanese and English texts which makes it even more exciting. This album is worth it. January 26, 2007

Great Collection!

This is the best remix collection that has come out in years. Yes it's true, many of these songs have been released on other collections; however, there are many released on this double disc set for the first time like, Rock Me Amadadeus, Lessions in love, Puttin' on the Ritz, and One Night in Bangkok. These four songs are super rare. You will "Not" find these extended remixes anywhere else.

Prince's Raspberry Beret has been released on a UK cd single yaers ago. This version was also supposed to be on the new Prince Ultimate, but the collection was just discontinued before its release, and the UK single is no longer available either. This collection is the only place you'll get this remix for now.

This is also a very expensive collection, but if you like to collect rare remixes that sound awesome, you may want to get this rare edition before it too will be out of print! March 9, 2006

Another pricey import compilation of hard-to-find 80s 12" singles

First off, the sound quality is absolutely brilliant on this compilation of smartly selected songs. The only REAL issue I have with it is some of the version choices. Let's break it down:

CD1
1. Rock Me Amadeus...Falco (5:50) (says it's the 12" American edit...then why is it sung in German? The full length album version should have been on here)
2. The Look of Love...ABC (7:37) (excellent dub, also on the ABC Remix Collection Import CD)
3. Shout...tears for fears (7:59) (The US version AGAIN? Will the UK mix EVER surface on CD?)
4. girls just want to have fun...Cyndi Lauper (6:05) (the true 12")
5. rhythm of the night (dance mix)...debarge (5:43) (this mix is on the Debarge "Ultimate Collection" CD. This is not the vinyl 12" single version)
6. Fresh...Kool & The Gang (6:22) (this is the extended version, not the remix that actually got airplay. That mix is on "Kool & The Gang 12" collection and more")
7. In a Big Bountry...Big Country (6:17) (the 12" mix)
8. puttin on the ritz...taco (6:05) (AT LAST! The full 12" version on CD!!!)
9. Tainted Love...Softcell (8:54) (UGH! This 12" haunts every 80s CD that comes out)
10. Sussudio...phil Collins (6:34) (the 12" version, also on his 12"ers CD)

CD2

1. One Night in Bangkok...Murray Head (5:38) (WOW. The 12" mix on CD at last! The 12" mix does NOT include the orchestral intro, by the way)
2. Relax...Frankie Goes to Hollywood (7:23) (this version has appeared on numerous discs)
3. Everybody Wants to Rule the World...Tears for Fears (5:38) (12" version, also on the Billboard Top Dance 1985 disc)
4. Here Comes the Rain Again...Eurythmics (5:05) (AT LAST. The 12" version, which clocks in at only 15 seconds longer than the album version. This longer fade SHOULD have been on the Eurythmics remasters, but wasn't)
5. Obsession...Animotion (5:35) (Well, the 12" version is 6 minutes. This is the album version)
6. Fade to Grey...Visage (5:36) (Every 12" version I've seen is over 6 minutes, so not sure which version this is)
7. Maniac...Michael Sembello (5:54) (The full Jellybean club mix, previously only on the Casablanca Story boxed set as far as I know)
8. 19...Paul Hardcastle (5:13) (The 12" version. Ironically, the ALBUM version is longer, and is on the Priority Records compilation Rock of the 80s volume 15)
9. Lessons in Love...Level 42 (7:00) (not exactly their hit here in the US, but it is indeed the 12")
10. Raspberry Beret...Prince (6:35) (UNHEARD of...a Prince track on a compilation? And the FULL 12" version no less??? If only we'd get a full series of PRINCE 12" singles compilations so we could replace all our vinyl) February 21, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...