News/Compilation: Chrysalis Announce "Midge Ure Best Of" Collection

Midge Ure is back with a brand new compilation, following his recently acclaimed studio album A Man Of Two Worlds, Chrysalis Records will release a brand new Midge Ure Best Of collection, encompassing music he created in the 80s.

Featuring 15 newly mixed songs, including all the hits and, for the first time ever, new studio recordings of Visage's Fade To Grey and Phil Lynott's Yellow Pearl, Chapters: The Best Of is available on 2LP black vinyl and 1CD (standard edition) in a six-panel digisleeve.

A 3CD deluxe edition adds 10 newly commissioned remixes by artists and producers who have worked with Midge, including Craig Armstrong, Richard Barbieri and Steve Jansen (Japan), Wolfgang Flür (Kraftwerk) and Chris Payne (Visage/Gary Numan), as well as new instrumental remixes.

Midge's remarkable life in music did not stand still from the moment he arrived in London from his native Glasgow in 1977. He joined Glenn Matlock's Rich Kids. The following year, he and Rich Kids' drummer Rusty Egan formed Visage with Steve Strange. The line-up was completed by John McGeoch, Barry Adamson and Dave Formula from Magazine and Ultravox! keyboardist Billy Currie. Their second single, Fade To Grey, was a Top 10 hit. The new collection will be out on 13 November.

Chapters: The Best Of Tracklisting

CD One The Songs [2026 Stereo Mixes]

 

1. Yellow Pearl 

2. Fade To Grey 

3. No Regrets 

4. The Man Who Sold The World

5. After A Fashion [Midge Ure & Mick Karn] 

6. Living In The Past 

7. The Gift 

8. If I Was 

9. That Certain Smile 

10. Wasteland 

11. When The Wind Blows*

12. Call of The Wild 

13. Hell To Heaven*

14. Answers To Nothing 

15. Sister & Brother [Midge Ure & Kate Bush]

16. Dear God 

17. Remembrance Day 

 

 * Deluxe Edition bonus track

 

CD Two CONNECTIONS 

 

1. Fade To Grey – Chris Payne Mix 

2. After A Fashion – Richard Barbieri Remix 

3. The Man Who Sold The World – Midge Ure 2026 Remix 

4. That Certain Smile – Craig Armstrong Remodel 

5. Call of The Wild – Ty Unwin Reconstructed 

6. If I Was – Blank & Jones so8os Reconstruction 

7. Sister and Brother – Steve Jansen Remix 

8. Wastelands – Danny Mitchell’s  Remix 

9. Answers To Nothing – 2026 Rework 

10. Dear God – Flür/Duggal Remix

CD Three The Music [2026 Instrumental Versions]

1. Yellow Pearl 

2. Fade To Grey 

3. No Regrets

4. The Man Who Sold The World 

5. After A Fashion [Midge Ure & Mick Karn] 

6. Living In The Past 

7. The Gift

8. If I Was

9. That Certain Smile 

10. Wasteland 

11. When The Wind Blows 

12. Call of The Wild 

13. Hell To Heaven 

14. Answers To Nothing 

15. Sister & Brother [Midge Ure & Kate Bush] 

16. Dear God 

17. Remembrance Day 

A Super Deluxe Edition exclusive release features a Blu-ray Atmos mix of the compilation and a hand-pressed edition of the 2LP on splatter vinyl.

News/The Collection: Iron Maiden "50th. Anniversary Studio Album Collection Part One 1980-1992"

Iron Maiden will release a 10LP coloured vinyl box set in December as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations.

50th Anniversary Studio Album Collection Part One: 1980-1992 features the band’s first nine studio albums in the following coloured vinyl configurations:

• Iron Maiden – 1980 (Gold Vinyl)
• Killers – 1981 (Red Vinyl)
• The Number of the Beast – 1982 (Silver Vinyl)
• Piece of Mind – 1983 (Yellow Vinyl)
• Powerslave – 1984 (Gold Vinyl)
• Somewhere in Time – 1986 (Oxblood Vinyl)
• Seventh Son of a Seventh Son – 1988 (White Vinyl)
• No Prayer for the Dying – 1990 (Olive Vinyl)
• Fear of the Dark (2 LP) – 1992 (Blue + Yellow Vinyl)

50th Anniversary Studio Album Collection Part One: 1980-1992 will be released on 11 December 2026.

The Compilation: Now Yearbook Vault '86

NOW Music's Yearbook Vault series continues next month, when the spotlight falls on 1986, and songs that were minor hits, hit-adjacent or, and let’s use the word, flops.

For this release, the usual "Yearbook" 4CD option of deluxe hardcover book packaging or more basic card sleeve edition, offers 77 tracks, while a 3LP coloured vinyl (purple) delivers 44 songs from 1986.

For this Vault compilation, because there's some relatively big names here such as Paul Young's first single from his third solo album, 1986's Between Two Fires, had been "Wonderland". Vault ’86 also reminds us that acts we know and love as one hit wonders did actually ‘try again’; they didn’t want to be one hit wonders, after all. So yes, Belouis Some did release a few singles that weren’t ‘Imagination’ and funnily enough one of them was called ‘Some People‘! It was a very minor hit, but if history teaches us anything, it’s that 1986 was not a year to release a song called ‘Some People’. ‘Ed’s Funky Diner‘ was actually a great follow-up to It’s Immaterial’s ‘surprise’ hit.

Other tracks include Nik Kershaw's ‘Nobody Knows’ (No 44) and Howard Jones’ All I Want (No 35), both artists, like Paul Young, experimenting with new producers (in Nik’s case himself!) and it not really working out. The Thompson Twins‘ ‘Nothing in Common’ wasn’t released in the UK, but it didn’t trouble the upper reaches of the American chart when it was issued there (their previous two singles had been top 10 hits Stateside). Three singles from Sting's brilliant The Dream of the Blue Turtles album failed to get into the UK top 40 which seems crazy, and ‘Moon Over Bourbon Street‘, when issued as the fifth 45 (A&M were probably enthused because ‘Russians’ had reached No 12) was the last of them (No 44). Sting would have to wait until 1994 before chalking up a solo UK top 10 single (‘When We Dance’).

Tears For Fears make an appearance on Vault ’86, with a song that was both the first and last single from Songs From The Big Chair: ‘Mothers Talk‘. Included here is the US Mix, not issued in the UK. In America, it reached 27 which sounds decent, until you recall that the first three singles from the album were No 1, No 1 & No 3!. Roland Orzabal told this writer that he much preferred the version re-recorded for the North American market: “I always thought we got ‘Mothers Talk’ slightly wrong. It was a bit too fast. The US version worked really well, we were happy”. There’s plenty more interesting selections on this new compilation; scroll down for full tracklistings.

NOW Yearbook Vault ’86 will be released on 18 September 2026.

 

4CD Track List:

 

CD 1

1. Paul McCartney – Only Love Remains

2. Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart – The Miracle Of Love

3. The Lover Speaks – No More “I Love You’s”

4. Sting – Moon Over Bourbon Street

5. Chris Rea – On The Beach

6. The Bangles – If She Knew What She Wants

7. Belinda Carlisle – Mad About You

8. Billy Idol – To Be A Lover

9. Daryl Hall – Dreamtime

10. Paul Young – Some People

11. Wax – Right Between The Eyes

12. Nick Heyward – Goodbye Yesterday

13. Nik Kershaw – Nobody Knows

14. Thompson Twins – Nothing In Common

15. Howard Jones – All I Want

16. Ultravox – Same Old Story

17. Belouis Some – Some People

18. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – We Love You

19. ABC – Ocean Blue

 

CD 2

1. David Sylvian – Taking The Veil

2. Talk Talk – Living In Another World

3. Arcadia – The Flame

4. John Taylor – I Do What I Do (Theme for 9 1/2 Weeks)

5. China Crisis – Arizona Sky

6. It’s Immaterial – Ed’s Funky Diner

7. The Mission – Stay With Me

8. The Jesus And Mary Chain – Some Candy Talking

9. Siouxsie And The Banshees – Candyman

10. Cocteau Twins – Love’s Easy Tears

11. Mint Juleps – Only Love Can Break Your Heart

12. Everything But The Girl – Come On Home

13. Sandie Shaw – Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken?

14. Big Audio Dynamite – C’Mon Every Beatbox

15. The Stranglers – Always The Sun

16. The Housemartins – Sheep

17. Fine Young Cannibals – Funny How Love Is

18. The Blow Monkeys – Wicked Ways

19. Simply Red – Jericho

20. Elton John – Cry To Heaven

 

CD 3

1. The Communards – Disenchanted

2. Bronski Beat – C’mon! C’mon!

3. Yello – Goldrush

4. Grace Jones – I’m Not Perfect (But I’m Perfect For You)

5. Aretha Franklin – Another Night

6. Chaka Khan – Love Of A Lifetime

7. Cameo – Candy

8. Hollywood Beyond – No More Tears

9. El DeBarge – Who’s Johnny

10. Matt Bianco – Dancing In The Street

11. Carmel – Sally

12. Dee C. Lee – Come Hell Or Waters High

13. Maxi Priest – Strollin’ On

14. UB40 – All I Want To Do

15. Loose Ends – Slow Down

16. Ruby Turner featuring Jonathan Butler – If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me)

17. Billy Ocean – Love Zone

18. Lionel Richie – Love Will Conquer All

19. Gloria Estefan – Words Get In The Way

 

CD 4

1. Tears For Fears – Mothers Talk (U.S. Remix)

2. Wang Chung – Everybody Have Fun Tonight

3. Stacey Q – Two Of Hearts

4. Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam (with Full Force) – All Cried Out

5. The Fixx – Secret Separation

6. The Outfield – Your Love

7. Glass Tiger – Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)

8. Pat Benatar – Le Bel Age

9. Heart – Nothin’ At All

10. Boston – Amanda

11. Don Johnson – Heartbeat

12. Meat Loaf – Rock ‘N’ Roll Mercenaries

13. ZZ Top – Stages

14. Mr. Mister – Is It Love

15. Huey Lewis & The News – Hip To Be Square

16. The Moody Blues – Your Wildest Dreams

17. Mike + The Mechanics – All I Need Is A Miracle

18. Billy Joel – A Matter Of Trust

19. Bruce Springsteen – War (Live at LA Coliseum)

The Compilation/News: Rough Trade Announced 45s Volume 2 Boxset

 

Rough Trade Records announced the release of their Volume 2 of seven-inch singles boxset. The legendary London Label will release a second volume of their acclaimed boxset series tracing some of the key seven-inch singles in the independent label's history on 30 October.

Following the first set which came out last year and focused on the indie's first few years of existence, Volume 2 will feature nine seven-inch singles from the 1980s to the early 1990s, marking the period when Rough Trade came of age as a label.

Nine disc set includes repressings of handpicked 1980s and 1990s releases from The Fall, Scritti Politti, Robert Wyatt, Aztec Camera, The Go-Betweens, Jonathan Richman, The Sundays and Mazzy Star Additionally The Smiths' The Headmaster Ritual becomes a Rough Trade single especially for this release at Morrissey and Marr's request, with unique b-side plus new artwork from Morrissey

Sleeve notes feature new interviews with Rough Trade co-MDs Jeannette Lee and Geoff Travis, plus contributions from Elvis Costello, Harriet Wheeler, Anton Corbijn, Stewart Lee and more.

Handpicked by Rough Trade’s co-MDs, Jeannette Lee and Geoff Travis, the tracks represent a mix of key releases and personal favourites. Starting with The Fall's 1980 Totally Wired, Scritti Politti's The Sweetest Girl, Robert Wyatt's Shipbuilding, Aztec Camera’s Oblivious, The Go Betweens' Cattle and Cane, Jonathan Richman's That Summer Feeling and The Sundays' Can't Be Sure have all been repressed on seven-inch, including b-sides, as they were released by the label at the time.

Mazzy Star's cover of Love’s Five String Serenade, which appeared on Rough Trade's single's club in 1993, appears as the original release, but its b-side has been switched at Lee and Travis' request for David Roback and Hope Sandoval’s version of Slap Happy’s Blue Flower to create a unique “covers release”.

In addition to these original releases, Volume 2 also boasts a ninth,  "new" single which has been created at the request of members of The Smiths, and will only be available in this edition. Although it was released in Netherlands, The Headmaster Ritual had never been an official Rough Trade single until now. At Morrissey and Marr's request the track from Meat Is Murder is backed by I Want The One I Can’t Have as its b-side, while Morrissey has overseen the creation of brand new artwork for the seven-inch.

Both band members have contributed to the sleeve notes that accompany Volume 2, which also includes contributions from Elvis Costello, Stewart Lee, Roddy Frame, Green Gartside, Jonathan Richman, The Sundays’ Harriet Wheeler, David Gavurin and The Go-Betweens' Lindy Morrison and Robert Forster. Plus, there is a brand new, extensive interview with Travis and Lee, who discuss the label during the 80s and 90s, the music and their collaborations with the artists featured.

The sleeve notes also contain memorabilia and imagery from the Rough Trade archive, along with contributions from Anton Corbijn, Laura Levine, Paul Slattery, David Corio and more, who photographed the artists at the time.

Like its predecessor Volume 1 – which included singles from Augustus Pablo, Young Marble Giants, Cabaret Voltaire, The Raincoats and more – this second Rough Trade seven-inch boxset is strictly limited to 1000 copies worldwide.

Rough Trade 45s Volume 2 Box Ser Tracklisting:

 

7" -  RT056 - 1980

The Fall - "Totally Wired"
B-Side: "Putta Block"

7"   -  RT091 - 1981
Scritti Politti - "The Sweetest Girl"
B-side: "Lions After Slumber"
 
7"  RT115 - 1982
Robert Wyatt - "Shipbuilding"
B-Side "Memories of You"
 
7"  -  RT122 - 1983
Aztec Camera - "Oblivious"
B-Side "Orchid Girl"
 
7"  - RT124 - 1983
The Go Betweens - "Cattle and Cane"
B-Side: "Heaven Says"
 
7" -  RT152 - 1984
Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers - "That Summer Feeling"
B-Side: "This Kind of Music"
 
7" -  RT0507S - 2026
The Smiths - "The Headmaster Ritual"
B-Side "I Want the One I Can't Have"
(Originally released in the Netherlands 1985 with B-side Oscillate Wildly - new B-side for this release selected by the band)
 
7" - RT218 - 1989
The Sundays - "Can't Be Sure"
B-Side: "I Kicked a Boy"
 
7" -  45rev19x – 1983
Mazzy Star "Blue Flower"
B-Side: Mazzy Star  Five String Serenade
(the single was originally released with B-side Under My Car, but has been changed at Rough Trade’s request for this edition)

The Reissue/Compilations: Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits

Warner's 1988 Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits compilation, which was released at the time to capitalise on the success of Tango in the Night, is now being reissued as a deluxe edition, on CD and vinyl, next month.

Originally, this was a 13-track compilation on vinyl, but the CD format delivered 17 tracks in a slightly re-jigged running order.

This new deluxe edition offers 23 tracks in total, although spreads these out across two discs. So CD 1 offers the original 13-track vinyl running order from 1988 and moves four tracks to CD 2 with six further bonus tracks.

Greatest Hits deluxe is released on 31 July 2026 via Rhino for US and Canada only. Rest of the World gets it on 28 August.

2CD Track List:

 

CD 1

1. Rhiannon

2. Don’t Stop

3. Go Your Own Way

4. Hold Me

5. Everywhere

6. Gypsy

7. As Long As You Follow

8. Say You Love Me

9. Dreams

10. Little Lies

11. Sara

12. Tusk

13. No Questions Asked

 

CD 2

1. Landslide

2. Big Love

3. Over My Head

4. Oh Diane

5. You Make Loving Fun

6. The Chain

7. Think About Me

8. Seven Wonders

9. Never Going Back Again

10. Silver Springs (Live)

The Reissue: The Best & The Rest Of New Order

New Order's 1994 compilation The Best Of New Order will be combined with 1995 remix album The Rest Of New Order for a new limited edition 4CD set that adds unreleased and new-to-CD mixes.

The original "Best Of" compilation compiled seven-inch mixes of the band's hits from 1985 onwards, while adding four new '94 mixes. A year later the remix album was led by the Hardfloor Mix of "Blue Monday."

The audio for the new set has been remastered and while a 2CD edition is also available, most fans are going to be interested in the 4CD deluxe version with its unreleased mixes including the Hawtin Mix – Alternate Version 2 of "Blue Monday", a full length version of "1963 94" and the Eschreamer Mix of "True Faith 94". New to CD mixes include "World (Price of Dub)",  "True Faith (Sexy Disco Dub)" and "Regret (Sabres Low 'n' Slow)". The packaging looks to be the same as the Substance CD reissue.

As well as the 4CD and 2CD variants of what is now called The Best & The Rest Of New Order, the individual compilations are reissued on 2LP and 3LP sets respectively with remastered audio cut at Abbey Road.

All versions are released on 17 July 2026 via Warner Music.

 

The Best & The Rest Track List 4CD Deluxe 

 

CD 1

1. True Faith-94

2. Bizarre Love Triangle-94

3. 1963-94

4. Regret

5. Fine Time

6. The Perfect Kiss

7. Shell Shock

8. Thieves Like Us

9. Vanishing Point

10. Run 2

11. Round & Round-94

12. World (Price Of Love)

13. Ruined In A Day

14. Touched By The Hand Of God

15. Blue Monday-88

16. World In Motion

 

CD 2

1.World (Perfecto Mix)

2. Blue Monday (Hardfloor Mix)

3. True Faith (Shep Pettibone Remix)

4. Confusion (Pump Panel Reconstruction Mix)

5. Touched By The Hand Of God (Biff & Memphis Remix)

6. Bizarre Love Triangle (Armand Van Helden Mix)

7. Ruined In A Day (K-Klass Remix)

8. Regret (Fire Island Mix)

9. Age Of Consent (Howie B. Remix)

10. Spooky (Magimix)

 

CD 3

1. Let's Go (Nothing For Me)

2. Bizarre Love Triangle (Remix)

3. 1963-95

4. Everything's Gone Green (Dave Clarke Mix)

5. Temptation (CJ Bolland Mix)

6. Blue Monday-95 (Hawtin Mix)

7. True Faith-94 (Perfecto Mix)

8. 1963 (Lionrock M6 Sunday Morning Mix)

9. Confusion (Pump Panel Floatation Mix)

10. Everything's Gone Green – Electric Green

11. Spooky (Nightstripper Mix)

12. 1963-95 (Blackout Mix)

 

CD 4

1. 1963 '94 (Full Length)

2. Spooky (Sub Sub 12” Remix)

3. Blue Monday-95 (Hardfloor Dub)

4. 1963 (Joe T. Vanelli Light Mix)

5. True Faith-94 (Eschreamer Mix)

6. World (Price of Dub)

7. True Faith (Sexy Disco Dub)

8. Regret (Sabres Slow 'n' Low)

9. Blue Monday (Hawtin Mix – Alternate Version 2)

The Compilation: Now Vault '85

NOW That’s What I Call Music continue with their Yearbook Vault releases of "lesser compiled" tracks with a look at 1985. 4CD and 3LP coloured vinyl collections dig deep into the year’s musical landscape – with 78 tracks on the CD editions and 45 songs across three coloured (green) vinyl LPs.

The 4CD set – which comes in the usual deluxe hardcover book and card sleeve editions opens with Bruce Springsteen’s "My Hometown" – the last single from the mega-selling Born in the USA before moving on to Bryan Ferry and Sting with "Windswept" and "Love is the Seventh Wave". Both of those songs are classic Vault tracks: great tracks off classic albums (Boys and Girls and The Dream of the Blue Turtles, respectively) that peaked WAY short of where many assume they did (neither cracked the UK top 40). Go West’s "Eye to Eye" was only a single in the US, while ABC's "Be Near Me" was released both sides of the Atlantic, but fared much better Stateside. This disc continues with offerings from Fine Young Cannibals, China Crisis, Simply Red, Thompson Twins and the Art of Noise.

The second disc has an alternative flavour, at least initially, with songs from Cocteau Twins, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Dream Academy and New Model Army before widening it’s net and scoping up minor hits from the likes of Tina Turner, Matt Bianco, Chris Rea and Squeeze.

CD3 has a dance floor slant with tracks including Cameo’s brilliant "She's Strange", Sheryl Lee Ralph's "In The Evening", the Stock Aitken Waterman produced "The Heaven I Need" by The Three Degrees and Divine's cover of "Twisting The Night Away". Elton John & Millie Jackson's "Act of War"  was a minor hit a few years before Nikita revived Reg's commercial success in the UK.

CD 4 has the kind of artists oftenly find on US compilations from the 80's such as Pat Benetar, Bon Jovi, John Mellencamp, Kim Carnes, Dio, The Cars, Rick Springfield etc. 

NOW Yearbook Vault ’85 will be released on 15 May 2026.

Track List: 

CD 1

1. Bruce Springsteen – My Hometown

2. Bryan Ferry – Windswept

3. Sting – Love Is The Seventh Wave

4. Go West – Eye To Eye

5. Scritti Politti – Perfect Way

6. ABC – Be Near Me

7. Fine Young Cannibals – Blue

8. The Colourfield – Castles In The Air

9. China Crisis – You Did Cut Me

10. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – La Femme Accident

11. Midge Ure – That Certain Smile

12. Blancmange – What’s Your Problem

13. Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder – Good-Bye Bad Times

14. Heaven 17 – …(And That’s No Lie)

15. Simply Red- Come To My Aid

16. The Style Council – Come To Milton Keynes

17. The Power Station- Communication

18. Adam Ant – Vive Le Rock

19. Thompson Twins – Revolution

20. TheArt Of Noise- Legs

 

CD 2

 

1. Cocteau Twins – Aikea-Guinea

2. The Jesus And Mary Chain- Just Like Honey

3. The Dream Academy-The Love Parade

4. Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Green Shirt

5. The Clash – This Is England

6. The Stranglers – Let Me Down Easy

7. The Damned – The Shadow Of Love

8. Sisters Of Mercy- No Time To Cry

9. New Model Army-No Rest

10. This Island Earth – See That Glow

11. Marillion- Heart Of Lothian

12. Bonnie Tyler with Todd Rundgren – Loving You’s A Dirty Job (But Somebody’s Gotta Do It)

13. Tina Turner – Show Some Respect

14. Princess – After The Love Has Gone

15. Loose Ends – Golden Years

16. Brilliant- It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World

17. Matt Bianco-More Than I Can Bear

18. Daryl Hall & John Oates – Method Of Modern Love

19. Chris Rea- Stainsby Girls

20. Squeeze – Last Time Forever

 

CD 3

 

1. Sheryl Lee Ralph – In The Evening

2. Barbara Pennington – On A Crowded Street

3. Miquel Brown – Close To Perfection

4. The Three Degrees – The Heaven I Need

5. Hazell Dean- They Say It’s Gonna Rain

6. Laura Branigan-Spanish Eddie

7. Divine – Twistin’ The Night Away

8. Eddie Murphy – Party All The Time

9. Patti LaBelle – New Attitude

10. Elton John & Millie Jackson – Act Of War (Part 1)

11. The Pointer Sisters – Baby Come And Get It

12. Ready For The World – Oh Sheila

13. The Limit – Say Yeah

14. Mary Jane Girls – In My House

15. Steve Arrington – Dancing In The Key Of Life

16. Cameo – She’s Strange

17. Sister Sledge- Dancing On The Jagged Edge

18. Five Star – R.S.V.P.

19. Eighth Wonder – Stay With Me

20. Marilyn – Baby U Left Me (In The Cold)

 

CD 4

 

1. Billy Joel – You’re Only Human (Second Wind)

2. David Lee Roth- California Girls

3. John Mellencamp – Small Town

4.Bon Jovi – In And Out Of Love

5. Dio – Rock ‘N’ Roll Children

6. Pat Benatar – Invincible

7. Kim Carnes – Crazy In The Night (Barking At Airplanes)

8. Oingo Boingo – Weird Science (From “Weird Science” Soundtrack)

9. Animotion – Let Him Go

10. The Cars – Tonight She Comes

11. ‘Til Tuesday – Voices Carry

12. Foreigner- That Was Yesterday

13. Journey – Only The Young

14. Rick Springfield – State Of The Heart

15. Michael McDonald- No Lookin’ Back

16. Philip Bailey – Walking On The Chinese Wall

17. Chaka Khan- Through The Fire

18. Whitney Houston – You Give Good Love

Albums: Various Artists "Remix / Remodel – The Vince Clarke Remixes"

Cherry Red has announced a new 2CD compilation of remixes by electro-pop pioneer Vince Clarke, out in June.

Remix / Remodel – The Vince Clarke Remixes follows Clarke’s sideline as a prolific remixer, featuring tracks chosen by the man himself. The compilation includes well-known remixes – such as Clarke’s spin on the Happy Mondays' "Wrote For Luck" and Depeche Mode’s "Behind The Wheel" – alongside many reworkings that have only previously been available as digital releases or promo CDrs.

Among the latter category are Blossoms' "To Do List (After The Breakup)", a streaming-only release from 2024; Clarke's take on James Yorkston & Nina Persson's "A Moment Longer", a digital-only single last year; and Hifi Sean & David McAlmont's "Real Thoughts In Real Time", from a 2023 digital-only EP. The compilation also boasts a remix previously unreleased in any form – of ABAZABA & Gogol Bordello's  "Isolation" the Joy Division cover.

Remix / Remodel’s sleeve notes have been written by Richard Evans of the official Erasure fan club and website, the Erasure Information Service. Meanwhile, Clarke has added 'album sleeve photographer’ to his crammed CV by taking the cover shot of his cat, Smudge.

Remix / Remodel – The Vince Clarke Remixes is out 26 June via Cherry Red.

Track List:  

 

CD1:  

1. Happy Mondays – W.F.L Wrote For Luck (Vince Clarke Remix)

2. Chad Valley – Up & Down (Vince Clarke Remix)

3. The Saturdays – Issues (Vince Clarke Club Mix)

4. Blossoms ft Findlay – To Do List (After The Breakup) (Vince Clarke Remix)

5. Johnny Marr – Spirit Power & Soul (Vince Clarke Remix)

6. James Yorkston – A Moment Longer (featuring Nina Persson) (Vince Clarke Remix)

7. YOVA – Rain (Vince Clarke Remix)

8. Soft Cell – Bedsitter (Erasure Remix)

9. A Place To Bury Strangers – In Your Heart (Vince Clarke Remix)

10. Bleachers – I Wanna Get Better (Vince Clarke Remix)

11. Andy Bell – Dance For Mercy (Vince Clarke Remix)

12. Hifi Sean & David McAlmont – Real Thoughts In Real Time (Vince Clarke Extended Version)

13. Dido – End Of Night (Vince Clarke Remix

 

CD2 

1. Depeche Mode – Behind The Wheel (Vince Clarke Extended Vocal)

2. Fujiya & Miyagi – Fear Of Missing Out (Vince Clarke Remix)

3. Franz Ferdinand – No You Girls (Vince Clarke Remix)

4. ABAZABA featuring Gogol Bordello – Isolation (Vince Clarke Remix)

5. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Almost (Vince Clarke Remix)

6. James Yorkston – Shallow (Vince Clarke Remix)

7. Saint Etienne – Blue Kite (Vince Clarke Remix)

8. Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan – A Shared Sense Of Purpose (Vince Clarke Remix)

9. Future Islands – Doves (Vince Clarke Remix)

10. Reed & Caroline – Electrons (Vince Clarke Remix)

11. Dubfire & Miss Kittin – Ride (Vince Clarke Remix)

12. Alka – Faito (Vince Clarke Remix)

13. VCMG – Aftermaths (Vince Clarke Remix)

Rocktrospectiva: The Beatles Compilation "Anthology 2" Turns 30

Released on 18 March 1996 "Anthology 2" was a compilation album by the Beatles, released by Apple Records as a part of The Beatles Anthology series. It featured rarities, outtakes and live performances from the 1965 sessions for Help! until the sessions immediately prior to their trip to India in February 1968. It was the second in a quartet of albums with Anthology 1, Anthology 3, and Anthology 4 and all of which tie in with the televised special The Beatles Anthology. The opening track "Real Love", was released as a single and like its predecessor, the album topped the Billboard 200 album chart.

 

"Real Love", as with "Free as a Bird", were based on a demo made by John Lennon and given to Paul McCartney by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. The three surviving Beatles (McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr) added guitars, bass, drums, percussion and backing vocals, but unlike with the previous song, did not re-work the lyrics or music. "Real Love" remained solely credited to Lennon, becoming the only Beatles song to have Lennon by himself in the writing credit. 

 

The disc one contains three unreleased compositions, one being an instrumental entitled "12-Bar Original", recorded for Rubber Soul but subsequently unused. Two other songs recorded for Help!, "If You've Got Trouble" and "That Means a Lot", were abandoned and never returned to again by the band. The former was originally slated to be the usual vocal spot for Ringo Starr on Help!, and the latter was eventually given to singer P.J. Proby. The version of "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby" from the group's famed August 1965 show at Shea Stadium but left out of the documentary about the show appears for the first time. "I'm Down" was originally listed as Track 7 (in its correct place chronologically) but was shifted out of sequence to Track 3 at the last minute, at Paul McCartney's request. The album had already gone to press and McCartney reportedly paid the re-printing costs himself. 

 

Disc two contains work-in-progress versions of tracks from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Magical Mystery Tour. The take of "Strawberry Fields Forever" that made up the first minute of the released record appears in its entirety on track three. Also included are three songs that were started during this period – "Only a Northern Song", "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)" and "Across the Universe" – but would not see release until years later, in 1969 and 1970. 

 

McCartney had hoped to include "Carnival of Light", an unreleased experimental piece that the Beatles recorded during the sessions for Sgt. Pepper in 1967; however, the idea was vetoed by Harrison, Starr and Ono on the grounds that the track was never intended for a Beatles release. Among the songs that were in the running for inclusion on the compilation but ultimately passed over were the following: the 1965 Shea Stadium performance of "She's a Woman"; a live version of "Nowhere Man", recorded in Tokyo in 1966; "Paperback Writer", featuring only vocals; and out-takes of "Think for Yourself" and "Love You To".

 

Like its predecessor, Anthology 2 sold well. In the United States, it debuted at number one, selling 442,000 copies its first week. The album spent two more weeks on the top 10, at number four then number eight, remaining on the Billboard 200 for 22 consecutive weeks and then re-entering the charts twice, marking a number 96 reach during the Christmas season of 1996. In the United Kingdom, the success was similar. The first Anthology album had debuted at number two when it was released in November 1995, but its successor reached number one, where it remained for one week.

 

Anthology 2 Track List: 

 

Disc 1:  

 

1. Real Love

2. Yes It Is (takes 2 & 14

3. I'm Down (Take 1)

4. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away (Takes 1, 2, & 5 mono)

5. If You've Got Trouble

6. That Means A Lot

7. Yesterday (Take 1)

8. It's Only Love (Takes 3 & 2 mono)

9. I Feel Fine (live on Blackpool Night Out mono)

10. Ticket To Ride (Live on Blackpool Night Out mono)

11. Yesterday (Live on Blackpool Night Out mono) 

12. Help? (Live on Blackpool Night Out mono)

13. Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby (Live At The Shea Stadium mono)

14. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Take 1) 

15. I'm Looking Through You (Take 1) 

16. 12-Bar Original (Take 2 edited) 

17. Tomorrow Never Knows (Mark 1/Take 1)

18. Got To Get You Into My Life

19. And Your Bird Can Sing (Take 2)

20. Taxman (Take 11)

21. Eleanor Rigby (Strings Only Take 14) 

22. I'm Only Sleeping (Rehearsal)

23. I'm Only Sleeping (Take 1)

24. Rock And Roll Music (Live In Tokyo Take 1 mono)

25. She's A Woman (Live In Tokyo mono) 

 

Disc 2: 

 

1. Strawberry Fields Forever (Demo sequence mono)

2. Strawberry Fields Forever (Take 1)

3. Strawberry Fields Forever (Take 7 and edit piece mono)

4. Penny Lane (remix)

5. A Day In The Life (Takes 1, 2, 6 & orchestra)

6. Good Morning Good Morning (Take 8)

7. Only A Northern Song (Takes 3 & 12)

8. Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! (Takes 1 and 2)

9. Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! (Take 7)

10. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (Takes 6, 7 & 8)

11. Within You Without You (Instrumental)

12. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) (Take 5 mono)

13. You Know My Name (Look Up The Number) (Extended stereo remix)

14. I Am The Walrus (Take 16)

15. The Fool On The Hill (Demo)

16. Your Mother Should Know (Take 27)

17. The Fool On The Hill (Take 4)

18. Hello, Goodbye (Take 16)

19. Lady Madonna (Takes 3 & 4)

20. Across The Universe (Take 2)

The List: Compilations & Reissues Of 2025

Now's the chance to check the best compilations and reissues of 2025, featuring remastered classics and especial collections to bring alive classic and timeless tunes, hidden tracks, and interesting rare stuff, hope you love our annual selection: 

 

1. Happy Mondays   "The Factory Singles"   (London Records)

 

Celebrating 40 Years of one of Britain’s most iconic and era-defining bands, The Factory Singles is the definitive tribute to a group that reshaped the sound of UK music. This fully remastered 2CD collection brings together their landmark singles from 1985–1992, capturing the raw energy, innovation, and fearless creativity that made them a cornerstone of the Factory Records and Madchester legacy. From underground club anthems to crossover hits, every track showcases their unique fusion of attitude, electronic experimentation, and dancefloor-ready grooves. These singles not only defined an era but also laid the foundations for the alternative dance and indie scenes that followed.

 

2. The Style Council   "Café Bleu Especial Edition Box Set"   (UMC Polydor)

 

When The Style Council's debut album Café Bleu was released in 1984, Weller and wing-man Mick Talbot unveiled a cosmopolitan blend of jazz, soul, and pop that felt effortlessly sophisticated and daringly fresh. Café Bleu was more than a debut—it was a statement of intent, redefining what British pop could sound like in a new decade. The Café Bleu Special Edition is a treasure trove for Style Council devotees and music lovers alike - an immersive journey into one of the most inventive eras of Paul Weller’s career. This lavish release unveils a wealth of previously unheard material, including early demos, alternate takes, and unreleased songs that showcase the band’s restless drive for experimentation and evolution.

 

3. NOW   "Yearbook '89"   (Now Twic)

 

NOW Music proudly presents 60 more essential singles from the magical year of Pop that was 1989. This final Yearbook for the decade we like to call ‘the Eighties’ starts with Queen's ‘I Want It All’ and ends with Band Aid II’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ (the ‘unofficial’ Band Aid single according to a revisionist Bob Geldof!). In between are 76 other tracks including hits from Simple Minds, Soul II Soul, Neneh Cherry, Fine Young Cannibals, Kylie, Jason, Holly Johnson, New Order, Bros, Transvision Vamp, Roachford (“there’s no fog!”), The Beautiful South, Living in a Box, Tears For Fears, R.E.M., Pet Shop Boys, Duran Duran, The Cure, Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians, Sam Brown, The Bangles, Simply Red and many more. 

 

4.  Bryan Ferry   "Bête Noire"   (BMG)

 

Bête Noire was the follow up to 1985’s Boys and Girls and was co-produced with Patrick Leonard. Johnny Marr was amongst the contributors to Bête Noire, whose singles were ‘The Right Stuff’, ‘Kiss and Tell’ and ‘Limbo’. Only ‘The Right Stuff’ troubled the UK top 40, peaking at No 37 For the 2025 reissue Bête Noire is released as a 2CD deluxe edition and on purple vinyl. The second disc of the 2CD set offers remixes and edits from the original singles. 

 

5. NOW That's What I Call An Era   "Such A Good Feeling 1980-1995"   (Now Twic)

 

NOW Music proudly presents the latest release in the Now That’s What I Call An Era series - Such A Good Feeling: 1988-1995 - a celebration of a truly transformative time in music, when dance culture reshaped the mainstream, soundtracked a generation, and lit up the charts across the UK and beyond. This 4CD dive into the golden years of house, rave, and club anthems features 82 essential tracks spanning the late '80s to the mid '90s, bringing together the biggest hits and most iconic names that defined the era. 82 tracks across four discs - An unforgettable journey through the sounds that defined an era - NOW That’s What I Call An Era - Such A Good Feeling: 1988-1995 — the definitive celebration of a golden age of dance music.

 

6. Danny Wilson   "Complete Danny Wilson 5CD Box Set"   (Cherry Red) 

 

Complete Danny Wilson' is a 5CD boxset bringing together the group's two albums as well as all their b-sides, mixes and a complete live show (some of which has never been heard before). The band have been involved in all aspects of the release and have been interviewed extensively for the booklet providing an insight into their history.

 

7. James   "Nothing But Love: The Definitive Best Of"   (UMC-Mercury)

 

Nothing But Love – The Definitive Best Of is a comprehensive, career spanning highlights collection from James. The release documents the band’s journey through their singles as well as fan favourites and selections made by the band. The 3CD takes fans on a chronological journey from the beginning of the band’s releases up until the present day. The deluxe set features two new tracks, "Wake Up Superman" and  "Hallelujah Anyhow". Additional highlights include "Laid", "Sit Down",  "She's A Star" and "Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)" as well as tracks from James’ most recent number 1 album, Yummy. The 3CD includes an accompanying booklet which contains exclusive track commentary from members of James.

 

8. Hot Chip   "Joy In Repetition"   (Domino)

 

Joy In Repetition is the first ever anthology of some of the best of Hot Chip. It covers the band’s work, from their landmark EMI/DFA debut, The Warning, and traces their artistic evolution up to the present day. Packed with stone-cold bangers from across their career: "Ready For The Floor," "I Feel Better," and "Flutes," to name a few. Alongside, new track, "Devotion", which sees the band in full voice, merging pop hooks with their unique dancefloor mentality. Joy In Repetition highlights the consistency of their stellar career so far and cements their status as one of the most important British groups in the last two decades. To complement this, the album comes housed in a cover designed by legendary British pop artist Sir Peter Blake, mastermind behind the iconic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band artwork. 

 

9. Simply Red   "Recollections Box Set"   (Music On Vinyl)

 

Simply Red celebrate four decades of music with 'Recollections' - 40 glorious, newly recorded versions of their classic songs. Produced with long-time collaborator Andy Wright, the collection delivers beautiful yet faithful takes on timeless favourites including "Money's Too Tight To Mention," "Holding Back The Years," "Stars," "Fairground" and many more. Mick Hucknall explains: "As a way of celebrating 40 years of Simply Red, we thought it apt to release these takes. Andy Wright set about capturing the atmosphere and sonics of the originals and has done a magnificent job. This has enabled us to come full circle and celebrate our 40 years with you."

 

10. Pet Shop Boys   "Disco 5"   (Polygram UK)

 

Disco 5 is the latest instalment of Pet Shop Boys’ continuing ‘Disco’ album series, which started in 1986. The 12-track collection features ten Pet Shop Boys’ recent remixes of songs by artists including Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Primal Scream, Paul Weller, Tina Turner, Claptone, Wolfgang Tillmans and more, as well as a remix of their own track ‘Dreamland’ featuring Olly Alexander.