CULTURE CLUB
The Remix Collection
This is actually a re-issue of an early 90s collection, although, thanks to the superb new packaging, you wouldn't have guessed it. The cover and booklet really are top notch for a budget release and definitely set the bar for future collections. Even if the track list hasn't changed, a lot of thought has gone in to making this one attractive package, right down to the logo sticker on the front of the jeweL-case. And we’ve been spared the over exposed 'Karma Chameleon'; possibly a first for a Culture Club compilation!
At the time it was originally released, I always thought that this was an interesting idea for a collection, taking as it does some alternate single mixes and a few, more obscure, Culture Club album tracks and B-sides.
'Move Away' kicks off proceedings in its 12' form, and very good it is too, with a lovely warm sound and some nice extended vocal parts. I've personally always felt this was the groups’ most underrated record, and was worthy of greater accolade than some of their bigger hits. It's particularly nice therefore to see it upfront and centre on this collection. 'God Thank You Woman', another great 12' version, is also worthy of note. It's probably their least successful single (alongside the absent 'Medal Song') but the production values certainly weren't to blame and the extended version has a number of interesting twists and turns. Both these songs were originally culled from the album 'From Luxury To Heartache' and the title track itself is also present in a longer version, although as a song it isn’t as strong.
A pair of US hits, surprisingly passed over in the UK, are 'Miss Me Blind' (featuring the late Jermaine Stewart on backing vocals) and 'I'll Tumble 4 Ya'. The first is segued as a megamix with 'It's A Miracle', a lightweight but pleasant top 5 UK smash, whilst the former is a very clever remix from the album version, and possibly surpasses the original version! A rare feat for such a great song. These rarities themselves give reason to consider marking this album on your list of future purchases.
Whilst the mid to late period of Culture Clubs 80’s output is well represented, early hits weren't quite given the same remix treatment, and so are present here in versions that perhaps are more for completists rather than the general public. 'Time (Clock Of The Heart)' is a nice instrumental piece but it's hardly a remix, and the dub mix of 'Do You Really Want To Hurt Me' isn’t particularly interesting.
'The War Song', never their greatest achievement, proves more listenable today in this incarnation thanks to the creative edits that the extended version has to offer, whilst the presence of a remix of George’s solo number one 'Everything I Own', makes a nice, if somewhat questionable addition, to a Culture Club collection. It suggests perhaps that bonafide Culture Club remixes weren’t actually so common at the time. This final point is further supported by the presence of some additional tracks in their original form, although they are all rarities to a point, such as 'Colour By Numbers' which surprisingly didn’t appear on the album of the same name.
Overall, a value for money compilation if you’re feeling a bit flush.
At the time it was originally released, I always thought that this was an interesting idea for a collection, taking as it does some alternate single mixes and a few, more obscure, Culture Club album tracks and B-sides.
'Move Away' kicks off proceedings in its 12' form, and very good it is too, with a lovely warm sound and some nice extended vocal parts. I've personally always felt this was the groups’ most underrated record, and was worthy of greater accolade than some of their bigger hits. It's particularly nice therefore to see it upfront and centre on this collection. 'God Thank You Woman', another great 12' version, is also worthy of note. It's probably their least successful single (alongside the absent 'Medal Song') but the production values certainly weren't to blame and the extended version has a number of interesting twists and turns. Both these songs were originally culled from the album 'From Luxury To Heartache' and the title track itself is also present in a longer version, although as a song it isn’t as strong.
A pair of US hits, surprisingly passed over in the UK, are 'Miss Me Blind' (featuring the late Jermaine Stewart on backing vocals) and 'I'll Tumble 4 Ya'. The first is segued as a megamix with 'It's A Miracle', a lightweight but pleasant top 5 UK smash, whilst the former is a very clever remix from the album version, and possibly surpasses the original version! A rare feat for such a great song. These rarities themselves give reason to consider marking this album on your list of future purchases.
Whilst the mid to late period of Culture Clubs 80’s output is well represented, early hits weren't quite given the same remix treatment, and so are present here in versions that perhaps are more for completists rather than the general public. 'Time (Clock Of The Heart)' is a nice instrumental piece but it's hardly a remix, and the dub mix of 'Do You Really Want To Hurt Me' isn’t particularly interesting.
'The War Song', never their greatest achievement, proves more listenable today in this incarnation thanks to the creative edits that the extended version has to offer, whilst the presence of a remix of George’s solo number one 'Everything I Own', makes a nice, if somewhat questionable addition, to a Culture Club collection. It suggests perhaps that bonafide Culture Club remixes weren’t actually so common at the time. This final point is further supported by the presence of some additional tracks in their original form, although they are all rarities to a point, such as 'Colour By Numbers' which surprisingly didn’t appear on the album of the same name.
Overall, a value for money compilation if you’re feeling a bit flush.
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