Ah, the 80s – not a musical decade to look back on with the most pride, I’d say, but this triple pack from Family questions such a rash assumption. It charts the rise of the mighty twelve-inch, with versions of tracks such as The Cure’s ‘Forest’ or Human League’s ‘Love Action’ that were considered too long for radio and turned up in the clubs. The selection here is superb – Tom Tom Club, Junior, Simple Minds, Pet Shop Boys, Talk Talk, Simply Red…. even Simply Red were good once, it seems! The nine-minute version of ‘Money’s Too Tight To Mention’ is one of the highlights of a compilation offering tremendous value and essential listening.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood