Customer Reviews

Hit That Perfect Beat 2

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

if you don't have this two volume series. So many 12" versions on CD, some of them alternate mixes to the 12" versions you're familiar with. Track times:

1. safety dance (4:30)

2. gratitude (6:40)

3. room at the top (7:10)

4. west end girls (7:48)

5. world domination (5:41)

6. you spin me round (7:12)

7. weird science (6:27)

8. one thing leads to another (7:48)

9. hit that perfect beat (8:26)

I bought this and its predecessor in a store many years ago. It is probably my single favorite 80's collection because the remixes are (in almost every case) very true to the originals and honor them, instead of dancing on their grave like many so-called remix tribute albums do. At least Safety Dance and Gratitude are the definitive extended versions because they also appear on their artists' respective best-of / hits collections. Room at the Top is the only one that really doesn't sound like its original, but the style of the track is consistent with the others and I like it so much I have to forgive it. West End Girls is okay, at least true to the original, if unimaginative. The latter five tracks on the album are all great renditions of these songs and deserve to be considered the definitive versions. This collection is a true tribute to what made 80's music so fun. I would also recommend volume 1, although this one is better. I really wish they had produced a volume 3 (and 4, and 5...)

First of all, if you want to have "full length original version" as it was on original 12", I recommend not to buy this CD because compiler did very BAD treatment. They made fade out/in between every tracks, so you will hear next song's 3 or 4 seconds intro at the end of song! I am VERY VERY disappointed (I couldn't believe the good reviewer like DKW "Mr. Pac Dan" did not mention this important point in his review...).

On the song side, this compilation contains very rare mix that's hard to find on CDs. One of the true gem is Bronski Beat's "Hit That Perfect Beat (Instant Mix)"!! This song released on three 12"s in UK, 1st "Extended Version", 2nd "Instant Mix (remixed by Ian Levine)", 3rd "Metropolitan Version (Produced by Mike Thorne)". And most NRG-etic & loved Ian Levine Mix was not included on Bronski Beat's "Truthdare Doubledare" CD (includes 1st "Extended Version") or other compilations. So I rate 3 stars ONLY FOR SONGS.

Great 80's remix cd that features songs you know, and a few you probably don't. It all starts off with Men Without Hats "The Safety Dance"- don't let the wording of "extended club mix" fool you: it clocks in at 4:30 seconds so it's not THAT extended. It's a short song. Next up is Danny Elfman's "Gratitude" in an extended dance version- it's a catchy song that basically sounds like an Oingo Boingo song. Adam Ant's "Room At The Top" (extended mix) lacks some of the oomph of the original version, but it's great to have an Adam Ant remix on cd. Pet Shop Boy's "West End Girls" is probably the worst remix of this song I've ever heard- it's obviously an early version that was recorded in their Bobby 'O' days- before their first album "Please" became a worldwide smash. Do not buy this cd for this remix- there are better ones available elsewhere. (Although it IS necessary if you are a Pet Shop Boys completist!) The Belle Stars contribute "World Domination"- sounding very much like Bananarama (and not really sounding anything like their two other 80's hits "Sign Of The Times" or "Iko Iko" which makes sense since this version of The Belle Stars does not feature the main lead vocalist that sang those two songs!); Dead Or Alive's "You Spin' Me Round" is 7 minutes of 80's heaven; Oingo Boingo's remix of "Weird Science" will blow you away- this is a great rare cd find!; the special remix version of The Fixx's "One Thing Leads To Another" is a gem of a remix that I had never heard until I got this cd; and the cd ends with Bronksi Beat's 12-inch remix of "Hit That Perfect Beat" (which features their second lead vocalist Jon John, NOT Jimmy Somerville)." All in all, a solid 80's cd that is worth finding if you are an 80's music fan.

Another bizarre set of remixed tracks from Oglio Records. The most annoying track is "Room at the Top", which wasn't interesting when it was four minutes long, and isn't any better at seven. The Belle Stars' "World Domination" is an odd choice, but sounds pretty good, and the inclusion of two (?) tracks by Danny Elfman/Oingo Boingo is strange. That said, the msuic flows along nicely, and yes, the beat keeps it going. Early faves are "You Spin Me Round" and "Gratitude". The less attention you pay, the better it sounds.