Customer Reviews

The Platinum Collection

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This is by far the best compilation of Sandra that covers her career from her first International hit "(I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena" in 1985 up to her latest release in 2009. For the casual fans who own select Sandra material, this is the best single release they could get their hands on. And for the long-time followers like myself, it is a dream come true to hear many of the Extended Versions on CD for the first time, as well as having several of the Single Versions/Radio Edits made available in a single release.

Discs 1 & 2 include all of the Singles in their original form or slightly remixed, and some favorite albums tracks as well. Disc 3 includes several Extended Versions/Remixes and a CD-Rom portion that connects to a link where one can download 5 bonus tracks in MP3 format, 5 HQ photos and biography (as found in the CD booklet).

A total of 23 exclusive tracks are included in this release: 12 previously unreleased on CD, 10 that were previously available on CD-Single format only (or other Single format; always hard to come by, and now out-of-print), and 1 that was previously available for promotional use only. That's quite a bonus for any artist's compilation release.

All of the tracks have been Re-mastered and they sound great. Despite some bad reviews on this page, none of the tracks sound like they were taken directly from vinyl records.

This is the complete track listing:

Disc 1 - 1985-1992

01. (I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena (Single Version) 3:57

02. In the Heat of the Night (Single Version) 4:00 (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)

03. Little Girl 3:08

04. Sisters and Brothers 3:21

05. Innocent Love (Single version) 3:48 (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)

06. Hi! Hi! Hi! (Single version) 3:30 (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)

07. Loreen 4:11

08. Midnight Man 3:02

09. Everlasting Love 3:41

10. Stop for a Minute (Single Version) 3:49 (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)

11. Heaven Can Wait 4:04

12. Secret Land (Single Version) 4:01

13. Celebrate Your Life 3:05

14. We'll Be Together ('89 Remix) 3:46

15. Around My Heart (Single Version) 3:08

16. Hiroshima (Single Version) 4:14

17. (Life May Be) A Big Insanity 4:28

18. One More Night (Single Version) 3:40

19. Lovelight in Your Eyes 5:26

20. Johnny Wanna Live (Radio Edit) 3:47

Disc 2 - 1992-2009

01. Don't Be Aggressive (Radio Edit) 4:22

02. I Need Love (Radio Edit) 3:18

03. Steady Me 3:54

04. Mirrored in Your Eyes 3:23

05. Maria Magdalena '93 4:02 (PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ON CD-SINGLE ONLY)

06. Nights in White Satin (Radio Edit) 3:32

07. Won't Run Away (Radio Edit) 4:11 (PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ON CD-SINGLE ONLY)

08. Secret Land '99 (Ultra Violet Radio Edit) 3:40 (PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ON CD-SINGLE ONLY)

09. Forever 3:44

10. Such a Shame 4:16

11. Forgive Me (Radio Edit) 3:57 (PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ON PROMOTIONAL CD-SINGLE ONLY)

12. I Close My Eyes 4:01

13. Secrets of Love (Duet with DJ BoBo) 3:17

14. The Way I Am 3:28

15. What Is It About Me (Radio Edit) 3:09

16. All You Zombies 4:59

17. In a Heartbeat 3:36

18. The Night Is Still Young (featuring Thomas Anders) 3:19

19. What If 2:48

20. Tête à Tête 3:44

Disc 3 - The Best 12" Versions

01. (I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena (Extended Version) 7:07 (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)

02. In the Heat of the Night (Extended Version) 7:20 (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)

03. Little Girl (Extended Version) 5:17 (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)

04. Innocent Love (Extended Version) 6:42 (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)

05. Hi! Hi! Hi! (Extended Version) 6:09 (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)

06. Midnight Man (Extended Version) 5:25 (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)

07. Everlasting Love (Extended Version) 7:16 (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)

08. Stop for a Minute (Extended Version) 6:17 (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)

09. Heaven Can Wait (Extended Version) 7:36 (PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ON CD-SINGLE ONLY)

10. Secret Land (Reverse Mix) 6:30 (PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ON CD-SINGLE ONLY)

11. Everlasting Love (PWL 12" Remix) 7:41 (PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ON CD-SINGLE ONLY)

bonus tracks in MP3 format:

- We'll Be Together (Extended Version) 6:37 (PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ON CD-SINGLE ONLY)

- Hiroshima (Extended Version) 6:44

- Don't Be Aggressive (The Midnight Hour Mix) 6:22 (PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ON CD-SINGLE ONLY)

- Nights In White Satin (Club Mix) 6:07 (PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ON CD-SINGLE ONLY)

- Secret Land '99 (Ultra Violet Club Mix) 5:34 (PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ON CD-SINGLE ONLY)

This review is for the Sandra "The Platinum Collection".

I remember the first time I heard Maria Magdalena and In The Heat Of The Night(that was 1986...I feel so dated...) Anyways, I was enthralled! The tracks are awesome, even the 12" versions on disc 03, despite being off the vinyl cuts as I understan them.

I don't regret buying this collection, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking to purchase the ultimate set of songs from Sandra that spans close to a quarter of a century (for those of you with limited math skills that's about 25 years). As the liner note state (and these are quite well done), very few acts/artists in Europe have survived as long as Sandra (Pet Shop Boys, Madonna, to name but a very few). And the insane price! Can't be beat!

Unlike many other hit collections or best of's, this Platinum Collection is really exhaustive, and features ALL of Sandra's hits and even some album tracks. Moreover, Sandra's music sounds even more fresh thanks to improved sound quality, and the 12inch versions offer a nice extra.

A must have for the Sandrafan, strongly recommended to anyone who loves eighties music and German disco/pop in particular.

This is a priceless compilation of Sanra Cretu's best hits and I am so impressed.

There are here some of the selections such as Hiroshima, which were right out of the timeframe Arabesque was popular. There are also later hits like Heaven Can Wait from the Secret Land cd which was released later on.

Nice instrumentals, background and exquisite vocal performances including backup, I really enjoy this and hope my opinion here helps with the decision making process. No bad language just straight up quality music performing. Recommend...

Aryan Somers

Just blown away buy this 3cd box set!!

Will be many summer partys this year out in the sun with this box set cranking :) hope the neibours next door will understand Sandras unique voice!! haha

Just great,and if you dont have Sandras dvd its also a must!! Cheers 10\10 Sandra Mwha for all the memorys as they will Forevaaaaaaaaaaaa

Sandra's new 2009 "The Platinum Collection" is intended to be a twin release to her ex-husband Michael Cretu's project Enigma's "The Platinum Collection", also on Virgin/EMI, 2009, but in reality, this release stands alone.

This collection is beyond words, it's priceless!!! It's, like, REALLY well-done (and insanely priced cheap), all the more fitting for the greatest (and most beautiful-looking) female artist to never have made it in the US or UK...and it has rare versions that were never on CD before, like the single version of "In The Heat Of The Night", which was in the video...if you have her 1992 single-disc comp "18 Greatest Hits", either sell it or throw it away, because this 3CD marvel renders it utterly obsolete, instantly. Yes, I also listened to it on good headphones, and unlike many listeners, I prefer my CDs loud and clear...unlike the original 1985 CD of "The Long Play", which was so low I need to turn the volume up each time I listen. I'm happy this collection is up-to-date, and that it includes not only ALL of the singles, but also fave album tracks like "Lovelight In Your Eyes" and "Celebrate Your Life". Yes, the 12" versions were taken from vinyl sources, except for the PWL 12" of "Everlasting Love", but that's probably because the masters on those mixes were long lost, or ruined and never recovered...that happens...but at least the 12" tracks don't sound horrible to me. As for the package job, I think it's utterly beautiful...with uses of grey and clear transparency, the slipcase, clear clamshell case (similar to Virgin/EMI UK's amazing 3CD set on Kirsty MacColl "From Croydon To Cuba"), and great photos...and the liner notes!!!! I was expecting just simple track information, but I got a greatly RESEARCHED story (in English!!) with lots of detail and even interview segments with Sandra and her ex, Michael Cretu!!! The way it looks online, it looks cheap and basic but a great tracklisting...you hold it in your hands, it's beautiful and priceless...flawless really...when it arrived and I opened up the package, I almost fell over!!!

On top of that, on Disc 3 is an enhanced portion with 5 more download 12" versions not on the CDs, and a photogallery...all for the 15 bucks I paid...whatta deal, and I would have gladly paid $100 for this thing!!!

I love this package and I love Sandra, both solo and Arabesque...now she's divorced, maybe I have a chance!!! She's 47, I'm 42, I'm game!!!

WOW .... this cds is great . All her greatest hits is all here ... Plus bonus cd 12 verions early 80's .i love it and wait for long time .( In the heat of the night , Maria Madagmalina , Little girl , innocent love , HI,hi,hi , Midnight man , Stop for a munites . Everlasting love . Heaven can't wait . Secret Land . WOW. all 12 versions hard to find on the cds. All out of print ). thanks Sandra . I don't have to pay hight price for the ebay

+ missing track Loreen 12'long version

What can be better than all Sandra's hits and rare songs in one collection? It's a heaven for Sandra fans and must have cd. From Maria Magdalena to Night Is Still Young and everything in between! I just know I will love and cherish this forever and always!!!!

It is a real miracle for me and all other fans all over the world to see the release of this 3 CD box-set by the wonderful German singer Sandra. She has been one of the biggest popstars of the 80s and became better and better, even during the 90s. Until 2002, her songs had been produced by her (ex-)husband Michael Cretu (mastermind of the world-famous Enigma project) and there are so many beautiful hits, such as "Maria Magdalena", "In The Heat Of The Night", "Heaven Can Wait", "Don't Be Aggressive" or "Steady Me", just to mention only a few.

Why it is a miracle to have now this box-set? Well, during so many years there was no complete Sandra compilation on the market. Don't mention the many Russian and Polish bootlegs. Her many fans in any corner of this planet had to wait for a good official "Best of" and have not been so full of hope anymore that the record company would ever realise it. First of all there was the big desire to get finally all the Extended Versions of her early hits in digital sound quality. You could buy such stuff of so many famous 80s acts, but never of Sandra. Now the dream has come true. Better late than never. And I am so incredibly happy with this box-set. All the tracks are digitally remastered, and the difference between the old CD stuff and this new compilation referring to the sound quality is gigantic. For the very first time you can hear that still there has played a bassist in the studio. And there is now so much brilliancy and transparency in the music which have been missing on former releases.

Here you have a complete compilation of each and every Sandra hit, all the singles, the best 12 Inch versions and some rarities. An all around perfect product. Many thanks to Sandra and her record company for this miracle!

What is up with the cheesy remastering job and mediocre sound on this Sandra box? Everyone is busy talking about how awesome this release is, but has anyone really sat down and listened on good head-phones? Sure, the songs are louder with more treble and bass... but with tinny sound, distortion and fluctuating levels from song to song. The most shocking part, however, is the use of VINYL sources for the extended Maria Magdalena, complete with pops and muted sound. My mouth was hanging open... surely an artist of Sandra's stature deserved better than this lazy job. Let's not even talk about the ugly package design and photos used...