A classy collection put together by the fine German label, Marina, which has a pretty far ranging inclusive vision of pop music – bossa nova to the Beach Boys to early 80s British pop tp Burt Bacharach. Tracks include "Some People try to F**k With You" by Teenage Fanclub, "Small Talk" by Harpers Bizarre, "Just Call Her Name" by Edwyn Collins, "Caroline No" by Nick De Caro, "Cry You Love Away" Adventures In Stereo, and "Marina" by Antonio Carlos Jobim. LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

A sweet second trip into the world of Nouvelle Vague – a strange place where post-punk tunes mix with bossa rhythms and French pop inspiration! Most of the tracks here are from the darker side of the pop spectrum in the early 80s – tunes that are well-remembered, but which were more underground numbers of the era, mostly recorded by British groups like Yazoo, The Buzzcocks, Bauhaus, and others. Enter Nouvelle Vague, who rework the tracks with lightly skipping rhythms that are far gentler than the originals – stripping out the colder electric modes and fuller production in favor of a bossa-inspired blend of acoustic instrumentation and lightly grooving production – all used as the backdrop for airily-produced vocals from singers who include Melanie Pain, Gerald Toto, Phoebe Tolmer, Marina, and Birdpaula. Titles include "The Killing Moon", "Ever Fallen In Love", "Heart Of Glass", "Shack Up", "Let Me Go", "Fade To Grey", "Bela Lugosi's Dead", "Dancing With Myself", and "Don't Go". (French, Rock) CD

One of the greatest soul groups from the UK in the 80s – a real bright spot in the years before Soul II Soul and the rise of acid jazz – and a set we'd rank right up there with Sade's best work of the time! Working Week have a very jazzy sound at their core – acoustic rhythms, and a strong commitment to jazz at the core – no surprise, given that two of the group's three members were previously involved with Weekend! The third member is the lovely Juliette Roberts – easily one of the best Brit soul singers of the time – and an artist who really helps push some of the more American influences in the group's music – while still giving the whole thing a bit of a London sparkle, too. The mix is sublime, and the whole album's great – full of classic cuts that include "Autumn Boy", "No Cure No Pay", "Sweet Nothing", "Who's Fooling Who", "Thought I'd Never See You Again", and "Venceremos". Amazing reissue – with a full bonus CD, and a whopping 15 extra tracks! Working Week were early proponents of really reworking tunes for singles, especially with jazzy elements – as you'll hear on cuts that include "Veceremos (jazz dance special 12")", "Afoche", "Storm Of Light (inst)", "Bottom End", "Stella Marina (main mix)", "Inner City Blues (urbane guerilla mix)", "Who's Fooling Who (dance version)", "Venceremos (7" bossa version)", "Stella Marina (full rap)", "Pepe's Samba (live)", and "Murphy's Law (live)". (Soul, Rock) CD

Features Hifiklub, The Missingmen, Rade Ensemble Of Toulon, The Secondmen, and Il Sogno del Marinaio. LP, Vinyl record album