Trevor Horn’s groundbreaking electro-pop label ZTT Records is commemorating a major milestone this fall with The Organization of Pop: Music From The First Thirty Years of ZTT Records, a new 2CD, 28-track compilation that collects tracks from Propaganda, Art of Noise, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The Buggles, 808 State and more.
The album, due out Oct. 15, “not only highlights the hits of the label, but the hidden gems and rarities that fans may have missed over the years,” according to the label.
The set also includes previously unreleased mixes of tracks by Art of Noise and late-’80s dance-rock outfits Nasty Rox Inc. and Das Psycho Rangers.
See full tracklist below:
Tracklist: The Organization of Pop: Music From The First Thirty Years of ZTT Records
Disc 1: The Organisation of Pop (the Action Series, from ZTT)
1. Grace Jones, “Slave To The Rhythm”
2. Seal, “Kiss From A Rose”
3. Frankie Goes To Hollywood. “Relax” (New York Mix)
4. 808 State, “Pacific” (Justin Strauss 0101 Mix)
5. Art of Noise. “Beat Box”
6. Propaganda. “Dr. Mabuse (Abuse)”
7. Tom Jones. “If Only I Knew” (Cold Stop Version)
8. MC Tunes vs 808 State, “Dance Yourself To Death” (Dust Brothers Radio Edit)
9. Propaganda. “Sorry For Laughing” (Unapologetic 12” Mix)
10. 808 State. “Cubik” (Pan American Excursion)
11. Frankie Goes To Hollywood. “Two Tribes”
12. Shane MacGowan and Sinead O’Connor. “Haunted”
13. The Frames. “Star Star”
14. Art of Noise. “Moments In Love” (Beaten)
Disc 2: The Disorganisation of Pop (the Incidental Series, from Zang Tuum Tumb)
1. The Buggles, “We Can Fly From Here (Part One)”
2. The Frames, “Saw It To Me Now”
3. Shame MacGowan and Maire Brennan, “You’ve The One”
4. The Frames, “Seven Day Mile”
5. Lee Griffiths, “Sweet Baby James”
6. Das Psycho Rangers, “Homage to the Blessed” *
7. Art of Noise featuring Rakim, “Metaforce” *
8. Nasty Rox Inc., “Escape From New York” (12” Mix) *
9. ACT, “Snobbery & Decay” (That’s Entertainment Mix)
10. The Buggles, “I Am A Camera” (12” Mix)
11. Frankie Goes To Hollywood, “Welcome To The Pleasuredome” (Fruitness Mix)
12. Lisa Stansfield, “The Moment”
13. The Buggles, “We Can Fly From Here (Part Two)”
14. Andrew Poppy, “Kink Konk Adagio”
* Previously unreleased mixes
Needs more Nasty Rox, and less Frankie. Kind of tired of Frankie, no matter which mix of the same old songs.
It should have something from the first Seal album, which is the most ZTT-ish of them all.
His first album is great IMO.
Yes, Seal first album is outstanding. In the future probably will see deluxe editions of Seal first and second album.
Agreed, Marko. And Deluxe Editions of the first two albums with bonus DVD and 5.1 surround sound were released in ’05. I got the debut, but was disappointed that it was pretty skimpy with the extras, considering all the stuff that had been released on the maxi-singles. And the CD itself hadn’t been remastered, which was another bummer. Maybe we’ll get a better 25th Anniversary package in a couple of years.
Weird that “Kiss from a Rose” is on this comp, especially with it surrounded by so many dance mixes. Something from the first album would have been a way better match. And too bad there wasn’t a “Future Love Paradise” (808 State 12″ Mix) out there–now that would be KILLER! (And then there’s “Killer,” of course…!)
AndyP I couldn’t agree more than with all you say here. One thing that is triggering my response though is the melancholy you had toward a lack of remastering. Not two days ago did I post on FB a rant against remastering and why I’m little interested in purchasing items from iTunes due to 85% of their catalogue being remastered albums. I want the album I fell in love with, foibles and all. Not some 2013 sound engineer’s interpretation of a song a ‘should’ have fell in love with.
My $0.02.
PB
Hey, Patrick B (aka PatrickB?). No, I hear you. I want that original album that I fell in love one, too, AND if there’s a new remastered version that makes it sound, obviously, even better, chances are I’ll get that as well. I rarely go the iTunes route, preferring CDs and vinyl instead–though space is obviously a concern! Sure there are marketing ploys, the loudness wars, etc., but none of us have to buy the new version of whatever, of course. Seal’s first album is an amazing listening experience (thank you, Mr. Horn!), and if a remastered version makes it sound even warmer with more detail and more oomph, I’m all over it, man!
But, again, I know what you mean about original albums and original listens versus something new and “improved.” But I’m also after the most rewarding listening experience, be it old or new. R.E.M.’s music is a great example of this. I’m not going to go digging for their old cassettes in my garage, but if I want to play, say, “Murmur” or “Fables,” I’m reaching for the original CDs instead of the remasters (which I also own), because I want to hear the murk and other strange charms I know and love, not louder glossier versions of these. But with something like “Pageant” or “Green,” I’m going with the remasters, because they pack some major sonic punch that the tinny-sounding originals don’t. So, again, am glad to have choices.
Probably my biggest peeve with remasters (besides some of the loudness issues) is when folks like Rhino start chopping off parts of the original songs, as they did with so many of the ‘Mats reissues. Proof that sometimes you just shouldn’t mess with the originals.
p.s. So you’re a big fan of Seal’s first album? Probably in a Desert Island Top 20 for me. Love the first three songs off the second album, too, and most all of “Human Being” (very underrated!). But diminishing returns after that, losing Trevor and the plot along the way… Still, what a debut!!!
Flogging a dead horse
Said on a site about ’80s music. Wouldn’t anything here be flogging a dead horse?
Endless compilations of the same Frankie tracks ….BORING
Love the cover. Does anyone know if its Peter Saville’s work?
Beautiful cover. Is it Peter Saville’s work?