A compilation of Factory Records' dancier output from the early to mid 1980s and a mixed bag it certainly is. There is no New Order on here though Bernard Sumner produced a lot of the songs. Like many compilations that collect together obscure and half-forgotton tracks it contains a mix of songs for which it is a crime the song lies in obscurity and some for which it a crime someone dug them up. I'll ignore the latter as i only review stuff i like (house rules) and there is a lot on this compilation i like... and some i love.
Take
Marcel King's "reach for love (NY remix)", a wonderful slab of 80s pop soul with spangly guitars and plenty of early electronic flourishes.
Section 25's tracks also score highly on here like "looking from a hilltop (megamix)" which starts proceedings off. A bit rough and ready perhaps but also all the post-punk attitude and spirit you need.
A Certain Ratio's songs are also well received here, i especially like the extended funk groove of "knife slits water". It goes on for almost ever and you wish it would go on for longer.
Quando Quango's "love tempo" is a beautiful slab of early 80s dance.
52nd Street's "express" is a jazzy funky classic.
So yes there are some great tracks on here, classics from when the Hacienda taught Northerners how to dance or whatever the film said. Some dross too but you can easily skip that...
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