You may be familiar with SPG Music, they are a Canadian record label that have put out two series of 80's New Wave, Alternative and Synth called 'Hardest Hits' (3 volumes) and 'Classic Alternatives' (5 volumes). For 80's music enthusiasts and collectors such as myself these collections are an absolute windfall since they are loaded with hard(sometimes nearly impossible!)-to-find artists and tracks, all in their extended versions! Since I live in T.O., I phoned their offices and was pleasantly surprised to find out that although no more volumes of 'Hardest Hits' are planned, a new volume of 'Classic Alternatives' is slated to be released in about a month and a half. It's going to be a 2-CD package with classic 80's and some newer 'retro' material.

Years back, I actually spoke with the president of SPG and at the time he had planned to include the Aussie mix of Blancmange's 'Don't Tell Me' on future releases. I hope this still holds because I'd love to get this on compact disc!

-- Juan Gil

> You may be familiar with SPG Music, they are a Canadian record label that
> have put out two series of 80's New Wave, Alternative and Synth called
> 'Hardest Hits' (3 volumes) and 'Classic Alternatives' (5 volumes). For
> 80's music enthusiasts and collectors such as myself these collections are
> an absolute windfall since they are loaded with hard(sometimes nearly
> impossible!)-to-find artists and tracks, all in their extended versions!
> Since I live in T.O., I phoned their offices and was pleasantly surprised
> to find out that although no more volumes of 'Hardest Hits' are planned, a
> new volume of 'Classic Alternatives' is slated to be released in about a
> month and a half. It's going to be a 2-CD package with classic 80's and
> some newer 'retro' material.

> Years back, I actually spoke with the president of SPG and at the time he
> had planned to include the Aussie mix of Blancmange's 'Don't Tell Me' on
> future releases. I hope this still holds because I'd love to get this on
> compact disc!

> -- Juan Gil

hi there fellow Torontoian...

i myself will be anxious to see what is on this album--since it seems that alot of the cd comps that are called 'Classic Alternatives' or 'Hard to find' or 'Rare' are mainly filled with tracks that are tons of other compilations with the exception of a few songs... for example Dexy's Midnight Runners''Come On Eileen' is on almost every comp cd i have seen--no matter if its called rock , alternative or new wave---- makes me wanna be sick...oh well...

by the way a great cd is called Hard to Find Classics Alternative 80's...

includes : trans-x living on video...barnes and barnes 'Fish Heads'.... not too bad of a cd...

cheers

> hi there fellow Torontoian...

> i myself will be anxious to see what is on this album--since it seems that
> alot of the cd comps that are called 'Classic Alternatives' or 'Hard to
> find' or 'Rare' are mainly filled with tracks that are tons of other
> compilations with the exception of a few songs... for example Dexy's
> Midnight Runners''Come On Eileen' is on almost every comp cd i have
> seen--no matter if its called rock , alternative or new wave---- makes me
> wanna be sick...oh well...

> by the way a great cd is called Hard to Find Classics Alternative 80's...

> includes : trans-x living on video...barnes and barnes 'Fish Heads'....
> not too bad of a cd...

In my never-ending quest to obtain all of my 12' singles on compact disc I have amassed quite a respectable collection of 80's compilations and believe me, I understand exactly what you are saying in regards to duplication. In fact, this is the main problem with compilations as it bogs down the market and indirectly keep the true gems from being released. However, as the owner of all three volumes of 'Classic Alternatives' and all five volumes of 'Hardest Hits', I can vouch for the superb selection of both artists and tracks on these collections; all full-length 12" versions. Here is a sampling of some of the great tracks that are included:

· Heartbeat (8:15) - Psychedelic Furs · Sinful (7:58) - Pete Wylie · A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing) (6:12) - Romeo Void · Imagination (5:27) - Belouis Some · In A Big Country (6:18) - Big Country · Nowhere Girl (6:32) - B-Movie · Situation (5:30) - Cetu Javu · Dance With Me (5:50)- Lords of the New Church · First, Last For Everything (4:39) - Endgames · Jet Town (3:40) - SSQ · Never, Never (5:51) - The Assembly

In fact, to my knowledge, the following selections are exclusive to these compilations:

· We Run (6:03) - Strange Advance · Talking To A Stranger (7:30) - Hunters & Collectors · The Waiting Game (6:15) - Scary Thieves · Story of Love (5:39) - Voice of America · Pleasure Boys (6:49) - Visage · Brilliant Mind (7:00) - Furniture (from the film 'Some Kind of Wonderful' - brilliant mix!) · The Magician (6:57) - Secession

If you want the full tracklistings for all the volumes check out http://www.spgmusic.com and for compilation tracklistings in general go to http://www.thegrid.net/mpaulsen/newwave.html; it's an invaluable resource. Needless to say, I can't wait!

Cheers