Contrast Brilliance: Sessions & Singles 1

Limited blue vinyl LP pressing including poster. Recorded between 1979 and 1981 and originally released in 1983 this hugely rewarding record acted as a roundup of the group's career to date and was of immeasurable value to fans. It's aged well, too. Comprising of a and B sides from their Rough Trade released singles plus extracts from sessions for Radio 1, Capital Radio and EMI Records, this LP contains unique versions of such classic tracks as 'The Jet Set Junta' and 'He's Frank (Slight Return)'. Oddities, and jocular moments run through the album, including John Peel introducing 'Fat Fun' and thinking aloud that those Monochrome boys might be having a pop at him. The fact that it includes a wish list of the band's best songs to this point in their career is another reason to recommend it. This 1983 compilation is a front-to-back joy, fast, restless and perfectly sequenced. It plays like a cohesive album.