Aztec Camera - Backwards And Forwards (The WEA Recordings 1984-1995) (2021)

Deluxe nine CD box set compiling five albums, singles, b-sides, live recordings, remixes, compilation appearances and vinyl-only rarities. 112 tracks spanning the band's 11-year spell with WEA, including many never before issued on CD. Featuring the hits 'Somewhere In My Heart', 'Good Morning Britain', 'Deep & Wide & Tall', 'All I Need Is Everything', and more, alongside live renditions of the band's pre-WEA highlights. Including collaborations with Joe Strummer, Edwyn Collins, Ryuichi Sakamoto (Yellow Magic Orchestra) and Mark Knopfler. Led by frontman and master songwriter Roddy Frame, Aztec Camera successfully turned indie-darling status into mainstream success when they signed with WEA in 1984. Taking inspiration from his own record collection, Frame set about recording a series of style-hopping albums, collaborating with his personal wish list of musical inspirations and producing a remarkable run of emotive, honest songs to rival any of his contemporaries. Admired and adored in equal measure, Roddy remains one of Scotland's most gifted musical treasures. 'Backwards And Forwards' showcases the five albums, multiple hit singles and contemporary remixes, live recordings and alternative versions accumulated by Aztec Camera during that period, a time which saw the band tour the world and achieve success wherever songwriting class is recognized and appreciated. Bursting with expertly crafted songs and melodies, and always produced with an accessible sheen, this is the sound of a musical magpie taking every opportunity offered to him, at a time when the music business encouraged genius and applauded eclecticism.