VA - Now 12” 80s: 1982 Part Two (2024)

The NOW 12” 80s series is back with the latest addition – NOW 12” 80s: 1982 – Part 2 – to be released on April 12th.

1982 was a year of rapid change, both culturally and on the charts, and with too many essential 12”’s to all be included on one volume, Part 2 features a further 49 extended, full-length, or remixed versions across four CDs from some of the most innovative and popular artists of the era. This was the year when 12" singles became an essential part of a singles’ release, creating a unique experience for fans across all genres from Disco, through New Wave, New Romantic, and to the fresh synth-driven Pop of 1982.

Disc 1 begins with the unforgettable classic ‘Young Guns (Go for It!)’ from Wham!, followed by the ‘Night Version’ of ‘Hungry Like The Wolf’ from Duran Duran’s smash album ‘Rio’. Essential 12” versions from Spandau Ballet and Haircut 100 come next, before brilliant and enhancing 12” mixes of ‘Torch’ from Soft Cell, ‘Night Train’ from Visage and Japan’s ‘European Son’, plus unmissable tracks from Talk Talk, Simple Minds and Heaven 17 bring this first disc to a close.

CD2 begins with timeless Pop from Madness with ‘Our House’, and ‘The Telephone Always Rings’ from Fun Boy Three, before British Pop-Reggae from UB40 with ‘So Here I Am’ and Musical Youth with ‘Youth Of Today’. Funk favourites from Junior and Shakatak feature next, plus innovative style fusions from Monsoon and David Christie…and as if to emphasise how stylistically diverse the charts of 1982 were, Disc 2 closes with the #1 Euro Disco 12” of ‘Seven Tears’ from the Goombay Dance Band.

CD3 kicks off with the 80s Disco of ‘Get Down On It’ from Kool & The Gang, leading to floor-fillers from Shalamar with ‘There It Is’ and ‘Love Come Down’ from Evelyn "Champagne" King. The Associates and Thomas Dolby head up a run of lesser-compiled Synth-Pop hits from Classix Nouveaux, Blue Zoo, The Mood, Blancmange and Visage… with Simple Minds’ second appearance ‘Glittering Prize’ to conclude.

The final CD is all about 1982’s Pop Perfection and leads with the Jazz Mix of ‘Poison Arrow’ from ABC, and fan favourites from Haircut 100 and Culture Club with ‘Nobody's Fool’ and ‘White Boy’. 12” gems from Bananarama with Fun Boy Three, Bow Wow Wow and Altered Images follow next. 1982 would see ‘Maneater’ become a global smash for Daryl Hall & John Oates – here as it’s 12” remix, and see the release of ‘War Child’ as the last new Blondie single for 17 years. China Crisis debut ‘African And White’ is included in a closing run that features second tracks on this collection from Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, and Soft Cell who get the final word with the aptly titled ‘Say Hello Wave Goodbye’ in its sumptuous 12” version.

NOW 12” 80s: 1982 – Part 2 – A further extended celebration of the magic of 1982! …and coming soon, the first part of one of Pop’s greatest ever years – as our journey through the decades’ essential 12” singles reaches… 1983!