Review
Ariola’s round-up of 1987’s finest moments is a neat 16 track disc that’s almost a companion piece to the label’s Super Power – Maximal release that was also targeted towards the winter market.
There’s some massive tunes here; Rick Astley, Whitney Houston, John Farnham and probably best of all – U2 and With Or Without You. Build up and fade out. A most intimate creation. Towering over them are the boys from Basildon; Depeche Mode’s epic stadium hand-waver Never Let Me Down Again.
Catching the Italo wave is Den Harrow with the soaring Don’t Break My Heart. A song of two halves with a gorgeous two minute intro of emotion-laden memory music before the synths kick in. Almost as good is Come Back And Stay from Bad Boys Blue while fans of driving melodies will savour Living In A Box’s eponymous smash, Samantha Fox’s Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now and Tina Charles’ I Love To Love.
1987 was the year when Johnny Hates Jazz strode into our lives. Shattered Dreams is a magnificent piece of well-crafted adult pop that’s full of regret – “So much for your promises”. Flawless and beautifully-arranged, this has aged magnificently. The second half of the disc also has some memorable tracks from Billy Idol [brooding Sweet Sixteen], T’Pau’s fantastic debut Heart And Soul [the 12″ mix rules though] and a fun one-two kiss-off from Sabrina and C.C. Catch. Soul survivors indeed.
Favourite tracks
Den Harrow – Don’t Break My Heart
Depeche Mode – Never Let Me Down Again
Lest we forget
Johnny Hates Jazz – Shattered Dreams
A Pop Fan's Dream 