Review
In 1988 Ariola decided to complement their annual Hits series with an offshoot called Neue Hits. This was released at the beginning of each year and featured tracks that had charted in recent months. The first volume received a CD release but it was just a one disc version with 16 tracks. A number of which had already been included on UK compilations such as The Hits Album 7 and Now That’s What I Call Music 10.
The first four tunes are familiar territory. We start with two massive #1s from the autumn of 1987; T’Pau’s immense re-working of China In Your Hand and The Bee Gees’ triumphant You Win Again. And Johnny Hates Jazz pile on the melancholy with Turn Back The Clock. Then there’s Eric B. & Rakim’s super Paid In Full (Mini Madness) remixed by Coldcut. First seen on the Club 19 video screen. The natural method of relaxation after a frantic tennis match – underage boozing Derica-style. West Coast Cooler on the rocks.
Whitney Houston’s So Emotional packs a soulful wallop, a powerful yet smooth belter while Wax’s American English is pure gold, man. Sandra and Blue System treat us to some relaxing post-dinner music with the gentle Stop For A Minute and smoothly-strummed Sorry Little Sarah. Vanessa Paradis’ belies her tender years with the haunting late night mystery of Joe Le Taxi. Fast forward to 1994 and Only You starring Robert Downey Jr. A pleasant romantic comedy with Eros Ramazzotti’s Senza Perderci Di Vista’s making a memorable appearance. Elsewhere Chris Norman rocks out with Sarah (You Take My Breath Away).
I Promise You (Get Ready) was the third single from Samantha Fox’s eponymous second LP. A real synth groover with a lovely vocal. It reached a criminally low #58 in the UK charts but fared better in Germany. Some quality Euro disco next: Modern Talking’s gloomy and futuristic In 100 Years coupled with the desperation of Bad Boys Blue’s Don’t Walk Away Suzanne. “You’re my obsession”.
Friends forever – it can only be Dominoe’s driving Here I Am. Last but certainly not least is the all-natural Sabrina and a new version of the sultry Hot Girl. Very appropriate.
Favourite tracks
Whitney Houston – So Emotional
Modern Talking – In 100 Years… (Part 1)
Lest we forget
Samantha Fox – I Promise You (Get Ready)
A Pop Fan's Dream 
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Have never heard of this compilation before. Out of interest do you have any idea whether there were additional tracks on the LP and cassette version or whether it was the same track listing across all 3 formats. Also do you have any idea how long Ariola produced these compilations for?
The only Ariola compilation I have is one called “Hit Disco” which came out in 1979. Are you familiar with that compilation at all and have you ever had the opportunity to listen to it?
Hi Martin
29 tracks on the vinyl – https://www.discogs.com/Various-Neue-Hits-88-Die-Starken-Zwei-Das-Internationale-Doppelalbum/release/706250
1986 and 1987 are also single disc affairs but worth getting.
1989 Neue Hits is a double and matches the vinyl
They and the companion Hits continued to 1996 – I bought them until 1992.
Hello again Paul
Many thanks for this really useful information. Made me want to go and track these compilations down.
Those West German compilations are great – search my categories for High Life. There are 16 CDs released between 1984 and 1990 which are invaluable for single mixes and tracks that were a bit off the radar in UK / Ireland but are buried memories.
Hit Disco ’79 – yes, West German release, have heard it. Might do 1970s compilations at some point in future.
Interesting to hear you have heard it too. Got the cassette about 15 months ago and subsequently transferred it to CD and then onto my Ipod.
Interesting selection of tracks although one or two seemingly had early fades.
If you ever do review this or any other 70s compilations I look forward to reading what you have to say.