High Life – Himmlische Top Hits (Polystar, 1986)

Review
The next High Life compilation for 1986 saw Polystar regress back to a double vinyl edition with a truncated single CD release. So High Life – Bärenstark! was a false dawn. There’s no room for N&M (The Lady Rappers) – School Rap, Respect – (She’s So) Mystical, Ricky – Bang Bang Bang, Slizzy Bob – Do You Want To Be My Girl, Lake – In The Midnight, Fancy – Lady Of Ice, Mark Jefferis – Born To Be Alive.

We’re deep in Now That’s What I Call Music 8 territory with the opening three songs. Don’t Leave This Way is a impeccable Harold Melvin cover while the brooding (Forever) Live And Die remains one of O.M.D.’s most memorable mid-80s pitches. After Cutting Crew’s heavily-aired (I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight we get Jana Pope’s Don’t You Hear Me Screaming. This is a real curio; an atmospheric rocker with a husky vocal. It’s followed by Kissing The Pink’s pleasant and harmonious Never Too Late To Love You.

Control: Janet’s ultra-magnificent When I Think Of You. Amazing urban street groove with nifty breaks and impeccable Jam and Lewis production. Unsurpassed even today. There’s two more from Now 8: Run DMC and Aerosmith raise hell and burn up the dancefloor with Walk This Way; Cameo bust some serious moves on Word Up. Then Viktor Lazlo goes all Matt Bianco on the glamorous light groove of Slow Motion before Ian Cussick’s melancholy Who Dares Win. Meanwhile Kiss The Dirt (Falling Down The Mountain) became my first exposure to INXS: a charming slice of poetic rock.

Elton John regards Heartache All Over The World as one of his worst. He’s not far off. The dip in quality continues on Gianna Nannini’s turgid Belle E Impossible and Chris De Burgh’s tepid Lady In Red. Just as you’re thinking things over, here comes a soul saver: Timex Social Club and the impossibly funky Rumors. The remix courtesy of Shep Pettibone will knock you to your knees. Just step sideways for Trio Rio’s stunning ballad I’m Still In Love With You. Signing off are Animotion and the intense Strange Behaviour.

Favourite tracks
Janet Jackson – When I Think Of You

INXS – Kiss The Dirt (Falling Down The Mountain)

Lest we forget
Jana Pope – Don’t You Hear Me Screaming