Now This Is Music 9 (EVA, 1988)

Review
November 1988: Now This Is Music 9 saw EVA return to a single CD release after four successive two part volumes. Poor sales figures were cited as the reason and this borne out by the relative scarcity of used copies on the marketplace. The double LP’s missing six: Melissa Etheridge – Bring Me Some Water, Crowded House – Better Be Home Soon, John Farnham – Age Of Reason, Belinda Carlisle – Circle In The Sand, LA Mix – Check This Out, Ellis, Beggs and Howard – Big Bubbles, No Troubles.

12 of the album’s 18 tracks would also feature on contemporary UK compilations such as Now That’s What I Call Music 12 [Will Downing, Maxi Priest, Jermaine Stewart], The Hits Album 8 [Fairground Attraction, Whitney Houston] and Now That’s What I Call Music 13 [Duran Duran, Milli Vanilli, Bobby McFerrin, Brother Beyond, Inner City, The Christians, Womack And Womack]. Although in the case of Teardrops, it’s the less funky LP version.

U2’s Desire is the first track, a powerful statement of intent from Rattle And Hum. Meanwhile Ziggy Marley’s Tomorrow People is a melodic groover, easily wiping the floor with Don’t Worry, Be Happy and Wild World. Taylor Dayne’s upfront Prove Your Love is an exquisite headspinner. Elsewhere UB40 pull off a late second half goal with the synth heavy skank Where Did I Go Wrong. Once were warriors: Londonbeat’s self-loathing gospel sound on Failing In Love Again. And Marc Almond’s hammering the synths on Tears Run Rings: one of my favorite songs of the season with its amazing trumpet solo.

Favourite tracks
Duran Duran – I Don’t Want Your Love

Brother Beyond – The Harder I Try

Lest we forget
UB40 – Where Did I Go Wrong