As we’ve come to expect from Ace’s much-admired series of Jon Savage-curated two-CD collections, this new – and sadly final – volume is a multi-genre delight, taking the listener from house to baggy via post-punk, proto-grunge, minimalist avant-garde, the advent of sampling and more.
Among the many highlights are ‘Mystery Of Love’ by Mr Fingers, a track that turned Savage’s head during a trip to New York in early 1986; Hüsker Dü’s ‘Could You Be The One?’ from 1987, a perfect example of their melodic abilities; the action-packed ‘It Takes Two’ by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, which could be heard blasting out of boomboxes all over New York in spring 1988; Paul Oakenfold’s 1989 remix of Happy Mondays’ ‘Wrote For Luck’ into the early baggy classic ‘W.F.L.’; and the Holographic Goatee Mix of ‘What Is Love?’, the overlooked flip of Dee-Lite’s international hit ‘Groove Is In The Heart’ of 1990.
The compilation – and the series – ends with a contrast: David Morales’ seven-minute hardcore trance reconstruction of the Pet Shop Boys’ ‘So Hard’ followed by the reflective, sinuous guitar chime of the High’s ‘Take My Time’. They represent the twin poles of Jon Savage’s musical choices at a time when dance culture was still expanding exponentially and rock music had rediscovered its swagger and joie-de-vivre. Ten years in the making, the series began with a set devoted to 1965 and ends with 1990, two great periods for music.