The legendary and iconic ZTT label have been particularly busy of late with 80s reissues that are of serious quality. We’ve had a stream of Art of Noise reissues (the stunning ‘Into Battle’ and ‘Who’s Afraid Of…’ – before Hollywood set in), Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s swinging swansong ‘Liverpool’, and a deluxe edition of Propaganda’s unassailable ‘A Secret Wish’, amongst many others. Although the less said about FGTH member Paul Rutherhord’s solo effort ‘Oh World’ probably the better.

And now there’s ‘The Art of 12” volume 2” – a wonderfully decadent celebration of the 12” single all grown up in the late 80s, complete with Don Johnson suit and brick-sized mobile phone. This packed out collection has considerably more diversity than might be expected. Paul McCartney’s engaging ‘Spies Like Us’ sits alongside Godley and Crème’s fragile ‘Cry’, Anne Pigalle's swirling ‘He Stranger’, OMD’s classic ‘Julia’s Song’, as well as a LOT of Frankie, Propaganda and Art of Noise (and even better for it). ZTT’s aesthetic couldn’t be more neatly demonstrated, with that familiar kind of sardonic opulence binding the collection together. With 12” remixes of the early eighties now plundered to death, it’s time for ZTT to take up the retro-reigns and move the movement on (and on and on).

Frankie’s stunning ‘keep the peace’ mix of ‘Two Tribes’ ends with voiceover artist Patrick Allen (he of the chilling ‘Protect and Survive’ public information films of the cold war) indicating that his is ‘the last voice you’ll ever hear’. Let’s hope not. In the meantime the fairlights and synclaviers make for truly wonderful company.

Erik Stein

http://www.ztt.com