Calling all fans of eclectic rockers Sparks: two compilations are coming from Repertoire Records, both collecting their late '70s and early '80s single output in two different ways.
On August 13, the German label will release Shortcuts: The 7 Inch Mixes (1979-1984) and Extended: The 12 Inch Mixes (1979-1984), a pair of two-disc sets chronicling every side released by the group, in every size, on every label the band were signed to around the world.
The brothers Mael - Ron and Russell, from Pacific Palisades, California - already had a major round of chart success in the U.K. shortly after forming Sparks in 1972. The single "This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us" was a No. 2 hit in England in 1974, sending their breakthrough album Kimono My House to the Top 5 overseas. By the end of the '70s, the Maels found themselves back in the States and weary of the rock format they had pursued for years. Their switch to electronic-based music had a strong influence on the burgeoning New Wave scene at the time, thanks in no small part to the production work of Giorgio Moroder, whom the brothers had admired since the release of the Moroder-produced "I Feel Love" by Donna Summer.
Sparks' and Moroder's first collaboration, 1979's No. 1 in Heaven, yielded the band their last Top 40 singles in the U.K., "The Number One Song in Heaven" and the Top 10 "Beat the Clock." Follow-up album Terminal Jive (1980), produced by Moroder and Harold Faltermeyer, yielded a chart-topping smash in France, "When I'm with You." Sparks later worked with Queen producer Mack on Whomp That Sucker (1981) and Angst in My Pants (1982) and produced themselves on 1983's Sparks in Outer Space, which saw the band earn the first of several respectably-charting U.S. dance hits through the '80s and '90s: "Cool Places," which featured vocals from fan and former Sparks fanclub president Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go's.
Shortcuts features all international A-sides Sparks released during this period in their original single edits along with a generous helping of B-sides. Extended, by similar design, features every 12" A- or B-side released by Virgin, Atlantic, Ariola, Carrere and Underdog, along with a 1997 extended version of "The Number One Song in Heaven" featuring Jimmy Somerville. Amazon U.S. links will be provided when they go live; 'til then, hit the jump to check out the track lists!
Shortcuts: The 7 Inch Mixes (1979-1984) (Repertoire Records REP-5255, 2012)
Disc 1
- Tryouts for the Human Race
- The Number One Song in Heaven
- La Dolce Vita
- Beat the Clock (Short Version)
- Young Girls
- When I'm with You
- Rock 'n' Roll People in a Disco World
- Funny Face
- Tips for Teens
- I Predict
- Eaten by the Monster of Love (Promo Single)
- Modesty Plays (Short Version)
- Angst in My Pants
- Cool Places (feat. Jane Wiedlin)
- All You Ever Think About is Sex
Disc 2
- Please, Baby, Please
- With All My Might
- Pretending to Be Drunk
- My Other Voice
- Just Because You Love Me
- When I'm with You (Instrumental)
- Wacky Women
- Don't Shoot Me
- Moustache
- Nicotina
- Sports
- I Wish I Looked a Little Better (Promo Single)
- Rockin' Girls
- Beat the Clock (Canadian Single Version)
Disc 1, Track 1 was Virgin single A-side, VS-289 (U.K.), 1979
Disc 1, Track 2 was Virgin single A-side, VS-244 (U.K.), 1979
Disc 1, Track 3 and Disc 2, Track 4 were Oasis/Ariola single 100294 (DE), 1979
Disc 1, Track 4 was Virgin single A-side, VS-270 (U.K.), 1979
Disc 1, Track 5 was Virgin single A-side, VS-343 (U.K.), 1980
Disc 1, Track 6 was Virgin single A-side, VS-319 (U.K.), 1980
Disc 1, Track 7 was Underdog single B-side 49705 (FR), 1980
Disc 1, Track 8 and Disc 2, Track 8 were Oasis/Ariola single 102744 (DE), 1981
Disc 1, Track 9 and Disc 2, Track 7 were Oasis/Ariola single 103279 (DE), 1981
Disc 1, Track 10 and Disc 2, Track 9 were Atlantic single K-11740 (U.K.), 1982
Disc 1, Track 11 was Atlantic single A-side 4065 (U.S.), 1982
Disc 1, Tracks 12-13 were Carrere/Underdog single 13001, 1982
Disc 1, Track 14 and Disc 2, Track 11 were Oasis single 613809 (DE), 1983
Disc 1, Track 15 and Disc 2, Track 12 were Atlantic single 7-89797 (U.S.), 1983
Disc 2, Tracks 1 and 13 were Carrere single 13287 (FR), 1983
Disc 2, Track 2 was Underdog single A-side 13573 (FR), 1984
Disc 2, Track 3 was Atlantic single A-side 7-89616 (U.S.), 1984
Disc 2, Track 5 was Oasis/Ariola single B-side 101999 (DE), 1980
Disc 2, Track 6 was Oasis/Ariola single B-side 101230 (DE), 1980
Disc 2, Track 10 was Metronome single B-side 0030564 (DE), 1982
Disc 2, Track 14 was Elektra single EF-90157 (CA), 1979
Extended: The 12 Inch Mixes (Repertoire Records REP-5251, 2012)
Disc 1
- Tryouts for the Human Race (Extended Version)
- Beat the Clock (Extended Version)
- La Dolce Vita (Extended Version)
- The Number One Song in Heaven (Extended Version)
- Young Girls (Disco Version)
- I Predict (Club Mix)
- Modesty Plays (Extended Version)
- Cool Places (feat. Jane Wiedlin) (Doorman's Delirium Mix)
- The Number One Song in Heaven (Extended Version with Jimmy Somerville)
Disc 2
- All You Ever Think About is Sex (12" Club Version)
- Dance Godammit (12" Club Version)
- Progress (Vocal/Extended Club Mix)
- Pretending to Be Drunk (Extended Version/New Mix)
- Kiss Me Quick (Extended Version/New Mix)
- With All My Might (Vocal/Extended Club Mix)
- Sparks in the Dark (Instrumental/Extended Club Mix)
- Tryouts for the Human Race (12" Short Version)
Disc 1, Track 1 was Elektra 12" A-side AS 11412 (U.S.), 1979
Disc 1, Track 2 was Virgin 12" A-side VS 270-12 (U.K.), 1979
Disc 1, Track 3 was Oasis/Ariola 12" A-side 600011 (DE), 1979
Disc 1, Track 4 was Virgin 12" A-side VS 244-12 (U.K.), 1979
Disc 1, Track 5 was Virgin 12" A-side VS 343-12 (U.K.), 1980
Disc 1, Track 6 was Underdog 12" A-side 8159 (FR), 1982
Disc 1, Track 7 was Underdog 12" A-side 8226 (FR), 1982
Disc 1, Track 8 was Atlantic 12" A-side 0-89863 (U.S.), 1983
Disc 1, Track 9 from Virgin CD single 72438 94284 2 1 (DE), 1997
Disc 2, Tracks 1-2 were Atlantic 12" 0-86990 (U.S.), 1983
Disc 2, Tracks 3 and 6-7 were Atlantic 12" 0-86939 (U.S.), 1984
Disc 2, Tracks 4-5 were Atlantic promotional 12" PR-644 (U.S.), 1984
Disc 2, Track 8 was Ariola 12" B-side 600150 (DE), 1979
Jason Michael says
These are worth buying just for the songs from "#1 In Heaven". The extended versions of 'Tryouts For The Human Race' and 'Beat the Clock' bring back great memories. I dug out my old vinyl and played it earlier this week and that album has really stood the passage of time. Morodor had a great run back then- I have also been playing his Donna Summer productions as well as Blondie's 'Call Me' and Bowie's 'Cat People' as of late. They are still fresh sounding.
Tom says
Moroder's productions are timeless. He really deserves a box set - whether it's a compilation of all his hit songs, or a movie-themed box set.
Dennis says
Definetely looking forward to both releases, hopefully the sound quality will be as good as promised on the Repertoire page.
Omar says
I'm thrilled. But what about the rest of the 80s. It wouldve been nice to include all of their 80s singles on these discs.
Dave Fuller says
Ummm not exactly "every side released by the group, in every size, on every label the band were signed to around the world"...where's the "Beat The Clock (Alternative Mix)" from the UK Virgin 7"?
Jay² says
Can anyone comment on the quality of the 'Real' Extended 2 CD please? Repertoire Records refuses to respond to any of my 4 previous (5 as of today, it is then!) e-mails. Has the intro of Beat The Clock been 'clipped' at the start as all previous CD compilation releases?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009WO1ZZ4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B009WO1ZZ4&linkCode=as2&tag=thesecdis-21