UPDATE (7/30/2013): There are now two Icehouse remix sets scheduled from Repertoire. The second, out August 26, features more remixes from the singles covered on the first volume and selections from 1994's Full Circle remix project. Both sets are now after the jump.
ORIGINAL POST (5/28/2013): Having done remix compilations for the likes of Sparks and Giorgio Moroder in recent months, German label Repertoire turns their attention down under, to the dance mixes of Australian group Icehouse.
Led by Iva Davies, the synth-pop/rock band (first known as Flowers, but renaming themselves after their first album due to legal restrictions) became local chart mainstays with early singles like "Great Southern Land," "Hey Little Girl" and "Love in Motion," then later on in the decade with Top 5 hits "My Obsession," "Crazy" and "Electric Blue." (The latter, co-written by noted Icehouse fan John Oates, was the band's biggest hit worldwide, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard charts.)
"Electric Blue" is one of many, many Icehouse classics represented on this two-disc set, which includes mixes from all over their catalogue, on various international pressings. "Hey Little Girl," "Mr. Big," "No Promises," "Big Wheel" and "Great Southern Land" (featured in its original 12" version and a special aboriginal version on 1993's Spin One EP) are all here, too. Record Collector writer Michael Heatley pens the liner notes for the set.
Available on June 10, The 12 Inches can be pre-ordered now after the jump, which is of course where you'll also find the track list. (Thanks to super-reader Mark Goring for the tip!)
The 12 Inches (Repertoire REPUK-1170 (U.K.), 2013) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Disc 1
- Can't Help Myself (U.S. Club Mix) (12" promo A-side - Chrysalis CHS-37-PDJ (U.S.), 1981)
- Hey Little Girl (12" Version) (12" A-side - Chrysalis 600 733 (U.K.), 1982)
- Great Southern Land (12" A-side - Regular Records RRT 602 (AUS), 1982. From the album Primitive Man (Regular, 1982))
- Glam (12" Version) (12" B-side to "Hey, Little Girl" - Regular Records RRT 605 (AUS), 1982)
- Uniform (Extended Mix) (12" A-side - Chrysalis COOLX2 (U.K.), 1983)
- Taking the Town (Extended Dance Mix) (12" A-side - Chrysalis 601 324 (U.K.), 1984)
- No Promises (U.S. Club Mix) (12" A-side - Chrysalis VAS-2362 (U.S.), 1986)
- Cross the Border (Steel Love) (Dance Mix) (12" A-side - Chrysalis 4V9 43062 (U.S.), 1986)
- Mr. Big (Extended Version) (12" A-side - Regular Records X 12049 (AUS), 1986)
- Crazy (12" Manic Mix) (12" A-side - Chrysalis CHS 12 3156 (U.K.), 1987)
- Electric Blue (12" Version) (12" A-side - Regular Records X 14508 (AUS), 1987)
- Satellite (The Ex-static mix) (from Diva Records CD single 8808692 (AUS), 1993)
Disc 2
- Miss Divine (The Spellbound Mix) (12" A-side - Regular Records X 14885 (AUS), 1990)
- Nothing Too Serious (12" Version) (12" A-side - Regular Records X 14595 (AUS), 1988)
- Big Fun (12" The Riddler Mix) (B-side to "Miss Divine" CD single - Regular Records D 10212 (AUS), 1990)
- Hey Little Girl (U.S. Version) (12" A-side - Chrysalis 4V9 42731 (U.S.), 1983)
- No Promises (Extended Mix) (12" A-side - Chrysalis 607 964 (U.K.), 1984)
- Uniform (German Version) (12" B-side - Chrysalis COOLX2 (U.K.), 1983)
- Byrralku Dhangudha (from Spin One EP - Massive 8806062 (AUS), 1993)
- Big Wheel (General Dynamics Mix) (from Diva CD single 8810602 (AUS), 1993)
- Electric Blue (Extended Mix) (12" A-side - Chrysalis VAS 1014 (U.S.), 1988)
- Lay Your Hands On Me (12" Version) (from Diva CD single 0927491532 (AUS), 2002)
- MLK (from Spin One EP - Massive 8806062 (AUS), 1993)
- Dedicated to Glam (808 State 12" Mix) (from "Great Southern Land" CD single - Intercord INT 825425 (DE), 1994)
12 Inch Versions & Remixes, Vol. 2 (Repertoire REPUK-1176 (U.K.), 2013) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Disc 1
- Big Fun (The Mad Hatter Mix) (B-side to "Miss Divine" CD single - Regular Records D 10212 (AUS), 1990)
- Miss Divine (Mystified Mix) (12" A-side - Regular Records X 14885 (AUS), 1990)
- Crazy (Mad Mix) (12" B-side - Chrysalis CHS 12 3156 (U.K.), 1987)
- Can't Help Myself (Version 1) (12" promo A-side - Chrysalis CHS-37-PDJ (U.S.), 1981)
- Lay Your Hands on Me (Dark Angel Mix) (from Diva CD single 0927491532 (AUS), 2002)
- Dedicated to Glam (12" Mix / Icehouse / 808 State Showdown - Other Version) (from "Great Southern Land" CD single - Intercord INT 825425 (DE), 1994)
- Hey Little Girl (DJ Darling vs. DJ Sören) (from Control CD single 0042405 (DE), 1997)
- Hey Little Girl (Xtended Edit) (from Control CD single 0042405 (DE), 1997)
- Cross the Border (Steel Love) (Dub Version) (12" B-side - Chrysalis 4V9 43062 (U.S.), 1986)
- Electric Blue (Dub Mix) (12" B-side - Chrysalis CHS 12 3239 (U.K.), 1987)
- No Promises (Dub) (12" B-side - Chrysalis VAS-2362 (U.S.), 1986)
- Crazy (Midnight Mix) (12" B-side - Regular Records X 13285 (AUS), 1987)
- Hey Little Girl (Dub Version) (12" B-side - Chrysalis 4V9 42731 (U.S.), 1983)
Disc 2: Revolution and Time & Motion Mixes (released on Full Circle - Massive 7897592 (AUS), 1994)
- Shakin' the Cage (Techno)
- Colours
- Desdemona
- Mercy
- Yo, Micro Babe
- She Comes
- Wild
- Melt Steel (Part 1)
- Slow Motion
- Kilimanjaro 7
- Blue Noise
- The Great Southern Mix
SimonP says
Interestingly, Amazon seem to think this is Volume 1...
Don says
Very excited about this! And yes, early press material references this as "The 12 Inches Vol. 1," which suggests that there might be a Volume 2 in the offing if this one is successful. Also of note, Repertoire is also reissuing "Primitive Man" and the 3-disc "White Heat" compilation with different liner notes (and in the case of "Primitive Man," different bonus tracks) than the Australian versions released last year. They're also releasing a Germany-exclusive single-disc Best Of for Icehouse.
Don says
http://www.repertoirerecords.com/?page_id=7466
Ben says
Thanks for the notification, Don - these releases sound very comprehensive. Repertoire did a great job with the Giorgio Moroder stuff.
Todd says
Volume 2 on the way already!
http://www.repertoirerecords.com/?p=7880
Don says
I just got Volume 1 yesterday but haven't listened yet. It's great that so many of these 12" mixes are now available on CD. On the downside, reports in another forum suggest that at least one of these tracks ("No Promises-US Dance Mix") is sourced from vinyl. That seems really strange, as that track has already appeared on CD in the past...
Jason says
I received the compilation today. Note that "No Promises [US Club Mix]" is one of many tracks sourced from vinyl. I will give a complete overview later once I listen to the entire 2-CD set ...