When Kylie Minogue stepped onto a stage in August of 1986 to perform “I’ve Got You Babe” and “The Loco-Motion” at a benefit concert, she probably didn’t realize it would help to propel her, within one year, on a path to become one of the biggest pop sensations in the world.  By the end of 1987, her first single was released by PWL and climbed within several weeks to No. 1 in the UK, beginning a long string of hits with the label in the late 1980s and early 1990s.  Cherry Red and PWL have recently teamed up to release the first-ever deluxe reissues of Minogue’s first four albums in a variety of formats.

Kylie Minogue was one of the stars of the Australian soap opera Neighbours and had an eye toward a music career for several years prior to that fateful 1986 benefit concert.  Her show-stopping performance there led her to record a version of Carole King and Gerry Goffin’s “The Loco-Motion” which got her the attention of Australian label Mushroom Records.  Minogue’s recording was reworked and released in mid-1987 as “Locomotion” where it raced up the charts and spent seven weeks as Australia’s #1 song.

This new version of the single was in the style of the SAW production team.  The trio of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman were the pioneering British hi-NRG producers behind 1986’s smash cover of “Venus” by Bananarama.  Mushroom was handling licensing and publishing for Waterman’s   PWL label and Mushroom head Gary Ashley wanted SAW to produce Minogue’s next single.  Waterman was initially reluctant, but when her episodes of Neighbours began airing in the U.K., he agreed to bring her in to record.

Unfortunately, despite hits with Bananarama and Rick Astley, PWL was still a relatively small operation at the time and a mix-up had Minogue arrive at the studio in London without the SAW team being ready.  While she went out on a tour of the city, “I Should Be So Lucky” was hastily written and recorded when she returned.  Not expecting much, Minogue returned to Australia.  The single was released in December of 1987 and by February was No. 1 both in the U.K. and Australia.  Minogue and PWL soon signed a three-record deal.

Kylie recorded three of the songs for her eventual first album in Australia in between her filming Neighbours.  “Got to Be Certain” was chosen as the next single and it climbed to #2 in the UK and #1 in Australia.  Minogue decided to quit Neighbours (which she did later in 1988 - although she would continue to appear in the show on British televisions as the episodes were aired 18 months behind Australia) and returned to London to finish the rest of the album.  Some of the songs were written for her specifically and some had originated with other SAW artists.  (SAW operated as a kind of “hit-factory” like Motown in its heyday – songs would be passed from artist to artist).  All of the songs were written and produced by the SAW team.  Kylie premiered in July of 1988 and would eventually go multiple times platinum in the U.K. (where it was the best-selling album of 1988) and Australia.  In the U.S., it went gold.  The next single from the album was another reworked version of “Locomotion,” now back to its original title of “The Loco-Motion,” which went to No. 2 in the U.K. and No. 3 in the US.  “Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi” was also released as a single, again going to No. 2 in Britain.

Minogue’s next hit single was a duet with her onscreen Neighbours and real-life boyfriend Jason Donovan (also an artist on PWL).  “Especially for You” was released in November of 1988 and was the first #1 single of 1989 in the UK.  Work quickly started on her next album, Enjoy Yourself, which was released in October of 1989.  It continued much in the style of her debut album and debuted at #1 in Britain.  The first single, “Hand on Your Heart” had preceded the album in April and topped the British charts.  Other singles from the album included “Wouldn’t Change a Thing” (UK #2) and “Never Too Late” (UK #4).  The final single from the album was a cover of Little Anthony and the Imperials’ 1958 hit “Tears on My Pillow.”  It also appeared on the soundtrack to the film The Delinquents in which Kylie had starred.  It went to No. 1 in the U.K. and became Minogue’s final British chart-topper for a decade.

For her next album, Rhythm of Love, Kylie decided a change was in order.  Encouraged by her new boyfriend, Michael Hutchence of INXS, Minogue wanted more control of her music and image.  While still mostly produced and written by the SAW team, the new album would feature songs written co-written by Minogue.  It would also include several songs written and produced by Americans for the first time.  After disappointing sales of Enjoy Yourself in the US, Minogue was dropped from her American label Geffen and picked up by MCA.  They wanted a more American sound for Kylie.   Michael Jay (of Martika’s “Toy Soldiers” fame) contributed the track “The World Still Turns.”  Keith Cohen, who had produced hits for Paula Abdul, was the producer for three other Los Angeles recorded tracks (all Minogue co-writes).  The rest were written and produced by the SAW team, although some with a darker side than had been seen in their music for Kylie up to this point.  “Better the Devil You Know” was released in April 1990, several months before the album’s release.  It showed the public the new, more mature Kylie Minogue.  The No. 2 U.K. hit became a fan-favorite and has closed most of her live shows since its release.  Dropping in November 1990, Rhythm of Love didn’t match the success of Minogue’s previous two efforts and only peaked at No. 9 in the U.K.  It was not even released in the United States.  “Step Back in Time” (U.K.  No. 4), “What Do I Have to Do” (U.K. No. 6) and “Shocked” (U.K.  No. 6) were the other singles from the album.

With her initial record deal over, Kylie agreed to stay with PWL for another album, but it would be her original last outing for the label.  Matt Aitken left SAW in May 1991 and Minogue then continued to work with Mike Stock and Peter Waterman who stayed with PWL.  This time out, Minogue co-wrote six of the songs and for the first time with Stock and Waterman.  The album featured club-oriented songs and ballads.  Released in August 1991, “Word Is Out” was the first single, but stalled at #16 on the UK charts.  The album itself, entitled Let’s Get To It came out in October 1991.  Unfortunately for Kylie and PWL, it was her poorest commercial album performance to date, only reaching No. 15 in Britain and No. 13 in Australia.  Two singles from the record did fare better: “If You Were With Me Now” peaked at No. 4 U.K. and a cover of The Chairmen of the Board’s “Give Me Just a Little More Time” climbed all the way to No. 2 in Britain.

PWL released a greatest hits compilation of Kylie’s music in 1992 which went to No. 1 in Britain.  There were three new songs on the album, two of which were released as singles: “What Kind of Fool (Heard it All Before) and a cover of Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration.”  The next year, Minogue signed with Deconstruction Records, ending her tenure at PWL.  Kylie has of course continued to be a major pop star in the ensuing years, releasing eight more original studio albums while continuing with her acting career and popular concert tours.  A big commercial success came in 2001 with the single “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” off the album Fever on Parlophone.

The new reissues from Cherry Red/PWL come in a variety of formats:  1-CD Special Editions, 2-CD/1-DVD Deluxe Editions and 2-CD/1-DVD/1-LP Collector’s Editions.  The bonus tracks include B-sides, non-album songs and numerous remixes.  The DVDs feature promo music videos together with performances from television.  All told, the 8 CDs and 4 DVDs of the Deluxe/Collector’s Editions contain 124 songs, 21 promo videos and 22 television performances.  No remastering information is found within the credits.  All of the booklets do, however, feature complete lyrics, photos and a comprehensive essay (an author is not credited).  The length of the booklets ranges from 24 pages for the Special Editions to 48 pages in the Collector’s Editions.  Only the Collector’s Editions booklets contain a discography.  Also only in the Collector’s Editions are a picture disc vinyl LP of the original album, a special slipcase for the 2 CDs and DVD, a fold-out poster and six memorabilia postcards.

Kylie Minogue has been one of the biggest pop stars in the world for nearly 30 years now.  If you would like to explore where she got her start, these new reissues of her first four albums from PWL and Cherry Red give you an in-depth look and come in enough varieties to satisfy your interest level.

Note regarding below tracklistings:  CD 1 is the Special Edition.  CD 2 and the DVD are in Deluxe and Collector’s Editions.  LP is only in the Collector’s Edition.

Kylie Minogue, Kylie (PWL Records HF3, 1988 – reissued PWL/Cherry Red KYLIE 1, 2015)

Kylie – Special Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Kylie – Deluxe Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Kylie – Collectors’ Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

CD 1

1. I Should Be So Lucky
2. The Loco-Motion
3. Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi
4. Got to Be Certain
5. Turn It Into Love
6. I Miss You
7. I’ll Still Be Loving You
8. Look My Way
9. Love At First Sight
10. Made In Heaven
11. Locomotion
12. I Should Be So Lucky (Extended Version)
13. Got to Be Certain (Extended Version)
14. The Loco-Motion (The Kohaku Mix)
15. Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi (Moi Non Plus Mix)
16. It’s No Secret (Extended Version)
17. Made In Heaven (Maid in England Mix)

CD 2

1. Locomotion (Chugga-Motion Mix)
2. Getting Closer (Extended Oz Mix)
3. I Should Be So Lucky (The Bicentennial Remix)
4. Got To Be Certain (Extra Beat Boys Remix)
5. The Loco-Motion (The Sankie Mix)
6. Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi (The Revolutionary Mix)
7. Made in Heaven (Original 12” Mix)
8. I Should Be So Lucky (12” Remix)
9. The Loco-Motion (12” Master)
10. Glad to Be Alive
11. Getting Closer (UK Mix)
12. Made in Heaven (Heaven Scent Mix)
13. The Loco-Motion (Oz Tour Mix)

DVD

1. I Should Be So Lucky (Promo Video)
2. Got To Be Certain (Promo Video)
3. The Loco-Motion (Promo Video)
4. Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi (Promo Video)
5. It’s No Secret (Promo Video)
6. Made in Heaven (Promo Video)
7. The Loco-Motion (Top of the Pops)
8. Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi (Top of the Pops)

LP

1. I Should Be So Lucky
2. The Loco-Motion
3. Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi
4. Got to Be Certain
5. Turn It Into Love
6. I Miss You
7. I’ll Still Be Loving You
8. Look My Way
9. Love At First Sight
10. Made In Heaven

Kylie Minogue, Enjoy Yourself (PWL Records HF9, 1989 – reissued PWL/Cherry Red KYLIE 2, 2015)

Enjoy Yourself – Special Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Enjoy Yourself – Deluxe Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Enjoy Yourself – Collectors’ Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

CD 1

1. Hand on Your Heart
2. Wouldn’t Change a Thing
3. Never Too Late
4. Nothing to Lose
5. Tell-Tale Signs
6. My Secret Heart
7. I’m Over Dreaming (Over You)
8. Tears on My Pillow
9. Heaven and Earth
10. Enjoy Yourself
11. Especially for You
12. All I Wanna Do
13. Just Wanna Love You
14. We Know the Meaning of Love
15. Hand on Your Heart (The Great Aorta Mix)
16. Wouldn’t Change a Thing (Your Thang Mix)
17. Never Too Late (Extended Version)
18. Tears on My Pillow (Extended Version)
19. Especially for You (Extended Version)

CD 2

1. Hand on Your Heart (The Heartache Mix)
2. Wouldn’t Change a Thing (The Espagna Mix)
3. I’m Over Dreaming (Over You) (Extended Remix)
4. We Know the Meaning of Love (Extended Version)
5. Tears on My Pillow (12” Remix)
6. Especially for You (Original 12” Mix)
7. All I Wanna Do (Extended Version)
8. Hand on Your Heart (Smokin’ Remix)
9. Wouldn’t Change a Thing (Yoyo’s 12” Mix)
10. Especially for You (Original 7” Mix)
11. Hand on Your Heart (Video Mix)
12. Wouldn’t Change a Thing (The Espagna Mix Edit)
13. Never Too Late (Oz Tour Mix)
14. I’m Dreaming Over You (7” Remix)
15. Hand on Your Heart (Dub)

DVD

1. Especially for You (Promo Video)
2. Hand on Your Heart (Promo Video)
3. Wouldn’t Change a Thing (Promo Video)
4. Never Too Late (Promo Video)
5. Tears on My Pillow (Promo Video)
6. Especially for You (Wogan)
7. Especially for You (Top of the Pops)
8. Hand on Your Heart (Top of the Pops)
9. Wouldn’t Change a Thing (Wogan)
10. Wouldn’t Change a Thing (Top of the Pops)
11. Never Too Late (Going Live)
12. Never Too Late (Top of the Pops)

LP

1. Hand on Your Heart
2. Wouldn’t Change a Thing
3. Never Too Late
4. Nothing to Lose
5. Tell-Tale Signs
6. My Secret Heart
7. I’m Over Dreaming (Over You)
8. Tears on My Pillow
9. Heaven and Earth
10. Enjoy Yourself

Kylie Minogue, Rhythm of Love (PWL Records HF18, 1990 – reissued PWL/Cherry Red KYLIE 3, 2015)

Rhythm of Love – Special Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Rhythm of Love – Deluxe Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Rhythm of Love – Collectors’ Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

CD 1

1. Better the Devil You Know
2. Step Back in Time
3. What Do I Have to Do?
4. Secrets
5. Always Find the Time
6. The World Still Turns
7. Shocked
8. One Boy Girl
9. Things Can Only Get Better
10. Count the Days
11. Rhythm of Love
12. Better the Devil You Know (The Mad March Hare Mix)
13. Step Back in Time (Walkin’ Rhythm Mix)
14. What Do I Have to Do? (Pumpin’ Mix)
15. Shocked (DNA 12” Mix)
16. Things Can Only Get Better (Original Mix)

CD 2

1. Better the Devil You Know (Dave Ford Mix)
2. Step Back In Time (Tony King Mix)
3. What Do I Have to Do? (Between the Sheets Mix)
4. Shocked (Harding/Curnow 12” Mix)
5. Better the Devil You Know (Alternative Mix)
6. I Am the One For You
7. What Do I Have to Do? (Billy the Fish Mix)
8. Better the Devil You Know (US Remix)
9. One Boy Girl (12” Mix
10. Shocked (Harding/Curnow 7” Mix)
11. Things Can Only Get Better (Original 12” Mix)
12. What Do I Have to Do? (Sax on the Beach Mix)
13. Step Back in Time (The Big Shock)

DVD

1. Better the Devil You Know (Promo Video)
2. Step Back in Time (Promo Video)
3. What Do I Have to Do? (Promo Video)
4. Shocked (Promo Video)
5. Better the Devil You Know (Going Live)
6. Better the Devil You Know (Top of the Pops)
7. Better the Devil You Know (Christmas Top of the Pops)
8. Step Back in Time (Going Live)
9. Step Back in Time (Top of the Pops)
10. Shocked (Top of the Pops)

LP

1. Better the Devil You Know
2. Step Back in Time
3. What Do I Have to Do?
4. Secrets
5. Always Find the Time
6. The World Still Turns
7. Shocked
8. One Boy Girl
9. Things Can Only Get Better
10. Count the Days
11. Rhythm of Love

Kylie Minogue, Let’s Get To It (PWL Records HF21 – reissued PWL/Cherry Red KYLIE 4, 2015)

Let’s Get to It – Special Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Let’s Get to It – Deluxe Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Let’s Get to It – Collectors’ Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

CD 1

1. Word Is Out
2. Give Me Just a Little More Time
3. Too Much of a Good Thing
4. Finer Feelings
5. If You Were With Me Now
6. Let’s Get To It
7. Right Here, Right Now
8. Live and Learn
9. No World Without You
10. I Guess I Like It Like That
11. Say the Word – I’ll Be There
12. Do You Dare? (NRG Edit)
13. Closer (Edit)
14. Keep on Pumpin’ It (Angelic Remix Edit)
15. Word is Out (Extended Version)
16. If You Were With Me Now (Extended Version)
17. Give Me Just a Little More Time (Extended Version)
18. Finer Feelings (Brothers in Rhythm 12” Mix)

CD 2

1. Keep on Pumpin’ It (Angelic Remix)
2. Do You Dare? (NRG Mix)
3. Closer (The Pleasure Mix)
4. Word is Out (Summer Breeze Mix)
5. Too Much of a Good Thing (Original 12” Mix)
6. Let’s Get To It (Tony King 12” Mix)
7. Right Here, Right Now (Tony King 12” Mix)
8. Live and Learn (Original 12” Mix)
9. Keep on Pumpin’ It (Astral Flight Mix)
10. Do You Dare? (New Rave Mix)
11. No World Without You (Original Mix)
12. If You Were With Me Now (Orchestral Version)
13. Finer Feelings (Brothers in Rhythm Dub)

 

DVD

1. Word Is Out (Promo Video)
2. If You Were With Me Now (Promo Video)
3. Give Me Just a Little More Time (Promo Video)
4. Finer Feelings (Promo Video)
5. What Kind of Fool? (Promo Video)
6. Celebration (Promo Video)
7. Word is Out (Wogan)
8. Word It Out (Top of the Pops)
9. Give Me Just a Little More Time (Going Live)
10. Finer Feelings (Top of the Pops)
11. What Kind of Fool? (Top of the Pops)
12. Celebration (Top of the Pops)
13. Celebration (Smash Hits Poll Winners’ Party)

LP

1. Word Is Out
2. Give Me Just a Little More Time
3. Too Much of a Good Thing
4. Finer Feelings
5. If You Were With Me Now
6. Let’s Get To It
7. Right Here, Right Now
8. Live and Learn
9. No World Without You
10. I Guess I Like It Like That