Michaeö Jackson 2022

In many ways, Jackson Browne is the quintessential sensitive California singer/songwriter of the early '70s. Only Joni Mitchell and James Taylor rank alongside him in terms of influence, but neither artist tapped into the post-'60s Zeitgeist quite like Browne. While the majority of his classic '70s work was unflinchingly personal, it nevertheless provided a touchstone for a generation of maturing baby boomers coming to terms with adulthood. Not only did his introspective, literate lyrics strike a nerve, but his laid-back folk-rock set the template for much of the music to come out of California during the 1970s.

NOW Music was delighted to see the fantastic response to NOW - Yearbook 1984, with the album reaching No.1. Clearly, 1984 has a place in people’s hearts (and collections). However, we couldn’t possibly fit the full range of amazing tracks available on one compilation. NOW is proud to present NOW - Yearbook Extra 1984 with 60 more essential hits from the year. Released as a limited edition 3CD set, collectors and 80s pop lovers will find it a great compliment to their Yearbook collection. Including massive hits from Queen, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Sade, Elton John, Eurythmics, and Billy Joel, together with pop gems from Spandau Ballet, Culture Club, Allison Moyet, Duran Duran, Paul Young, and Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

As well as picking up litter on Wimbledon Common, The Wombles were the pop sensations of 1974, and ‘The Wombling Song’ kicks the last disc off – Boney M., Village People, Hot Chocolate and 10cc follow – as does the second featured track from ABBA, ‘SOS’, and Terry Jacks’ No. 1 ‘Seasons In The Sun’. Slade, Smokie, Sparks and Sailor all delivered stellar pop gold and Showaddywaddy, Darts, Mud and John Travolta all pay homage to the Rock ‘N’ Roll era - 70’s style, as does the theme from the huge TV show ‘Happy Days’, and the first single to sell over two million copies in the UK and spent nine weeks at No. 1. ‘Mull Of Kintyre’ from Wings makes the perfect song to conclude our journey through the pop goldmine of the 1970s.

One of the reasons that Jackson Browne's first album is among the most auspicious debuts in pop music history is that it doesn't sound like a debut. Although only 23, Browne had kicked around the music business for several years, writing and performing as a member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and as Nico's backup guitarist, among other gigs, while many artists recorded his material. So, if this doesn't sound like someone's first batch of songs, it's not. Browne had developed an unusual use of language, studiedly casual yet full of striking imagery, and a post-apocalyptic viewpoint to go with it. He sang with a calm certainty over spare, discretely placed backup – piano, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, congas, violin, harmony vocals – that highlighted the songs and always seemed about to disappear.

NOW Music proudly presents NOW That’s What I Call Punk & New Wave - a collection encapsulating the spirit of the times, and of the movement that changed the course of mainstream pop music.89 tracks across 4 CDs, present the era’s most iconic artists, including The Clash, Blondie, Ramones, U2, Buzzcocks, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Adam & The Ants, The Jam and The Cure.‘London Calling’ by The Clash, The Undertones’ breakthrough hit ‘Teenage Kicks’, and Buzzcocks ‘Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)’, kick off the first disc - alongside classics from The Stranglers, Siouxsie And The Banshees and Ramones.The late 70s and early 80s saw an explosion of punk and new wave groups and artists moving from the underground to mainstream chart success. No.1s from The Jam with ‘Going Underground’, ‘Brass In Pocket’ by Pretenders, The Boomtown Rats’ ‘Rat Trap’, Dexys Midnight Runners’ ‘Geno’, and Ian Dury & The Blockheads’ ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’ are all here, as well as top 5 hits from Squeeze, Lene Lovich, Joe Jackson and Patti Smith.The genre also gave the first crossover success for bands that became the biggest acts in music during the late 70s and early 80s, including The Police, U2, The Cure, Blondie, all featured – along with two tracks from Adam & The Ants’ breakthrough album ‘Kings Of The Wild Frontier’, with the title track and ‘Dog Eat Dog’.True unique masterpieces of song-writing and performance that sound as fresh today as they did then include Iggy Pop’s ‘Lust For Life’, The Members’ ‘Sound Of The Suburbs’, Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, and ‘Rock Lobster’ from The B-52’s.Brilliant covers flooded the charts – bringing new arrangements and different perspectives to established tracks, including The Slits’ cover of the Motown classic 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine’, ‘Money’ by The Flying Lizards, Blondie’s ‘Hanging On The Telephone’ and ‘Denis’, and ‘I Only Want To Be With You’ by The Tourists.A fantastic collection of unique tracks that summarize an incredible time for music.

The Hits Album: The Classic Soul Album brings together era-defining soul classics that have become enduring favourites years after their chart peak. This collection contains the smoothest grooves from soul royalty including Marvin Gaye’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”, Stevie Wonder’s “Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday”, Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There” and Ike & Tina Turner’s “River Deep – Mountain High”. This essential collection is filled with passionate love songs featuring Barry White’s “Just The Way You Are” and “Free” from Deniece Williams. Sing along and slow-dance at home to over 60 timeless anthems from Diana Ross, Earth, Wind & Fire, Commodores, The Supremes, James Brown, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Drifters, The Isley Brothers, Nina Simone and many more.

Across 3CDs come 67 groovy hits that make the perfect soundtrack for the ultimate '70s party. From huge sing-along pop hits to disco anthems, rock classics to soul favourites, this collection showcases all the songs that would have made any '70s party complete. Featuring huge hits from Donna Summer, Boney M, Elvis Presley, The Jackson 5, Blondie and many many more, this collection is an absolute must-have for party season. It really is 'The Best '70s Party Album In The World…Ever!'

Following previous reviews of this groundbreaking series I am running out of superlatives to use. It is the last of the planned sets, but I believe other recordings may follow. Set 7 contains six CDs, accompanied by extensive notes from blues historian Paul Oliver. There are some wonderful and memorable tracks on these final albums which bring the series to a fitting end.

"Let's Get Serious" is the 6th studio album by Jermaine Jackson, released in 1980. It reached #6 on the Billboard album chart and logged five weeks at #1 on the Top R&B chart. It achieved sales of 900,000 copies in the United States. The title track was 1980's biggest Soul hit of the year and a Top 10 Pop hit as well. This is the most successful album of Jermaine's career.