: Uses the original 12" masters that defined 80s club culture. Rare Tracks : Includes "harder-to-find" versions of hits by Malcolm McLaren Strawberry Switchblade that are often absent from digital streaming platforms. Further Exploration Check the full, verified 47-track list on the Now Music Wiki Read detailed user reviews and community feedback on Explore more entries in the NOW 12" series including year-specific collections like 1985 and 1986. included in this specific 4-CD set? AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
The final disc moves toward the late 80s, incorporating R&B and novelty tracks. Ray Parker Jr.'s "Ghostbusters" appears in a rare extended version, as does Tina Turner's "What's Love Got To Do With It" and the dance classic "Let's Hear It For The Boy" by Deniece Williams. This disc ensures that the journey through the decade ends on a high-energy, soulful note.
Prior to the 1980s, the standard 7-inch single reigned supreme, pacing pop music at a radio-friendly three minutes. The rise of club culture, pioneered by New York disco DJs and UK synth-pop innovators, demanded longer tracks to sustain dancefloor energy. The 12-inch single answered this call. It offered wider groove spacing for deeper bass response, higher dynamic range, and expansive spaces for experimental instrumentation. VA - Now That-s What I Call 12-- 80s -4CD- -202...
202… Label: Sony Music / Universal / EMI (Now Music) Format: 4CD Box Set, Digital Download
The quadruple-disc layout categorizes the soundscapes of the decade into distinct musical movements: Disc 1: Synth-Pop Pioneers and New Wave Icons : Uses the original 12" masters that defined
During the 1980s, the 12-inch vinyl single evolved from a simple tool for club DJs into a mainstream commercial powerhouse. Artists utilized the wider grooves of the 12-inch format to pack in deep bass, extended instrumental breaks, and experimental engineering techniques.
The "NOW 12" 80s" series is a spin-off from the main "Now That's What I Call Music!" compilations. While the standard "NOW" albums release multi-disc sets spanning the recent chart history across various decades, these specific compilations focus exclusively on the decade of the 1980s. However, instead of rehashing standard album edits or 7" single versions, this series dedicates itself entirely to the extended 12" mixes that were pressed on large vinyl records for discos, clubs, and audiophiles. included in this specific 4-CD set
The 12-inch single was a cultural phenomenon. It was the preferred medium for DJs and enthusiasts who wanted to hear the full arrangement of a song. NOW That’s What I Call 12” 80s: Extended captures that specific energy—the excitement of a longer intro, the satisfaction of a more complex instrumental break, and the sheer joy of hearing a classic song given more space to breathe.