So80s Presents Omd

Glad to see this new turn for the so80s series. After four volumes of various artists, compilers Blank & Jones are now focusing their attention on individual 80s acts and bringing a bunch of their 12" mixes together on one disc. Of course, none of these is really definitive, and a lot of this stuff has appeared on other compilations. I'd say the OMD compilation manages to get the most mixes on CD that have never been on CD before which is fantastic. The only problem is--are they the mixes you are looking for? The fact is, a majority of the tracks on here have had more than ONE 12" mix (US mix vs. UK mix, etc), so you may not be getting the specific mixes you've been trying to get on CD for so long. Honestly, they should have gone for it and made this at least a 2-disc set with a more complete collection of the numerous OMD mixes out there. Actually, it's really time the OMD albums are reissued with all the remixes as bonus tracks! Track list for this CD, with a couple of personal notes:1. if you leave (extended version) 06:052. secret (extended mix) 06:143. telegraph (extended version) 05:37 (this version is different than my 12" vinyl, which runs 4:44 and has yet to appear on CD. This version already has.)4. talking loud and clear (extended version) 08:53 (this is very odd--I always thought the original 12" was TWO tracks--a short instrumental version, then a very clear break before a new track starts, which I considered the 12" mix. On here, both versions are included as one track, with that same long pause in between--so I'm really not sure if it was meant to be presented this way on the original vinyl as 1 track.)5. genetic engineering (extended) 05:106. call my name (12" version) 05:227. dreaming (extended mix) 06:22 (the only mix I've yet to find on CD is the U.S. 12" mix, which is totally remixed with more of a house music sound. I prefer this extended mix, but I'd still like to find the remix on CD)8. so in love (extended version) 05:359. tesla girls (extended mix) 04:45 (this is a mix I'm unfamiliar with--it's much more remixed than my 12", which is simply an extended version of the original)10. (forever) live and die (extended mix) 05:54 (yay! The U.S. 12" mix on CD!)11. never turn away (extended version) 06:3312. sailing on the seven seas (extended version) 05:4613. brides of frankenstein (us release megamix) 07:15

It wouldve been five stars but they opted to include the inane megamix in favor if omitting something like my favorite "Locomotion" 12" mix.Otherwise a fine sounding disc.

Wish this was a "complete" set, but you can't cry that this collection exists. Would be great if it had notes about the mixes and such, very minimal, budget packaging, but to get some of these on cd, wow, how cool....classic stuff! Of course, the 90's stuff you probably have on cd, but if you lost track of OMD before the digital age took over it gives a nice intro into their post-Pacific Age stuff. Must have unless you had all the 12s already and recorded them digitally yourself.

OMD has been a long time favorite of mine. I also have been a collector of extended versions and 12" singles for almost 30 years. This is the best of both worlds and there's a lot to like here. Most of these I didn't know existed so it was fun discovering them for the first time. I am very happy to expand my collection with this CD.

Interesting variations on OMD favorites. Some better than others.

OMD has to be my second favorite musical group right behing Depeche Mode. I have all of the music by both groups and now am looking into buying different remixes. The songs are familiar of course but the new spin or sound make it unique.

Es un buen CD de mezclas de OMD, aunque creo que podrían haberlo hecho mucho mejor. Prefiero el CD de los grandes éxitos de OMD. ¡Dios los bendiga!

great collection of mixes. I hate it when jewel cases arrive all cracked and the inside prongs that hold the cd were half broken. Great band, great music.

It's a good CD. Some cool remixes of their songs.

有りそうで無かった、彼らのエクステンデッド・バージョン集。もう大満足です。キャリアが長く、リリースした作品もかなりの数にのぼる彼らですが、新たにその世界に触れたいと考えている方で、ベスト盤一枚だけでは物足りないような場合、現在のカタログから言えば、１、本作２、Messages : Greatest Hits (Bonus DVD)３、Navigation : The OMD B-Sidesの三枚を入手すれば、かなり正確に全体像が把握できると思います。(２に付属のＤＶＤは、プロモ・クリップ集です)ポップ、前衛、エバーグリーン。素敵なサウンドが満載です。

Blank & Jones have been very busy lately with their SO80s range. Initially they were various artists megamixes with 2 CDs of original 12" (including many not on the medley disc) - now they have focussed on compiling single artist discs. These are not megamixed, thankfully, but collect some choice 12" from the era (ie not 90s, or later, remakes/remixes). The sound is warm and rounded, not over-bright, and everything does sound very 'clean'.Highlights here are "Talking Loud & Clear" on CD at last, "So In Love" 12" being the 2nd UK version (ie not the US/Brand New Remix which veers a long way from the original), and "Never Turn Away", which is a moody masterpiece!Also the 12" here of "Tesla Girls" is a 4:44 edit of the US Special Extended Remix (which went even further than the Remix Extra that appeared on UK Cassette and some 12"). That mix was just over 5 minutes, and listening to this it appears to lose 20 seconds from the rather long intro, thus cutting to the vocals quicker. Although I don't have the Canadian 12", only the 4 track UK and US, this may well be same version - either way, it's a radical revamp which makes it onto CD for the first time.But here is my main reason for 4 stars, "Forever Live and Die" - it's the band's preferred Tom Lord-Alge extended remix (starts with a fade-in like the standard version). That's good news, you'd think, until you find it 'jumps' at exactly the same point as the vast majority of the vinyl pressings out there. Whilst it is 'on a beat' I have heard a version that is around 2-3 seconds longer and does not do this (and isn't some home-done re-edit!).Blank & Jones did respond to this on the OMD forum, as they were given access to 'master tapes' by EMI, so could only use what they had. However I suspect this particular master is likely to be from a clean acetate, rather than the true original master tapes. There is no way Tom and the band would have done this odd 'jump' deliberately, and the master acetate being then used for UK pressings may have itself been faulty. We'll probably never know, unless Andy, Paul or Tom confirm, but it is a shame B&J weren't given a full version of this mix by EMI.Other slight downsides are the inclusion of "Brides of Frankenstein", although it is tagged on at the end of the disc, and the very 90s sounding "Sailing On The Seven Seas" extended version/mix (which sounds nothing like the track itself). I would have preferred they focussed on the 80s stuff only, such as "Locomotion".Arwork is minimal, with no liner notes, just adverts for the SO80s series. Still, this is WELL worth getting if you are a fan of OMD, or just curious about some of their 12" versions, but I'd hunt it down at a good price first!

This is a neat and concise collection of 12" remixes that were previously only available on Vinyl and, therefore, quite hard to get hold of in pristine condition.As has already been mentioned, the sound quality is really excellent and it seems care and attention has been paid throughout this project in terms of track sequencing and choices. Personally, I've always regarded OMD as a quintessential 80's band (though I know they have reformed and are writing and playing current material) so, to my ears, "Call My Name", "Sailing On The Seven Seas" and especially "Brides Of Frankenstein" are below standard and can easily be skipped without a second thought.Looking at my 12" of "Talking Loud And Clear", it's listed as the Extended Version, but I always regarded it as two separate mixes: one absolutely gorgeous short instrumental mix and a longer vocal version. Blank & Jones could easily have just put the longer vocal version on and most people would be none the wiser, so I'm very pleased that they've included the short instrumental mix which happens to be my favourite OMD remix, even though it's less than three minutes in length!The only downside is they've included the wrong mix of "Tesla Girls" - the original UK 12" is vastly superior to this US version, though you can get it on CD via the "Junk Culture" Deluxe Edition reissue, thankfully.All in all, well worth getting and the music/mixes still stand up well over 30 years' later.

I was only a casual listener of OMD singles in the early 80's, so most of the mixes on this cd are new to me. Mixes of tracks from the period the late 80's aren't so good, as the mixes destroy the essence of the original song. Extended versions from earlier in their career fare much better. Forever live and die is a particular favourite.