Liner Note Author: Gail Mitchell. Representative of the transition between late-1970s funk and the smooth R&B that came to dominate '80s pop radio, Frankie Beverly's Maze is rightfully recognized as an important band in the genre. This 2004 compilation brings together 18 of Maze's finest moments, ranging from 1979's bass-popping jam "Workin' Together" to the silky, Quiet Storm vibe of 1993's "The Morning After." In between is more than a decade's worth of accessible soul, including lock-step funk ("Running Away"), slow-pulse love balladry ("Never Let You Down"), and lounge-ready mid-tempo grooves ("We Are One").Leader, songwriter, and singer Frankie Beverly is the focus here, and his smooth-as-butter croon, complete with emotive R&B embellishments, shines throughout. Though influenced by... Less

The title of MCA Special Products' Greatest Rock Hits of the 80's shouldn't be taken literally -- after all, these songs are closer to new wave than "rock & roll." Instead, it should be thought of as a random sampler of new wave and pop hits from MCA and MCA-affiliated artists. If you have those expectations, the disc will be quite enjoyable, since it contains such staples as "I Think We're Alone Now," "Safety Dance," "You Keep Me Hangin' On," "Right on Track," "I Can Dream About You," "Wouldn't It Be Good," "Heaven Is a Place on Earth," "Pass the Dutchie," and "Everybody Have Fun Tonight," all of which are enough to make it worth its budget-line price. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

2008 five CD set. 100 Hits 80s Pop showcases the best classic tracks from the decade, including tracks from Fine Young Cannibals, Communards, Debbie Gibson, Bananarama, A-Ha and many more. 100 Hits.

While many automatically think of such acts as Whitesnake, Def Leppard, and Van Halen when discussing the top acts of the '80s pop metal movement, Night Ranger often get lost in the shuffle. For several years during the mid-'80s, it appeared as though the band could do no wrong. The hits and the sellout tours just kept on coming.But the band called it quits shortly after the disappointing showing of their 1988 release BIG LIFE, with singer Jack Blades finding further success as part of the supergroup Damn Yankees. 1989's GREATEST HITS collects the very best of the Night Ranger catalog, spotlighting all the quintet's chart busters and notable tracks--such as the hard-edged "Don't Tell Me You Love Me," the smash power ballad "Sister Christian," and the pop rocker "When You Close Your Eyes."

The roster of `80s pop acts that successfully reinvented themselves decades later is only marginally longer than the list of great kosher barbecue restaurants. Those `80s artists who reentered the spotlight at all either went the nostalgia route, trotting out the old hits, or banged out new tunes using the same old formula. Red Box, however, seem to have found a workable new sonic identity that neither trades on the band's past nor seems likely to alienate old fans. In the mid-`80s, Red Box took their synth pop sound to the upper reaches of the British pop charts with such hits as "Lean on Me" and "For America," but the group only lasted until 1990. On their first album in 20 years, though, Red Box leave the drum-machine beats and synth riffs behind in favor of a warmer, much more organic... Less

Mind-blowing five CD set packed with hits from the '80s. Not only will you find New Wave classics from Ultravox, Yazoo, Heaven 17, Duran Duran, OMD, Blondie, Baltimora, Kajagoogoo and Culture Club but there's also plenty of R&B, Rock, Pop and Top 40 magic from Jermaine Stewart, Kylie Minogue, Tina Turner, Sheena Easton, Sly Fox, Ashford & Simpson, John Waite, Marillion, Whitesnake, Billy Idol, Morrissey, David Bowie, Dusty Springfield, Alexander O'Neal, Queen and many more. This is an '80s party just waiting to happen! 101 hits crammed into one box. Like, oh my gawd! EMI.

Cher's best career-spanning collection on the market. And what a career she had. Starting in the mid-'60s with the girl group-styled pop of Sonny & Cher and her solo folk-rock work all the way through to the dance-pop sensation of 1999's "Believe," she has never stayed put for long and that makes for a very interesting collection. The first disc collects songs recorded with Sonny, her early folk-rock hit "All I Really Want to Do," and her solo work from the '70s, including an extended version of her 1979 disco hit "Take Me Home." The second disc combines her '80s rock babe persona and her dance diva work at the end of the century, and includes remixed versions of "Heart of Stone" and "One by One." Both discs are solid listens.DISC 1: 1. I Got You Babe - (with Sonny) 2. Baby Don't Go -... Less

Odd Man Out: Chuck Wright, Billy Sheehan (bass guitar); Gary Griffin, Lanny Cordola, Matt Sorum, Pat Regan, Pat Torpey, Paul Gilbert, Steve Lukather. Personnel: Lanny Cordola (vocals, guitar, 12-string guitar); Pat Torpey (vocals, drums); Paul Gilbert, Steve Lukather, Billy Duffy (guitar); Chuck Wright (electric sitar); Cameron Stone (cello); Chris Bleth (duduk); Patrick Warren (chamberlin); Pat Regan (keyboards, sampler); Gary Griffin (keyboards); Matt Sorum (drums).Audio Mixer: Pat Regan.Recording information: New Century Media. Photographers: Chuck Wright; John Harrell.Pat Torpey is best known as the drummer of pop-metallists Mr. Big, but he is also the leader of Odd Man Out, a ragtag collection of '80s-era rockers who specialize in tunes similar to Torpey's main gig -- rock, pop, and... Less

Liner Note Author: Gail Mitchell. Representative of the transition between late-1970s funk and the smooth R&B that came to dominate '80s pop radio, Frankie Beverly's Maze is rightfully recognized as an important band in the genre. This 2004 compilation brings together 18 of Maze's finest moments, ranging from 1979's bass-popping jam "Workin' Together" to the silky, Quiet Storm vibe of 1993's "The Morning After." In between is more than a decade's worth of accessible soul, including lock-step funk ("Running Away"), slow-pulse love balladry ("Never Let You Down"), and lounge-ready mid-tempo grooves ("We Are One").Leader, songwriter, and singer Frankie Beverly is the focus here, and his smooth-as-butter croon, complete with emotive R&B embellishments, shines throughout. Though influenced by... Less

UK two CD collection from the British Pop quartet fronted by controversial vocalist Boy George As music in the Post-Punk era once again donned its gladrags, no-one epitomized the early '80s ethos more than Culture Club. Catchy Reggae-flavored Pop anthems like 'Do You Really Want To Hurt Me' and 'Karma Chameleon' broke them worldwide and they practically became the face of New Wave music the world over. This collection covers the band's original heyday in the '80s but also features music from their short-lived reunion in the '90s. This collection of singles, key album tracks and rare mixes gives a fresh perspective one of Pop's biggest bands. Music Club Deluxe.