Change was an Italian-American Disco/R&B group formed in Bologna, Italy in 1979 by the creative genius of businessman and executive producer Jacques Fred Petrus (1949-1986) and Mauro Malavasi. The band had massive success throughout Europe in the 80's and this double CD contains every major hit from the band as well as those mixes and tracks that are considered essential to the serious collector, including 2 previously unreleased tracks. The digipak also includes a 32 page booklet covering the bands history. The band's debut album, The Glow Of Love, was released in 1980 and featured the million seller "A Lover's Holiday". The follow-up hits from the album, "Searching" and the title song feature lead vocals by the then unknown Luther Vandross. The three songs combined spent 9 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Disco charts, enough to make it the #1 Disco album of the year and a million seller in the U.S. The follow-up album, Miracles, featured the hits "Paradise", "Hold Tight," and "Heaven Of My Life," which, combined, spent 6 weeks at the number one spot in 1981 on Billboard's Disco chart. With the help of up and rising producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis the group re-established itself having their first top ten R&B hit in three years with the title song from their Change Of Heart album in 1984. The following year the band released their final album, Turn On Your Radio, which featured the minor hit "Let's Go Together."
A**Y
'A Great Value But Not Quite Definitive Collection'
'Greatest Hits & Essential Tracks' has a lot going for it - no question about that. Not only do you get a 'Greatest Hits' Cd to enjoy there is a bonus Cd of rare and unreleased material and 12" remixes. Add to this one of the most interesting and worthwhile booklets I have ever found in a dance related release (that comprehensively tells the life story of the band and all whom were a part of it over the years) and you would think I could award nothing but 5 stars for this album, wouldn't you?Well, while I can see an argument for the awarding of 5 stars, but for me this is still not the DEFINITIVE package to provide fans with all of the bands best work. For a start, YET AGAIN the compilers have deliberately chosen to omit all of the groups best ballads. James 'Crabs' Robinson has a voice to rival Luther any day given the right song and on 'Sharing Your Love' - the track he wrote for the bands third album his vocals send a shiver right down your spine! On the album 'Miracles' (the groups second album) there was another 'Crabs' classic in 'Stop To Love' (which incidentally, was a U.K single) but alas AGAIN both of these classic tracks have been omitted when collating the groups best moments! Thus, while this cd is great for sticking on at a party, it is not a great album listen and the truly great tracks like 'The Glow Of Love', The Very Best In You', 'Paradise' and 'A Lovers Holiday' eventually stand out even more from the other songs as the best tracks.Another problem with this collection is that the 'Greatest Hits' cd features edited versions of all (or most) of the songs. This means that while the second cd does include some rare 12" versions and interesting artifacts it does NOT provide fans with the full versions of say 'Searching' or 'Change Of Heart' for example. I can only think that the thinking behind this release is that most people will already have those versions by now, which, I have to concede I already do. In fact, the reason I decided to buy this collection was to obtain the two unreleased songs. Both turn out to be from an unreleased album recorded in 1990 and featuring the lead vocals of Patrick Booth. Both songs are good (and worth owning) but nothing like the quality of the groups earlier classics but then I would say that as, a big fan of 'Crab's (can you tell! HA HA,) I was hoping the songs were from the bands earlier years.The two Change megamixes on the second disc are interesting in a way but hardly essential and in the case of the 'Froggy & Simon Harris Mix' only really serve to highlight how far the art of megamixing has come on these days - the edits being very forced and very starchy in most cases. As for the longer version of 'The Glow Of Love' it is just that - longer and I personally feel they did the right thing in editing it down a bit making it punchier.So, there you have it! A good release and one of great interest to anyone with an interest in Jacques Fred Petrus/ Mauro Malavasi productions but PLEAAASEE can someone compile a best of 'James 'Crabs' Robinson for me!!
R**K
Amazing album
Change were one of the bands around during the late 70's (formed in '79) and into the 80s. I fell in love with their music when they were around. Luther Vandross was on at least two songs that I remember, both captured on this album. The music in itself was, and continues to be an absolute delight.This is a double album and you'll find longer mixes of a few songs, as well as some other delightful music. I recently featured Change in a radio programme - that's how good they are.
H**S
Excellent!
Years ago I throw out a load of cassettes so have spent the last few months searching for replacements. I like this album because it has all my old favourites on it! I listen to this album most weekends! This album certainly met with my expectations.
R**N
Change Greatest Hits
A great collection of Change hits and Remixes, together with some unreleased tracks. Well worth the money, but I'm surprised Warm wasn't included.
J**Y
fantastic
Arrived very quick. Fantastic songs. Brought back the good old 80s
A**Y
Five Stars
reminiscing, reminiscing is what you'll do.
J**.
Five Stars
All the hits
P**K
Five Stars
Great listening, brought back memories.
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