In 1985, NOW Music released ‘NOW Dance: The 12” Mixes’, a 20-track compilation that included the extended or remix versions of some of the biggest recent hits and popular club tracks. This was followed a year later by a second 20-track volume, and in 1989, a third…

NOW Music proudly present ‘NOW Dance – The 80s’; a selection of 48 tracks that appeared on those three original ‘NOW Dance’ albums - all in their 12”, extended or remixed versions.

From the first (1985) ‘NOW Dance’ release – Philip Bailey & Phil Collins’ #1 smash ‘Easy Lover’ kicks off the album, with The Power Station, Eurythmics, Stephen Tin Tin Duffy, and Belouis Some following. Less compiled cuts from Eddy And The Soulband & Mahogany, Lillo Thomas, and T.C. Curtis are up next, along with huge chart & club hits from Loose Ends, Cool Notes, Jermaine Jackson, and the #1 ‘Move Closer’ from Phyllis Nelson. Two 80s classics from Ashford & Simpson (‘Solid’) and DeBarge (‘Rhythm Of The Night’) feature, before making way for a stellar line-up from the next ‘NOW Dance’ - from 1986.

Massive club and Dance tracks that crossed over to become equally big chart hits from 1986 include ‘Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent’ from Gwen Guthrie, ‘(You Are My) All And All’ from Joyce Sims , and ‘Mine All Mine’ from Ca$hflow, plus floor-fillers from Aretha Franklin, Midnight Star, Timex Social Club, Grace Jones, and Jaki Graham, and slick Dance-Pop from Five Star – with our second disc finishing on another #1, ‘I Want To Wake Up With You’ from Boris Gardiner. Our third disc continues the run of 1986 Dance gold opening with the year’s biggest hit, the #1 ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ from The Communards with Sarah Jane Morris, alongside the hottest dancefloor hits from Jermaine Stewart, Bronski Beat, Sinitta, Phil Fearon & Galaxy, Paul Hardcastle, a remixed Disco favourite from Tavares, and ‘Holiday Rap’ - a huge summer hit from MC Miker G. & DJ Sven saluting a classic.

Fine Young Cannibals open the run of tracks from 1989’s third volume of ‘NOW Dance: The 12” Mixes’, with Double Trouble feat. Rebel MC, Tone-Loc, and the classic Soul of ‘Joy And Pain’ from Maze & Frankie Beverly completing our third disc… which leaves 12 slices of 1989’s dancefloor magic for our final disc. The peerless ‘Buffalo Stance’ from Neneh Cherry starts the run that also features Bobby Brown, Inner City, Cookie Crew, The Beatmasters, and D-Mob feat. LRS & DC Sarome. ‘Straight Up’ from Paula Abdul was huge in both the UK and the US, and further smashes from Yazz, Coldcut feat. Lisa Stansfield, Kym Mazelle, and Adeva & Paul Simpson keep the energy up, before we close with the timeless ‘Keep On Movin’’ from Soul II Soul, featuring the sublime vocals of Caron Wheeler.

Celebrating the 80s dance floor, and celebrating NOW’s legacy - NOW Dance – The 80s; 48 12” and extended versions on 4 CDs.