London Records release Fine Young Cannibals' FYC40, featuring global hits, rarities and new remixes. In 1985 Fine Young Cannibals unleashed their debut single ‘Johnny Come Home’ and their self-titled album, showcasing a fully-formed act with a sharp, soulful sound and potent songs. But it was 1989’s The Raw & The Cooked that propelled them onto the global stage, becoming their defining masterpiece. Powered by hits like ‘She Drives Me Crazy’, ‘Good Thing’ and their inspired take on the Buzzcocks’ ‘Ever Fallen In Love’. They bowed out in 1996 with the elegiac final single ‘The Flame’...

FYC40 features Fine Young Cannibals' greatest hits along with rare and unreleased material. It also delivers remixes by a who’s who of dance and hip hop culture including Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B, De La Soul’s Prince Paul, Norman Cook, Arthur Baker, Roger Sanchez, Mousse T and Faithless, alongside brand-new remixes from the likes of Flight Facilities, The Reflex, DJ Q and previously unheard promotional remixes from the likes of Frankie Knuckles and Juan Atkins.

The album collects together 30 songs (2 hr, 20 min, 18 sec). If, like me, you grew up listening to Fine Young Cannibals, then this release will bring back a wave of nostalgia. It's good to hear that these songs stand the test of time. The production values where not something I was overly interested in back in the '80s, but it's impressive to discover how well polished everything is.

The remixes included here are all noteworthy. They really do take the original songs and deliver something new and fresh. Nowhere is this more obvious than with on the stripped back 'I'm Not the Man I Used to Be - Cook II Soul Mix'.

This is will make a wonderful addition to your '80s collection.

8

Nick Smithson