Staff Reviews

808 State - 808:90, ex:el, Gorgeous, Don Solaris (reissued)

Review by Noel Gardner

They’re a definitive ‘less is more’ band, 808 State. When they just had some clonky synths and a fresh’n’frightening new batch of records to fuel them, they made flat-out magic a few times. Then they tried to shed their skins, understandably, and got more fiscally solvent, and results varied. You should really know about them, though.»

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Salvo - Union Square Music's collector's label - is delighted to announce four deluxe editions of 808 State's epic contributions to the worlds of electronica and dance music. Each remastered album adds detailed liner notes, expanded and restored artwork and a bonus disc of rare and previously- unreleased tracks compiled by 808 founder Graham Massey (Biting Tongues, Sisters of Transistors, Factory Records).

1989's 808:90 includes the top ten hit Pacific, which launched the band's career, plus eight bonus tracks including special takes from their legendary Manchester G-MEX gig. 1991's ex:el includes the top ten hits Cubik, In Yer Face, Olympic (Theme from The Word) as well as collabs with Bernard Sumner (New Order) and Bjork.

1993's Gorgeous features the band's biggest ever hit - One In Ten (as 808 State Vs. UB40), the Joy Division mash-up Contrique and guest vocals from Ian McCulloch. And 1996's Don Solaris includes the top 20 hit Lopez (feat. James Dean Bradfield and Nicky Wire), guest vocals from Lou Rhodes and a rare Brian Eno remix.