ZTT – New Collectors Editions and Compilations!
A Secret Wish
ZTT. One of my favourite record labels, owned and run by my favourite record producer, Trevor Horn.
Nowhere near as popular or influential as they were, but still home to an eclectic bunch of artists. However, one of it’s strengths is it’s back catalogue and under the guidance of curator Ian Peel, the Element series of re-releases continues unhindered and unabated!
Coming out on July 19th 2010 (conveniently 10 days before my birthday!) are two exciting releases. Firstly, we have the 25th anniversary re-release of Propaganda‘s “A Secret Wish“. Often overlooked at the time, it spawned some awesome tunes and influenced many. Sadly for Propaganda, a Teutonic quartet based in London, Frankie Goes To Hollywood were blowing everything else out of the water, including Propaganda, their own label mates. But the upshot was that the things learned with the production of “Welcome To The Pleasuredome” (also recently re-released as a collectors edition) were taken and refined and used in “A Secret Wish”, with Trevor Horn stepping back as an Executive Producer and allowing Steve Lipson to produce this masterpiece of art pop.
I have the rare SACD version of this album in glorious digital 5.1 and it still blows you away today, but this double disc edition with remixes, b-sides and rarities is a worthwhile addition to anyone’s collection.
Influence
Also on the same day, we will witness the first, and probably best, all round Art Of Noise collection. Usually, you have to settle for a collection centred around particular incarnations of this art pop collective, but the release of the aptly named “Influence” sees all era’s of AON united under one album sleeve. From early works to the slightly embarrassing late 80′s period and back to the “almost” original line up in the 90′s and 00′s, this 2 disc collection features some of the finest, most pretentious pop you will ever have the pleasure of hearing.
With both sets only costing £7.99 each, you have no excuse!!
DJ Premier releases mix tribute to Malcolm McLaren
Brought to my attention by now defunct Music Thing blogger & Assistant Editor of The Times, Tom Whitwell, here is an excellent tribute by DJ Premier to the life and influence of Malcolm McLaren.
Available as a stream and download via the unofficial DJ Premier Blog site HERE, this mix features Malcolm, The Sex Pistols, Bow Wow Wow, Art Of Noise, Yes & The World Famous Supreme Team.
Bizarrely, I created a Spotify playlist that also used the interview segments that DJ Premier uses to segue his mix. Grab the playlist HERE.
Lap this up, homies! 
One November Monday…
This lucky bastard (Kevin Foakes, no offence intended!) got to delve into the “ZTT Cupboard”, a cupboard full of priceless gems!!
A fascinating article with many lovely, breathtaking photos!
Art Of Noise to return?
This cryptic post recently appeared on the ZTT website…
As stated in Zang Tuum Tumbometer #7, the Art of Noise will return, for at least one of the following reasons:
1. A new art of noise album needs to be heard at least every decade
2. Cheryl Cole blends perfectly with Art of Noise-on-ice
3. What the world, needs now, is moments in love
4. The Krypton Factor theme needs to be poured into the same test tube as Beat Box, just to see if it explodes
5. Titles ready for consumption include Dainty, Beep Beep, I’m A Stranger Here Myself and The Interrupted Serenade
5. The Buggles played a blinding support act with Adventures… 2.0
6. Creme, Dudley, Horn, Jeczalik, Langan, Morley are happy to participate in their own particular ways
7. The last great Art of Noise hit single, 2000′s Something Is Missing, was never released. And this needs to be rectified.
8. The final notes of the Anne & JJ era, 1986′s Outer Heat Suite have finally been unearthed, dusted off, formulated and controlled…
9. …as has Art of Noise’s unreleased album from 1997, Balance – Music for the Eye
10. Vocal narration is being compiled and recorded by, among others, John Hurt, Trevor Horn, Anne Dudley, and Camilla Pilkington. It’s becoming visible!
Interesting! 
