Description

Remastered audio. 2 x LP in gatefold sleeve with new sleeve notes.The Communards seminal debut album is to be reissued on its 35th Anniversary this autumn by London Records.Mixing pop and politics wasnrsquot exactly a revolutionary act in itself in 1985, but no mainstream chart pop act had ever done so with the fervency, purpose and personal passion as The Communards. From the message laid down in songs such as Reprise acidly dedicated to Margaret Hilda Thatcher on release or Breadline Britainrsquos condemnation of life under the Conservative government, right down to their stark, tongue in cheek, Sovietstyled artwork. Even the bandrsquos name was taken from a group of 19th century Parisian revolutionaries.To revisit the duorsquos debut LP today is a wonderful reminder of just how special and transformative pop music can be. Take Disenchantedrsquos melancholic pulse the delicate, moonlit flourishes of La Dolora the clear message in their reading of jazz standard Loverman and of course, the soaring, evergreen rush of their cover of Gamble and Huffrsquos Donrsquot Leave Me This Way number one in the UK for six weeks, the biggest selling single of 1986 and still a song that can send joy pulsing through the veins of generations not even born when the pair first stormed the charts.The CD and digital formats have been expanded to include some rarities, fan favourites and previously unreleased material. These include Donrsquot Leave Me This Way Gotham City mix part two which Coles calls ldquomy favourite thing that Jimmy and I didrdquo and fan favourite Disenchanted dance remixed here by Mike Thorne. Also included is the only radio session the duo ever recorded with Janice Long in October 1985 on which they debuted previously unpublished tracks and the demo version of Summertime, the only recording in existence of this collaboration with Sarah Jane Morris. The Communards Double-LP is available for home delivery from Vinyl Records London, only £25