Greg Fenton reviews Heaven Sent: The Rise Of New Pop 1979-1983 – Cherry Red Records
Coined by Paul Morley the term New Pop is not one I cherish sounding a little too contrived, too smooth to taste. Although, as with all these things labels stick with a certain accuracy. Words aside I love a lot of the music found on this latest compilation from Cherry Red for many reasons, quite often related to memory. The list of artists involved includes a wildly diverse selection from M, to The Associates, Fad Gadget, Thomas Leer, to The Teardrop Explodes seminal Tiny Children to Simple Minds to The Slits – Earthbeat featuring the tribal drums of The Pop Group’s Bruce Smith, to Soft Cell’s Bedsitter. So in many ways, the title fits perfectly well.
Disc three feels more typically 80’s with The Jam, ABC and Fashion’s wonderful Streetplayer (Mechanik) all included. The fourth disc opens (almost) with the memorable tones of The World’s Famous Supreme Team introducing – Buffalo Gals, contrasted by The Stranglers more sensual, acoustic brilliance of European Female then ending via the time-molded beauty of The Art Of Noise, Moments In Love. The remainder of the fourth selection sees funky bedfellows sit side by side as Ian Dury, The Kane Gang, and Paul Haig’s irresistible Heaven Sent all do their exciting thing.
Being centered around the past means you can pick and choose what resonates for you across the reach of 1979-1983. Chances are it will not be everything you encounter but the excitement eagerly lies in the discovery. There is a more serious point to be made however about the vibrancy and the speed with which music absorbed and transformed itself, packed full of vibrant influences, and as would appear at times charged with a more fearless approach to art for art’s sake.
Release: July 26
Buy Heaven Sent: The Rise Of New Pop 1979-1983 at Cherry Red Records
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