Cool As Ice - Be Music

Just had a message from James Nice at LTM who says the above compilation is now available thru the LTM website.

The mail also mentions that this CD is not being sourced through Darla, so American customers should order it direct from LTM or opalmusic.com

Arrived this morning and listening to it now. Any serious New Order fan should get this really, and if you haven't heard the production work that Barney did in the mid 80s you are in for a real treat. Several tracks on here will send shivers down the spine of any fan of Blue Monday/Perfect Kiss era NO. All sounding loud and splendidly mastered from the original tapes, with informative sleevenotes. Well done James Nice...the man is a genius.

The two 52nd Street tracks are essential listening. The shimmering synth patterns, bubbling basslines and that electronic 'Thwack' so beloved of early New Order are all present and correct. 'Reach for Love' (Marcel King) is heavenly and yes it *is* the Factory No.1 that never was. Paul Haig's 'The Only Truth' sounds like an upgraded Temptation complete with Chic style guitar and a classic NO Big Ending. You *need* S25s "Looking From A Hilltop', especially the stunning "Megamix" contained here and "Beating Heart" which proves that S25 did actually invent Acid House albeit without realising it.

The compilation is fleshed out with productions by Hooky, and Steve & Gillian which don't really match up to Barney's superb tracks. No one really ever needs to hear Nyam Nyam. Pity LTM couldn't have licensed perhaps Barneys mix of Happy Mondays 'Freaky Dancin', ACRs 'Won't Stop Loving You' etc. Anyone else know any other glaring ommisions?

But still, your New Order collection is simply not complete without this strange little archive. Buy it.

Yeah, I echo Bemusic's comments - go and buy this NOW. My copy arrived yesterday - Looking from a Hilltop is an awesome track - a must have for any NO afficionados. LIke wise with Paul Haig - the only truth is a classic track with NOs fingerprints all over it - but sufficiently different so as not to be derivative.- but I am a big Paul Haig fan anyway.

Theme is excellent and sounds good in full digital glory. I will be eagerly awaiting further releases from LTM - waht a great label!

I have to agree w/ all of the above reviews. An absolute great compilation. Having The Only Truth 12" on CD is worth the price alone.

Have just received my copy also, agree with most of what has been said - though I must (out of local loyalty) ask you not to take the piss out of Nyam Nyam - especially as Paul Trynka from said band has provided us with some of the best NO articles in the press over the years, if you pick out some of your magazines you'll see he's either interviewing or an editor of the magazine. I loved the Quando Quango tracks and can't wait to hear Pigs and Battleships again when the CD arrives. Can't decide on the best track - it has to be between 52nd Street (Can't Afford), Paul Haig or Section 25 (Hilltop). The latter would have normally got my vote but they've put the B side mix not the A. Pity Optimism by Life wasn't on but I can't remember who produced.

I have listened to this intensely for the last week. However, i do not like the 52nd Street tracks, they sound to me like piss poor Five Star. Likewise, Quando Quango sound like Haircut 100 on a bad day. Otherwise the compilation is fantastic. Doesn't theme sound very scary? Looking from a hilltop is simply awesome and the marcel King track is sublime - Shaun Ryder is for once correct in that this is the great lost factory No 1. RIP Marcel.

B

Originally posted by Johnny Giles > Originally posted by Al Jarvis > Originally posted by Ricardo> Anyone know who this guy is?

Don't know him, but seen him at gigs. Had a stall up for Biting Tongues recently. Wore a shirt and tie.

I think he's a Lawyer by profession, based up around Naaaridge.

SWR reckons that Marcel Kings' 'Reach For Love' is the best single Factory EVER released! High praise indeed.

Ordered my copy yesterday, hope it comes in time for a w/e blast. All this +ve feedback is wetting me appetite.

Yeah he lives in Dereham, West of Norwich. Some cottage industry he's got there. Spoke with him last year and he kicked Sister Ray's but for me for not sending out my LTM CDs. James deseves his place amongst the greats for his CDs. Reunited me with The Wake's first Peel session. Awesome stuff. James is a solicitor (rude anagram there, can you find it!)

Another great compilation is Black Music again featuring many of the ex Factory bands. James Nice certainly deserves all the accolades for making these rare recordings available. I'd like to see the early A Certain Ratio albums enhanced on CD but I think someone else owns the publishing rights or whatever.

I think the ACR were released on cd for a limited time years' ago but an update would be nice. I agree about the Marcel King song though.

The ACR stuff was re-issued on Creation, I managed to get them a couple of years back - a quick look at the sleeves suggests there was no remastering. The latest compilation ("Early") was released on Soul Jazz (SJR CD60) and should still be available, I think I may have got mine from hmv.co.uk Just type acr in the search box.

I agree with Solitude - It was great hearing The Wake again.