Over the past twenty years Future Islands have travelled a rare arc, from promising newcomers to best-kept secret, from cult favourites to heroes of the genre. As they reach this remarkable milestone, they resist the obvious move. Instead of a ‘best-of’ compilation victory lap, Future Islands present From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth - an immediate and accessible collection – half of which has never appeared on streaming services – comprising alternate hits, rarities, and fan favourites that showcase the band’s palette and bring further colour to their uniquely universal appeal.

100 Hits 80s Dance is an extensive five-disc collection celebrating the vibrant club culture, chart-topping dance anthems, and unforgettable crossover hits that defined the 1980s. Released by DMG in 2009, this massive compilation gathers an impressive lineup of artists spanning synth-pop, disco, funk, electro, freestyle, early hip hop, and classic house music. Featuring iconic names such as The Jacksons, Gloria Estefan, Rick Astley, Earth, Wind & Fire, Luther Vandross, Run DMC, and Joe Smooth, the set captures the diverse energy of a decade driven by dancefloor innovation and radio-friendly pop production. Across five discs, listeners are treated to a nonstop selection of club classics, soulful grooves, and electronic dance pioneers that shaped modern dance music culture. The compilation balances mainstream crossover hits with influential underground house and hip hop tracks, offering a detailed overview of the era’s evolving sound. Packed with nostalgic melodies, infectious rhythms, and timeless party anthems, 100 Hits 80s Dance stands as an essential retrospective for fans of classic 1980s dance music and old-school club culture.

Featuring new drummer Mark Brzezicki (formerly of Big Country), the prosaically titled U-Vox offered more of the same from these by-now-redundant synth stylists. The one exception was the single "All Fall Down," a slightly more imaginative variant on the formula. (The other two singles drawn from the album, "Same Old Story" and "All in One Day," were shallow echoes of the band's earlier releases.) "All Fall Down" was to prove their final chart entry.

It wasn't surprising that the Buggles' second release, Adventures in Modern Recording, didn't meet the expectations that 1980's internationally successful The Age of Plastic set. Both Horn and Downes had been working on several outside projects, including Yes' 1980 release Drama, which severely limited their time, and for the most part, Adventures was a Trevor Horn solo project; Geoff Downes only appears on three tracks. However, many of the criticisms leveled against this outing were unfounded and there is still much to like; several songs, such as the infectious title track, equal The Age of Plastic. Both "Adventures in Modern Recording" and "Inner City," with its lush arrangement and engrossing melody, show off Horn's remarkable production savvy…

Initially the title must have sounded like an incredibly pretentious boast, except that Depeche Mode then went on to do a monstrous world tour, score even more hits in America and elsewhere than ever before, and pick up a large number of name checks from emerging house and techno artists on top of all that. As for the music the masses got this time around, the opening cut, "Never Let Me Down Again," started things off wonderfully: a compressed guitar riff suddenly slamming into a huge-sounding percussion/keyboard/piano combination, anchored to a constantly repeated melodic hook, ever-building synth/orchestral parts at the song's end, and one of David Gahan's best vocals (though admittedly singing one of Martin Gore's more pedestrian lyrics). It feels huge throughout, like they taped Depeche recording at the world's largest arena show instead of in a studio.

With 1978's Systems of Romance, Ultravox left punk behind and single-handedly blueprinted the entire new romantic movement to come - well, with a little help from co-producers Conny Planck and Dave Hutchins. Gone was the brittleness of Ha!-Ha!-Ha!, replaced by a rich lushness of sound that would define the forthcoming genre. Shifting from the political to the interpersonal, gone too was the overwhelming sense of looming Armageddon, replaced by more generalized (and mundane) feelings of alienation, "Dislocation," and unease. "Quiet Men" is a Lowry painting brought to life, the chorus of "Slow Motion" a swaying field painted by Renoir, "I Can't Stay Long" a Degas ballet, while "Maximum Acceleration" is as lavish in sound as Botticelli was with paint…

Three CD set. Following 2021's Musik Music Musique 2. 0 set, the third volume in the series looks at the electronic pop scene as it came to dominate the airwaves. A period which saw the 1980's credible musical landscape evolve from gritty post-punk to shamelessly aspirational polished pop. Featuring countless artists who would become household names (many of which remain active today) alongside lesser-known scene mainstays, independent innovators and novelty opportunists, Musik Music Musique 3. 0 explores the evolution of synth pop from anything resembling a 'scene' into the standard musical form of the day, soon to be embraced by everybody from power balladeers to quasi-rock stadium acts. From chart staples and nightclub anthems to rarities, curios and collectables, this set gives equal airtime to all, basking in the breadth of ideas and innovation being explored as the musical world moved towards the mid-80s.

Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a new re-mastered compilation of the best of musician / producer Rupert Hine’s albums released under the guise of Thinkman. Following three highly innovative albums as a solo artist, Rupert Hine’s profile as producer of such artists as Howard Jones, Tina Turner et al saw him return to the area of making records as a solo artist under the name of Thinkman. The debut album under this name, “The Formula” was issued in 1985 and was a conceptual work. This was followed in 1988 by the album “Life is a Full-Time Occupation” and in 1990 by “Hard Hat Zone”. All three albums were innovative and imaginative and the music retains a loyal following three decades on. “Fighting Apathy With Shock” has been compiled by Rupert Hine who has personally selected his favourite material from the three albums he recorded as Thinkman. The tracks have been newly re-mastered by Stephen W Tayler.

Italo Disco - The Lost Legends Vol. 34 is part of the long-running archival compilation series dedicated to rediscovering obscure and cult favorites from the golden era of Italo-Disco. Released in 2020, the collection gathers rare dancefloor tracks characterized by analog synthesizers, melodic hooks, dramatic vocals, and energetic electronic rhythms that defined the European club scene of the 1980s. Featuring artists from both well-known and underground corners of the genre, the compilation captures the nostalgic atmosphere and melodic charm that continue to make Italo-Disco influential among collectors, DJs, and retro electronic music fans.

The Best Of Gina T.: I Love To Love You is a polished early 90s compilation highlighting the catchy dance-pop and Europop style that made Gina T. a recognizable name in continental club music. Released in 1992, the collection gathers many of her best-known recordings, combining sleek electronic production, melodic hooks, and romantic themes with the glossy energy of late 80s and early 90s Euro-disco. Gina T.’s distinctive vocal style gives the songs personality and charm, while synthesizers, drum programming, and upbeat arrangements keep the momentum strong throughout. Popular tracks such as In My Fantasy, Tokyo By Night, and the title song reflect the era’s crossover appeal between radio pop and dancefloor sounds. This compilation serves as an accessible introduction to her catalog and a nostalgic listen for fans of classic European dance music from a colorful and melodic period.

Love And Dancing is a landmark remix and instrumental project connected to The Human League universe, credited to The League Unlimited Orchestra and originally released in 1981, with later editions appearing in 1984. Produced during the early rise of synthpop, the album reimagines key Human League songs through extended electronic arrangements, dub-inspired studio techniques, and dancefloor-focused structures. Instead of straightforward vocal pop versions, these tracks emphasize rhythm machines, analog synthesizers, layered textures, and spacious production, creating an innovative bridge between new wave, disco, and early electronic dance music. The result is both futuristic and highly influential, anticipating later remix culture and club-oriented reinterpretations. Tracks such as Don't You Want Me and Love Action gain a new dimension through instrumental focus and rhythmic expansion. Love And Dancing remains an essential release for fans of classic synth-driven music and a pioneering statement in pop reconstruction.