The Platinum Collection [CD]

Fantastic to finally see the original recordings of the much underrated Modern Romance make it to CD. Congratulations to Alan Connor and all those involved in making the project happen. The early Mod Rom were funky and funny in equal measure - Geoff Deane couldn't really sing as such but his proto-rapping was great, particularly on the awesome Queen Of The Rapping Scene - delightfully included here in all its 12" glory.

For the record it would have been great to have the 7" version of Queen Of The Rapping Scene as well and the 12" Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey/Moose On The Loose floorfiller.

Oh, and where's Geoff Deane on the album cover???? Docked 1 star...

I was aged 9 in early 1983, when, with a voucher I had received for Xmas, I bought the partial compilation vinyl LP , Modern Romance "Party Tonight" from Woolies. I bought Tizer sweets out of the Pick n Nick to make up the difference. It being a voucher, I could not have any change:-). I found said LP today in my Mum's cupboard. Smooth. well-kept vinyl, a testimony to how well I looked after these 12 inch treasures, in a sleeve deliberately as white as Michael Mullins' flying suit ( down girl!) on TOTP. "Ronco- As Seen on TV" heheheheh.

In my teens and 20s, it was easy for me to dismiss M.R. as pop tinsel for nice wee children like me who did their homework and watched Crackerjack or for gits attending yuppie yacht parties. Tellingly, when I was surviving later adulthood rigours, and I still had a record player, Party Tonight would often get taken for a "mischievous" spin after one too many brandies and Nesquick. "In vino veritas" as the Romans might say. I started listening to this stuff again about a fortnight ago quite accidentally (yes it was always a "recent accident" when you listened to M.R .again) after a chance remark (there I go again) on Facetube. To my now 38 year old ears, it all seemed..well.... brilliant and erm very skilled and erm wasn't David Jaymes' bass on Don't Stop That Crazy Rythmn to die for? There was no other trumpeter as brilliant as John Du Prez and well, what a voice that was that came from the amiably relaxed dark eyed adonis that was Michael (now Mick) Mullins. The album fairly showcases the volcanic presence of original lead vocalist Geoff Deane in an approximate chronological order. All the edgy gusto of a senior holiday rep looking for a big break. It reminded me of the debate with my big sister (in law) who maintained Geoff was better than Michael. I was always with Mullins , the soft cafe creme voice and well.. the white jeans and the white t-shirt.

It is great that Good Friday is on here. I thought that I was the only kid in Scotland who knew this song. Why was it not a hit? Was it a casualty of fickle Radio 1 playlists, I wonder?

My few disappointments include that I will need to buy a record player and a stylus to listen to their cover of Billie Holliday's " Love Letters" on Party Tonight and I will need to trawl ebay to track down the "just Mick and a piano" version of Walking in the Rain which was the B-side to the original single and is described as outstanding by a reliable Youtuber. Walking In the Rain was their finest moment and it deserved to be hailed as an 80s classic as much as "True" was for Spandau Ballet. I will end with a plea from the heart. Please will someone re-form the proper real band, with Mick the Jaymeses, Geoff Deane etc. Anything else just ain't cricket. Just think Mick, when you sing Walking In the Rain you would have the audience at the Pyramid stage at Glasto in the palm of your hand. The clouds would turn the colour of the album sleeve and we could accept how much we love da 'Romance and acquaint ourselves with the belief that no pleasures should be guilty ones. Let it rain pink champagne and I will bring the Tizer sweets. ColdCoffeeEyes xxxx. PS. it is good to see that the album costs about the same as Party Tonight did in 1983:D

Finally the greatest period of Dollar is available on CD and at an unbelievable price! Why aren't all CDs priced like this?? Dollar's 80s hits are amazing and quite why they weren't available before now is a little bewildering. Die hards would have liked the entire albums remastered but this is as good as it gets for now. Absolutely essential.