In Vogue is probably the most intriguing of the Ariola Hansa-era Japan compilations. As with many of the collections in the Camden Originals series, In Vogue offers a track selection that neatly balances the obvious choices with some not-so-obvious ones and a smattering of hard-to-find versions of a few tracks.

In this case, the obvious choices include "I second that emotion", "Suburban Berlin", "Quiet Life", and "Adolescent sex" (all included on Assemblage); the less obvious choices include "Lovers on main street", "Transmission", "Alien", "Love is infections", and "In vogue"; and the hard-to-find versions consist of 12-inch mixes of "All tomorrow's parties", "European son", and "Life in Tokyo" that are otherwise only available (mastered from vinyl) on Japanese imports.

However, BMG have managed to make a crucial error in the production of this compilation: Only half of the stereo mixes are reproduced. Yes, this otherwise wonderful collection was mastered in glorious mono, with one side of the two-track mix spread across both channels.

On first listen, this anomaly may not be immediately apparent. It wasn't to me, anyway. On further listening, subtle "differences" reveal themselves, and an A-B comparison with the tracks on the original albums clarifies the matter, as elements that move across the stereo spectrum from left to right on the originals mysteriously disappear on the In Vogue version.

This oddity is still something of a bargain, as it remains the only place that the aforementioned 12-inch mixes are available on CD without having been mastered from vinyl. If BMG were to reissue this compilation in proper stereo, it'd be almost perfect.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not the usual cheap buck thing....., 10 Jul 2002

By A Customer

A compilation of Japan stuff that must have been actually put together by someone that knew about the band. Doesn't just focus on the more known songs, but gives us tracks like 'The Unconventional' and 'Love Is Infectious' too. This compilation draws on the first two Japan albums (Adolescent Sex & Obscure Alternatives) with a couple of twelve-inchers thrown in.
A million miles away from where David Sylvian is today, but, still relevant and still brilliantly enjoyable.

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