VARIOUS ARTISTS "Dreams Come True - Classic First Wave Electro 1982-87" (Domino) six / ten

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Compiler Jon Savage and myself must have different opinions as to what constitutes "early electro", because all the female vocals and camp panache point distinctively more towards house than electro. Put it this way, if your older brother walked into the room when you were playing some of these tracks, he'd probably punch you and tell you to quit being a girl.

The electro on offer here is more big blazers and ties with piano keys than Fila tracksuits and Kangols. There's no Bambaataa, Newcleus or Egyptian Lover in sight - instead we're served up a selection of early '80s dancefloor tracks that adopt a pop sensibility rather than exploring the harder sounds of an era when the 808 drum machine ruled supreme. We're talking congas, midi snares and mountains of synthesizers.

Lyrical content generally revolves around living for the weekend, dancing all night long - that kind of '80s nonsense - which is all well and good, but after 11 tracks of being told how hot the nightclub is tonight, I'd be more inclined to just stay at home and drink cans.

It's 50/50 in terms of good versus bad - although when it's good, it's bloody epic. Debbie Deb's 'When I Hear The Music' should have any right-minded person attempting to pop n' lock in the confines of their kitchen, with it's throbbing bass and sincere vocoders. Those old enough to recognise Yazoo as a band with some killer chart-topping singles instead of a banana-flavoured drink that tastes like gack will appreciate the inclusion of the influential 'Situation' on here too.

Not a bad compilation, but I kept expecting the Pet Shop Boys to jump in somewhere Ð and that, my friend, IS a bad thing.

Johnny Doobs

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