Various Artists

A special summer album for August Day Records, as they celebrate its 100th release with ‘Orchestral Eighties’. Marking this significant milestone in the label's journey into the pop-classical crossover genre, ‘Orchestral Eighties’ is comprised of 14 pop tracks from the genre-defining 80’s and, you’ve guessed it, all are accompanied by an orchestra!

These orchestral renditions of classic songs herald from Grammy winners to cult classics. The album opens with the instantly recognisable 1981 hit ‘Jessie’s Girl’ by Rick Springfield. Keeping the original version intact, we are only given a subtle hit of strings on this rendition. In comparison to 1982’s ‘I Ran’ by A Flock of Seagulls, where we find the intro is completely reworked into something altogether magical and urgent. There is a gripping tension that’s altogether fresh and exciting.

Wang Chung’s ‘Dance Hall Days’ (1982) loses the track’s guitar melodies entirely, as it starts and stays impressively exuberant and triumphant until it fades out at the end. We hear synth mix with strings on the dramatic Cutting Crew’s ‘(I Just) Died In Your Arms’ (1986) and, even more strings are unleashed, after Kevin MacMichael’s guitar solo! We enter an altogether darker realm on Visage’s ‘Fade to Grey’ (1980) giving the track a bolder and majestic sound.

The acclaimed ‘Take My Breath Away’ by Berlin, as used for 1986’s Top Gun soundtrack, sounded serenely subdued and understated. Swirling strings kick off 1982’s ‘Sign Of The Times’ by The Belle Stars, which clings to its original whimsy style, only to be subtly touched extremely minimally with orchestral wonder. Up next, we have Hollywood Beyond, with their cult classic ‘What's The Colour Of Money?’ (1986), which is much more stirring and dynamic than the original version.

The same can be said of 1987's ‘Down To Earth’ from Curiosity Killed The Cat, as one of their biggest hits feels even more heartfelt and velvety than we remember! Bubbly and boisterous, Westworld’s ‘Sonic Boom Boy’ (1987) is a classical-rockabilly cacophony racing with energy impressing a country fiddler vibe upon us. Taking us into smoother and softer territory, 1988’s ‘The Promise’ sees Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann of UK band When In Rome, provide us with a soaring version of their debut single.

Curiously,‘Young Hearts Run Free’ by the legendary Candi Staton is included on an album of 80s treasures. Saying that, the 1976 disco favourite doesn’t feel out of place on the album at all and simply serves as another reason to get us in a dancing mood! The penultimate song, Belouis Some's ‘Imagination’ (1985), is lifted to sublime levels and keeps a party atmosphere going. The album reaches lofty heights and manages to glide to end with Benny Mardones' last recorded work of his 1980 success ‘Into The Night’, which he re-sung for this compilation.

The album highlights the enduring legacy of eighties music. It’s a celebration and reimagining of classics giving us a reason to re-appreciate these tracks and provide them with a fresh lease of life. Singles have been dropping once a week, starting from 31st May to 23rd August 2024. These include album tracks, as well as bonus singles to rediscover old favourites in a whole new light.

With an international release date of 19th July 2024, the album dropped in the UK on 21st June 2024 and is available to buy physically and digitally.

Tracklist:

1. Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl
2. A Flock Of Seagulls - I Ran (So Far Away)
3. Wang Chung - Dance Hall Days
4. Cutting Crew - (I Just) Died In Your Arms
5. Visage - Fade To Grey
6. Berlin - Take My Breath Away
7. The Belle Stars - Sign Of The Times
8. Hollywood Beyond - What's The Colour Of Money
9. Curiosity Killed The Cat - Down To Earth
10. Westworld - Sonic Boom Boy
11. Farrington And Mann - The Promise
12. Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free*
13. Belouis Some - Imagination
14. Benny Mardones - Into The Night

*Main version, not orchestral.