(Feels Like) Heaven 1978- 1985

When punk rock and disco music had a hold of the singles charts in 1978, something more adventurous and new was waiting in the wings that would change the face of popular music – the arrival of the synthesiser.

Up to this point the instrument had been an expensive musical tool. The introduction of cheaper models made the synthesiser available to many – even more established artists were impressed with the new sounds they were able to create.

This four-track CD is a comprehensive collection that demonstrates how the synthesiser changed the sound of the charts – some tracks here have stood the test of time, while many sound much of their time – probably because the artist let the newfound musical tool take over their music as opposed to incorporating it into their compositions.

Gary Numan and Tubeway Army with Are 'Friends' Electric? is probably one of the most defining tracks here of essential synth-pop. When the song reached number one in 1979, the song sounded unlike anything that had gone before. The groundbreaking song mixed David Bowie's coolness with the cold demureness of Gary Numan – though he often said this was a cover to hide his nervousness.

One of the purveyors of the genre was Ultravox, whose song Vienna exemplifies the vibe perfectly, as do The Human League, who are represented here with the quintessential Don’t You Want Me besides an earlier track of theirs, Being Boiled. The lead singer Philip Oakey appears again with Giorgio Moroder on Together In Electric Dreams.

Other groups that were representative of the era were Japan, Howard Jones, Thomas Dolby, The Art of Noise and Spandau Ballet, who are all present here.

The third CD highlights how the dance scene was transformed with the synthesiser coming into being, which can be heard in I.O.U from Freeze, Funkytownn by Lipps Inc and Pop Muzik by M/Robin Scott.

Many of the acts on this extensive compilation are still touring today, which proves the longevity and quality of the tracks here. For anyone wanting to relive the era or to discover some essential tracks from the period, this new compilation is a good reminder of an exciting time in pop music.