Following sell-out shows in Leeds and London, Cherry Red presents volume one in a planned series of 80s Classical albums – showcasing iconic voices and songs in breath taking new studio versions performed by the original artists.

Produced by Steve Anderson (Kylie / Steps / Take That), arranged and conducted by Cliff Masterson (Little Mix / Josh Groban / Tom Walker), ‘80s Classical Volume 1’ comprises 13 brand new studio re-workings of the biggest hits of the 80s, plus a bonus remix by synth wave maestro L’Avenue.

The 80s Classical show made its debut in 2019 at the Opera North In The City festival, in Millennium Square, Leeds. Now in its fourth year, having hosted a line-up of appearances from Jimmy Somerville, Belinda Carlisle, Kim Wilde, Heaven 17, Go West, Nick Heyward, Howard Jones, Hue & Cry and John Parr, the brand makes the transition from the stage to the studio for their debut album release.

Featured artists Nik Kershaw, Johnny Hates Jazz and Carol Decker deliver extraordinary symphonic recordings of their classic hits, alongside show favorites from Adetoun Ayoola, Gavin Conder, Cliff Masterson, and a dreamy back-to-the-future L’Avenue / Nik Kershaw remix.

1. Can You Feel It – The Orchestra Of Opera North / Adetoun Ayoola
2. Wouldn’t It Be Good – Nik Kershaw / The Orchestra Of Opera North
3. China In Your Hand – Carol Decker / The Orchestra Of Opera North
4. Shattered Dreams – Johnny Hates Jazz / The Orchestra Of Opera North
5. Africa – The Orchestra Of Opera North / Gavin Conder
6. I Don’t Want To Be A Hero – Johnny Hates Jazz / The Orchestra Of Opera North
7. Human Racing – Nik Kershaw / The Orchestra Of Opera North
8. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) – The Orchestra Of Opera North / Adetoun Ayoola
9. The Riddle – Nik Kershaw / The Orchestra Of Opera North
10. Heart And Soul – Carol Decker / The Orchestra Of Opera North
11. Turn Back The Clock – Johnny Hates Jazz / The Orchestra Of Opera North
12. St. Elmo’s Fire – The Orchestra Of Opera North / Cliff Masterson
13. I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – Nik Kershaw / The Orchestra Of Opera North
14. Wouldn’t It Be Good (L’Avenue Remix) Nik Kershaw / The Orchestra Of Opera North / L’Avenue

The very first in a series of classical interpretations of 80s music, and featuring Nik Kershaw, Johnny Hates Jazz and Carol Decker with the 50-piece symphony Orchestra Of Opera North, the album opens on the stirring Can You Feel It (The Jacksons) by The Orchestra Of Opera North / Adetoun Ayoola and then we get one of my long time favorites, a simply breathtaking, veritably crystalline Wouldn’t It Be Good (Nik Kershaw), a delightful China In Your Hand (Carol Decker of T’Pau), and then comes the free flowing Shattered Dreams (Johnny Hates Jazz), before we revert back to The Orchestra Of Opera North with Gavin Conder on Toto’s Africa, and then another one from both Johnny Hates Jazz, the poppy I Don’t Want To Be A Hero and the always on top form Nik Kershaw, and his signature Human Racing (albeit this version toned down, stoic even, as it drifts around your ears).

Along next on this dutifully impassioned new recording is a most wondrously mysterious build up that suddenly bursts into life as Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by The Orchestra Of Opera North with Adetoun Ayoola, and then comes Nik’s rhythmically melodic The Riddle, a rather soothing Heart And Soul (Carol Decker), the melodically charming, sweeping even Turn Back The Clock by Johnny Hates Jazz, before the recording rounds out on a soaring rendition of John Parr’s St. Elmo’s Fire (with Cliff Masterson), a bright, bubbly and bouncy, synth-tastic I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (Nik Kershaw), coming to a close on a L’Avenue Remix of Kershaw’s Wouldn’t It Be Good.

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