Nik Kershaw - Human Racing [Re-Issue]

These days, his name might not court quite the same levels of teen-driven adoration that swept him to fame in the mid-eighties, but it's important to not forget that Nik Kershaw's debut album is a real pop gem in its own right. Listening to it in its newly re-issued format, what really strikes out is the quirky individualism of Kershaw himself - at once a proponent of quaintly charming geek-pop on Bogart or purveyor of big-time New Wave arena anthems on the likes of standout Wouldn't It Be Good. The remastering of both the original album and the bonus disc of extended mixes is top-notch, with the bass in particular really purring out beneath the reedy synth melodies. In a record that compares favourably with early a-Ha and Pet Shop Boys as well as Reflex-era Duran Duran, Kersaw's debut is charming as it is inherently 'him', and while for me his peak was subsequent album The Riddle, Human Racing is an esteemed exercise in the art of tightly crafted synth-pop.

Download: Wouldn't It Be Good / Shame On You / Human Racing

The Re-Issued version of Human Racing can be ordered from HMV now.

Deluxe edition round-up! Nik Kershaw and Diana Ross

Don’t you just love a glossy deluxe edition package – your favourite album all re-mastered and glossed-up with a load of extra tracks shoved on to satisfy even the most voracious of hard-core fans/12” mix collectors.

The coming month marks two lovingly curated special editions from the chaps at Universal Music Catalogue: first up, 80s icon Nik Kershaw. Now, we’ve always been a bit partial to his classic track The Riddle, but preceding that there was of course Human Racing, Kershaw’s platinum selling debut LP. Reaching No. 5 in the UK charts back in 1984, it contains those delightful hit singles Wouldn’t It Be Good and I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (try saying that one when you’ve had a few bevies).

Released as a two-disc set, the newly re-mastered version of Human Racing – out on the 27^th February – contains a plethora of b-sides and extended mixes.

Up next is Diana Ross and her self-titled 1976 record. Once again, all put together in a two disc set with more alternate versions than you could fit in a tour bus. What’s more, there’s a 24 page accompanying booklet filled with in depth song annotations and a load of photos. Perfect!

The Diana Ross expanded edition is released on the 5^th March.