March 19, 2017

Compilation Album Review: "100% Hits '92/Volume 3"

 

Compilation: 100% Hits '92 Volume 3
Released: 1992 – EMI
Number of tracks: 18
Number one singles: 3 – "Let's Talk About Sex" by Salt N' Pepa, "Saltwater" by Julian Lennon, "Love You Right" by Euphoria
Other top ten singles: 3
Best track: "Love you Right" by Euphoria
Hidden gem: "Pandora's Box" by O.M.D.

Confusing title out of the way first: coming out at the tail end of 1992, this is 100% Hits '92, but it's also the 3rd volume of the series, so it's also 100% Hits Volume 3, so by your powers combined, I am Captain Planet! Er, I mean, 100% Hits '92 Volume 3. Got it now? No? Tough.

With the above mentioned three number ones – a safe-sex rap, an environmentally-aware ballad and an unexpected Australian dance track – there's some strong chart performers on here alongside some lesser-known, but still great, dance tracks of the day. I really like "Peace" by Sabrina Johnston, and I wish it had made the top 20. "Do Anything" by Natural Selection also didn't get anywhere near the top but is still good fun. 

There's some feel-good stuff here in UB40's "Kingston Town" and Ce Ce Peniston's "Finally", and the Spandau Ballet-sampling "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss" by PM Dawn is also good despite those guys being notorious sad-sack wussbags. Marky Mark's follow-up to "Good Vibrations", a Lou Reed-sampling rap, "Wildside" is also not bad, if only for use of the term "gang bangers". "Lovesick" by Gang Starr closes out the set, though I'm not sure why as it also appeared on the previous volume. Something of an oversight on the part of the compilers it would seem.

Rating: 6/10

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