Compilation Album Review: "Beat The Heat"

Compilation: Beat The Heat
Released: 1990 –Warner Music
Number of tracks: 17
Number one singles: 1 — "Groove Is In The Heart" by Deee-Lite
Other top ten singles: 6
Best track: "Groove Is In The Heart" by Deee-Lite
Hidden gem: None, guv'!

Here we have the third addition to my little compilation collection from the early '90s. Beat The Heat – so named because it came out at the end of 1990 during the summer. These are all songs from the tail-end of my last year of primary school, most of which I had taped off Rage onto an audio cassette using a weird audio output cable connected to my family's fake-wood panelled Mitsubishi TV, probably with a glass of Koola Lime cordial within easy reach.

Two of the biggest names in Oz Rok™ at the time are on here – INXS, coming back for the first time since all that Kick bizzo with "Suicide Blonde", and John Farnham, coming back for the first time with "Chain Reaction" since all that Whispering Jack bizzo. One was a raucous harmonica-infused track about some woman and the other was a more understated acoustic-rock outing. You can figure out which is which. What, I look like the frig'n Wikipedia to you??

Deee-Lite are easily the best of the bunch, but there was a rapper straight outta the UK with her first solo single "Doin' The Do". Betty Boo didn't have the longevity as some might have hoped but actually she was a force to be reckoned with with this one. Still a guilty pleasure after all these years, as is Snap!'s massive second single "Ooops Up", chart peak number 4, still an absolute smash. Another essential inclusion is Technotronic's "Megamix", still the best of the megamixes put out during this period (Snap!, Paula Abdul, Bobby Brown, Black Box and a couple of others). It was definitely the best performer chart-wise (number 13).

For those people who like their music thoughtful, introspective with a dash of melancholy, and powerful yet understated, there's "Cherry Pie" by Warrant. Tawdry rubbish, or fratboy party anthem? Hey, can't it be both?

Doctors recommend your eardrums must only be subjected to one song by Taylor Dayne. I'd choose the one that's on here, my favourite song by her, "I'll Be Your Shelter". The singles reviewer at Smash Hits at the time hated it, I have no idea why. And speaking of said pop mag, you not only get New Kids On The Block to finish with, but that godawful duet between Donnie Wahlberg and Seiko! And it's before "Megamix" in the tracklisting! A point off for that!

Rating: 6/10