Until this 2014 set from Mute,
Cabaret Voltaire's periods with Rough Trade (1978-1982) and Some Bizzare/Virgin (1983-1985) were anthologized separately, as presented on The Original Sound of Sheffield '78/'82 and The Original Sound of Sheffield '83/'87. These discs also drew a greater distinction between
CV's output with and without founding member
Chris Watson, who departed after the final Rough Trade release, 1982's
2X45. Compiled by the group's
Richard H. Kirk, this squeezes 19 of
CV's finest 1978-1985 moments on one disc and also provides a service to more serious fans by including 7" versions of several Some Bizzare-era singles. (The 1983/1987 disc used the 12" versions.) Smart selections make this the best and handiest introduction to a group crucial to the development of industrial, post-punk, and dance music, from the confrontational screamer "Nag Nag Nag" to the more accessible and no less brilliant electro cut-up "Sensoria." There's much more to explore through the EPs and albums, recirculated through an extensive reissue campaign overseen by
Kirk. Additionally, the one-offs for Factory and Crépuscule aren't represented here. The booklet, featuring essays from
Kirk and the Mute label's Daniel Miller, is an extra enticement. ~ Andy Kellman