INTRODUCING

Talk Talk's reputation as a singles focused band is immensely unfair in the same way as Supertramp are derided for having found success in that market. The truth is that while their record company was keen to encourage the band to come up with songs like "Life's what you make it" and "It's my life", the band were intent on following an altogether more considered direction. Centred around the distinctive vocals of the multi instrumentalist Mark Hollis and the keyboard skills of Tim Friese-Greene, the band's albums contain many unique and wonderful colours.

Whereas other Talk Talk compilations tend to focus on the hit singles and other similarly commercial tracks, "Introducing.. Talk Talk" is a far better barometer of their output during their rapid creative development from 1982 to 1988. Here there are no singles, indeed virtually all the tracks run for well over 5 minutes. Each of the four albums recorded during the period is represented by two tracks, with four further rare tracks from the period also being included. Those four tracks all previously appeared on the 2000 compilation "Asides Besides".

The tracks appear in their correct order, beginning with "Have you heard the news" and "Candy" from "The party's over". The recording of this album was not undertaken as live in the studio project by any means, producer Colin Thurston having each band member record their contribution separately. The results are palatable enough, with the sophisticated pop feel of 10CC and ROXY MUSIC.

"Renée" and "Tomorrow started" are fine representations from "It's my life", the latter featuring some nice jazz trumpet by Henry Lowther, but it is the "Piano version" of "Call in the night boy" which really catches the ear. This version is somewhat different to the original album track, with a particularly strong vocal performance from Hollis over sparse backing.

"Happiness is easy" and "April 5th" are both melancholy tracks which convey the general atmosphere of "The colour of spring" well. The former features Steve Winwood on Hammond Organ, and some unnecessary children's vocals. To accompany these two songs, "For what it's worth", a non album B side from the same recording sessions has some pleasant wandering synth. Also included is a further non album B side (of "Life's what you make it") "It's getting late in the evening". This is one of the best tracks on this compilation, with charming layers of synth and effective developing organ sounds.

The final album to contribute to this collection "Spirit of Eden" finds the band delving ever deeper into their own world (to the consternation of their record label!). "Desire", the longest track on this compilation moves from almost ambient swathes, to Porcupine Tree like blasts of loud rock. The effect is quite alluring but it is easy to see why the band were accused of "commercial suicide". "I believe in you" was released in edited format as a single, but the emotional vocals and the drug related subject matter instantly made it far too considered for the singles chart. In an act of pure inspiration, the Chelmsford Cathedral Choir add a further dimension to the vocals.

"John Cope" was another B side only song (of the above "I believe in you"), which started life during the "Colour of spring" sessions, but was eventually completed while working on "Spirit of Eden".

This compilation represents the true spirit of Talk Talk. It makes no attempt to secure mass sales by including the bands out of character hit singles, but instead chooses to paint an accurate picture of their development as a competent creator of fine albums. The CD is accompanied by an informative booklet and a sympathetic sleeve illustration.