MOVEMENTS, 30TH ANNIVERSARY ANTHOLOGY

"Movements" is a superbly packaged summary of everything recorded by The Move from their inception up until their signing for the Harvest label in 1971. It is unfortunate that the band's final album and singles are thus omitted, but that should not detract from the excellence of this set.

Beginning with the A and B sides of the band's first singles "Night of fear" and "I can hear the grass grow", we are guided on a journey by the band from a singles focused 60's pop band to the ambitious heavy rock band who would metamorphose into the Electric Light Orchestra. Along the way, we are treated to three albums in their entirety, all the remaining singles A and B sides, and a fine collection of rarities.

The three albums included in full are "The Move", "Shazam" and "Looking on", leaving only the final album "Message from the country" missing. This omission is simply due to the fact that the band switched labels towards the end of their career. The chronological presentation of the material highlights how the band started off recording catchy pop songs, and gradually moved to a heavier rock orientated style. The infectious hook of say "Fire brigade" contrast starkly with the leaden thunder of "Brontosaurus" and the wonderfully adventurous adaptation of Tom Paxton's "Last thing on my mind".

We also get a rare chance to hear the band performing a selection of standards live at the Marquee in London, UK. Included here are tracks which were omitted from the original EP of that gig. The rarities are generally alternative mixes and "early Undubbed mixes". There is however an Italian language version of the B-side of "Blackberry Way", a wonderful song called "Something" (not the George Harrison song). The rare intended B-side of the aborted "Cherry blossom clinic" single "Vote for me", is also here. While the song itself is pretty prosaic, the publicity which surrounded it led to a court summons!

In short, while the absence of the Harvest Records material is a minor downside, this is the definitive Move collection. The combination of their superb non album singles, a live EP and three fine albums, makes this essential for anyone interested in this great band.