Icons US Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Michael Jackson's Off The Wall tour is legendary. It came in the late 1980s and saw the King of Pop at the very height of his powers, mesmerising crowds with his iconic dance moves and impressing them just as much with his vocal performances. In 1987 he headed to Japan and played live in Yokohama one magical night which was recorded on tape forever. One of the tracks he played was the title cut from his Off The Wall album and now it's pressed up to blue 12" as three different Paso Doble mixes.

Review: Madonna has got an endless catalogue of bangers from across the eras and many different styles. We certainly think 'Justify My Love's one of the ones best suited to a club rework and so it proves here with Afters doing just that on Icons. First is an extended remix with some driving drums and sweeping synths layered in next to splashy cymbals while the instrumental dial things back and radio edit gets everything packed into a shorter run time for most impact.

Review: Madonna's 'Vogue,' now reissued on 12", remains a landmark in music history. Originally recorded in 1989 as a last-minute track, 'Vogue' became an unexpected hit, blending underground house music with references to Old Hollywood icons. The song's success was propelled by its iconic black-and-white music video, directed by David Fincher, which paid homage to fashion photography and featured choreography by the House of Extravaganza. Beyond its chart-topping success, 'Vogue' brought the Harlem ball scene and voguing culture into the mainstream, highlighting the creativity of marginalized African American and Latinx communities. While some critique Madonna for cultural appropriation, her efforts also promoted AIDS awareness and provided visibility for queer culture. Decades later, 'Vogue' endures as an anthem of self-expression and escapism, reflecting both the progress and ongoing struggles of the LGBTQ+ community.

Review: House lover and studio wizard Qwartz has been at it again, with 'it' being editing some classic rock tunes into club-ready sounds for DJs and dancers. This time he tackles 'Baba O' Riley' firstly with an extended mix that brings all new life into The Who's original. It has a prickly low end with eerie guitars and disco motifs making it a raw, heads-down sound. The dub remix brings a little extra low-end weight.