Radio Loop Loop Schallplatten & CDs

Review: It was probably easy to come up with a catchier title for this collection of treasured recordings from one of the 20th Century's greatest lost talents. But like everything Buckley and music, ease isn't really part of the story, that is unless you're referencing the pure bliss of listening to this legend's voice, which is as easy on the ear as you could ask for.

Comprising tracks that were originally captured for broadcast, they reveal the very essence of what Buckley was about. Heartfelt, open-veined songs that grasp the human condition in astute swoops, by this point in his career the folk and Americana signatures had merged with jazz and abstract elements, presenting an image of a restless artist determined to keep exploring. It's been said before, but we will reiterate; had it not been for the tragic overdose a year after the OGWT recording featured here, we can only imagine where his oeuvre would have ended up.

Review: It would wind up being one of the last dates Joy Division played in the UK before the tragic suicide of Ian Curtis laid waste to the band's promise of a huge future, resulting in the formulation of successor outfit New Order. Taking place on 8th February 1980, within months the dulcet-toned frontman would no longer be with us, but this recording - along with a host more - audibly proves the lasting legacy of Manchester's finest post punk group still sounds exceptional today.

Of course we know what to expect by now. Most of us have both Unknown Pleasures and Closer on the shelf or the hard drive, if not also debut 1978 EP, An Ideal for Living. But that doesn't detract from the powerhouse of atmosphere that the outfit always created, whether on studio or concert recordings. In our opinion, this is up there with the best examples of the latter.