Ultimate Crisis

I bought this for this occupation(which is a great track)that is hard to find.china crisis is a band that has great lyrics and nice melodies.they weren't the typical genre of the 80's.and had theyre own sound that wasn't the typical synth-pop or alternative.i would say they were a rock band.if you want a band that you can listen too and understand this is: china crisis with smooth melodies and easy on the ears.a pleasurable and listenable experience.very smooth.

Awesome collection!! Clean sound!! China Crisis represents what the 80's were about!! You will not be disappointed!! Before you know it you will be lost in the magic that is China Crisis!!

This 2 disc set is a good compilation of their work. It brought back the feel of the '80's. The nice thing is that this group still tours.

There is more hear than i will ever listen too but if you are a fan of CC you will love this thorough collection. sound quality is excellent.

great

A British post-punk pop group who released their core catalog in the 1980's, CHINA CRISIS had a modestly successful career in their home country, but are probably best remembered in America outside a small core of fans (me included) for their connection to STEELY DAN. Walter Becker produced their third album  Flaunt The Imperfection  and was credited as a full band member. He also produced their fifth release DIARY OF A HOLLOW HORSE, but the label had the group re-do some tracks with Mike Thorne (WIRE, SOFT CELL). Both versions are now available on  the 2013 two disc reissue . Lazy critics have also tagged the band a "British STEELY DAN," and although they both share intelligent lyrics, jazz-influenced compositions and crystal-clear production values, CHINA CRISIS are far from a DAN clone. With their liberal use of synthesizers, drum programming, melodic doubled vocals and a British lyric sensibility, CHINA CRISIS have carved their own special niche. ULTIMATE CRISIS, released in 2012 on the Music Club Deluxe imprint contains a selection of tracks from their first five releases along with five tracks of non-LP singles and B-Sides. The sound quality is excellent. Here's a rundown of the contents:From the 1982 debut,  Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms, Some People Think It's Fun To Entertain  (UK #21). All songs written and performed by Gary Daly (vocals, synthesizer), Eddie Lundon (guitar, vocals) and Dave Reilly (drums, percussion):- No More Blue Horizons (Fool Fool Fool) (Disc 2-Track 14)- Some People I Know Lead Fantastic Lives (1-7)- Christian (2-4)- African & White (1-4)- Red Sails (2-3)From the 1982 non-LP single:- Scream Down At Me (1-10)- Cucumber Garden (2-8)From 1983's  Working With Fire & Steel  (UK #20). All songs written and performed by Daly and Lundon, with Gary "Gazza" Johnson (bass guitar) and Kevin Wilkinson (drums, percussion). Additional musicians: Steve Levy (oboe, saxophone) and Gary Barnacle (flute):- Working With Fire And Steel (1-2)- When The Piper Calls (1-8)- Hanna Hanna (1-3)- Wishful Thinking (2-1)- Tragedy And Mystery (1-5)- The Soul Awakening (1-9)From the B-Side of "Tragedy And Mystery:"- A Golden Handshake For Every Daughter (1-15)From the B-side of "Wishful Thinking:"- This Occupation (12" version) (1-16)From 1985's  Flaunt The Imperfection  (UK #9/US #171). All songs written & performed by Daly, Lundon & Johnson, with Wilkinson, Walter Becker (synthesizer, percussion) and Tim Renwick (all guitar solos):- The Highest High (2-6)- Strength Of Character (2-9)- You Did Cut Me (2-7)- Black Man Ray (2-2)- Gift Of Freedom (1-11)- King In A Catholic Style (Wake Up) (1-10)- Blue Sea (2-15)From The B-Side of "Black Man Ray:"- Animalistic (1-12)From 1986's  What Price Paradise  (UK #63/US #114). All songs written & performed by Daly, Lunden, Johnson, Wilkinson and Brian McNeill (synthesizer, vocals):- It's Everything (2-17)- Arizona Sky (1-6)- Hampton Beach (2-11)- Best Kept Secret (1-5)- June Bride (1-14)From 1989's  Diary Of A Hollow Horse  (UK #58). All songs written & performed by Daly, Lunden, Johnson, Wilkinson and McNeill:- Saint Saviour Square (2-16)- Diary Of A Hollow Horse (1-17)- Red Sails (2-3)- In Northern Skies (2-10)- Back Home (1-13)Other releases by CHINA CRISIS:  Warped By Success  (1994),  Acoustically Yours - CD + Video (Limited Edition)  (1995),  Wishful Thinking  (1998 budget 2CD set with 'Warped By Success" and "Acoustically Yours")

China Crisis were, without a doubt, one of the most tragically underrated bands of the 1980's. They wrote great pop songs with terrific melodies, they had brains (but not an ounce of pretension), and made synthesizers seem almost human. I have to admit that I moved on after the third, brilliant album Flaunt The Imperfection, and after listening to tracks contained on this 2-disk set I have to say I missed out. Unfairly dubbed the English Steely Dan (not so bad, really), this duo were unique, and if 80's synth music interests you in the least then you must pick this up. Actually, anyone with an ear for great pop music should pick this up. Immediately.

At last there's a 2cd comprehensive overview of CC's entire 80s output. This should serve as a beginner's guide towards their Steely Dan influenced new wave output. Hopefully we'll see each one of their albums getting reissued with a bonus disc in a remastered form. Fingers crossed. But till then enjoy this !

I'm gonna gush here. I'll try to keep it short - what an injustice. To have the great likes of Squeeze, XTC, China Crisis, Kate Bush (of course there's more but that's enough for now) and to never have them gain a reputation worldwide as massive musical stars ..... and all off that little island....what is in that water.Growing up in Nova Scotia wasn't always the greatest place to grow up for exposure to great pop....but we had an OK radio station - C100....it got a little loose and whacky on Fridays and Saturday nights. I enjoyed listening to the radio while doing homework - then a great melody would drift into my ears and I was frequently hooked...I think it was 'Wishful Thinking'....next day purchase was the 12" red vinyl with 'This Occupation' - and when I heard that I knew .....I was about to spend some good record money.Former reviewers are all right, HUGE bang for the buck, remastered 'really' well - goosebumpily good. I was gonna hold out for the 2-disc editions of Difficult and Working but this will definitely hold me till then - wouldln't demo work from these guys sound great along with b-sides (can't wait to hear Greenacre Bay given this remastering thing). Too bad the book focuses so much on chart position - I learned a long time ago - the best music usually isn't popular.Those first two albums and this cd I know I'll play on a regular basis - the remaining b-sides need to be released.Hey Mr. EMI - you've done such a great job with this compilation why not just put out double cd issues of the albums...I'm discovering post Working singles while I'm listening to the old stuff - a brilliant release.

Basically a collection of their work with a couple of bites sides thrown in. I thought disc 2 was better. On the whole another compilation album. I was impressed by the new autumn in the neighbourhood so wish that more new material would be released.

This is by far the best compilation albums from one of Britain's most underrated and forgotten bands. China Crisis are simply brilliant and this release charts their career from their early releases such as Black Man Ray and Christian, right through to the end of their chart successes. The track listing includes all of their big singles, a selection of album tracks and even the odd forgotten b-side. This great release even comes with a short biography of the band in the linear notes. Fantastic value for money too!

A quite good compilation. Missing some favourites but I guess there's no more space on 2 CDs. From the charming Christian to the choral St. Saviour Square, from the innovation of the first eighties to the conventionalism of a established band. This band defines very well how to make music in a traditional way with enough winks to the modern technology, in such a way you can't get any definitive conclusion about their style. Is it a conventional band like the ones from the sixties?. Is it an avant-garde band?. Is it a synth pop band?. Then, the songs are the only thing left here, and there are a lot of good songs on the two CDs.

I cant add much more to what everyone else has said about this album and the band,Love It!!! it is superb. The remastering is top notch the sound quality is top draw.I had forgotten how good CC were, have the early albums on vinyl but not played them for some years and as already mentioned, so, so under rated!!!. Their music really stands the test of time and still sounds really fresh. so glad I got this as I am reliving the memories and digging their vibe all over again.Fantastic!!!