FRANKIE Goes To Hollywood (FGTH) courted controversy from the very start, with their debut single Relax being banned by just about everybody (following Mike Read’s unilateral decision); but it was too late. The record was already high in the charts and the ban only served to increase sales.

The follow-up, Two Tribes, about the threat of nuclear war, was also controversial – but had a great video.

FGTH became a phenomenon and even spawned the ‘Frankie Says[ t-shirt design.

This collection contains the very best of the tracks recorded by the band at Sarm Studios for Trevor Horn’s ZTT label between 1983 and 1987.

It includes eight singles (two of which were amongst the biggest selling 12-inch singles ever), remixes and select album tracks.

The bands’ success was assured as their first three singles all topped the charts – something that hadn’t been done for 20 years.

Relax ended up topping the charts in 18 countries and sold 13 million copies.

Two Tribes stayed in the charts for weeks - partly due to the fact that a new mix of the song was released every week.

But let’s not forget Rage Hard, The Power of Love, Welcome to the Pleasuredome, and their tribute to their home city Ferry Across the Mersey, which, along with War, is one of two covers on the album.

The heavy and insistent bass line is apparent throughout this collection and is as much a hallmark of their sound as Holly Johnson’s vocals.

A superb collection, showcasing everything that was great about 80’s music.

Salvo / ZTT. SALVOCD060.

Martin Hutchinson.