ABCs of My Vinyl Collection (Letter B, Part 24)

I had planned on going all indie pop this week. Today was to be the Broken West, but I should have checked the shelf first. I thought I had debut 'I Can't Go On, I'll Go On," and I do, but on CD. Further research shows it was never released on vinyl. My memory isn't what it used to be, but when it comes to my records, I'm usually a savant. Disturbing. Anyway, in it's place, I give you Bronski Beat, a band I was going to skip but am now quite happy to include. The timing is perfect since I just saw 'Pride,' the 2014 film depicting the 1984 Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners campaign to which Bronski Beat headlined the legendary "Pits and Perverts" fundraising concert.

The band may be named for John Bronski, but Bronski Beat will always be identified by the falsetto vocals of Jimmy Somerville. To my surprise, then, today I'm choosing the first single post Somerville. Bronski Beat will be remembered and revered for "Why?" and "Smalltown Boy," and rightly so. Their messages make them among the most important songs of the era. You'll find none of that with "Hit That Perfect Beat." "Jon Jon" Foster's debut as lead singer is all about having a good time under the disco ball, and it was a massive hit. The extended 12" version featured here is about twice as long as the 7" because, well, your feet would have barely found that beat in three-and-a-half minutes. I only stuck with Bronski Beat for one more single. "C'Mon! C'Mon!" was more good-time fun but too many miles from the days of "Smalltown Boy" for these ears.

"Hit That Perfect Beat" (Extended Version)