LAURA BRANIGAN – Self Control [Cherry Red 2-CD Remastered Expanded Edition] (2020) *EXCLUSIVE*

Cherry Red Records finally made justice to LAURA BRANIGAN‘s classic 3rd studio album “Self Control” – originally appeared in 1984 on Atlantic Records – releasing its definitive version: a remastered expanded 2-CD set including 11 bonus tracks.
What? A poppy album on this blog? Well folks, if you ask me, this is more AOR than many recordings marketed as such in the ’80s. Call it Light AOR, radio friendly rock&pop, whatever… “Self Control” is pure Eighties and we love it.
Just take a quick look at the session musicians and then tell me if it ain’t AOR related: Michael Landau, Dann Huff, Robbie Buchanan, Tommy Funderburk, Richard Page, Tom Kelly, Joe Pizzulo, Bill Champlin… ha!
Add to that Buchanan producing and arranging alongside Top Gun composer Harold Faltermeyer. I can’t imagine a product more representative of an era.

Forget the thin output of the original CD press, this remaster delivers a perfectly balanced sound quality unveiling layers in the music truly unnoticed before, so this upgrade is a real treat.
And we have a lot of bonus tracks that were hard to get on CD unless you’ve bought the expensive (and not really official) compilations appeared before.

Disc 1 features the original “Self Control” album that was released in April 1984. It was recorded in Los Angeles and Munich with production by Jack White and Robbie Buchanan. Renowned musicians featured on the recordings including Harold Faltermeyer (synthesizers), John Robinson (drums), Paul Jackson Jr. (guitar), Nathan East (bass), Michael Landau & Dann Huff (guitar), etc.

Disc 2 features all the related bonus material of Laura Branigan from this period. There are four versions of her international hit, ‘Self Control’.
The 12″ cut of “Self Control” is the version that was used in the original music video that got heavy MTV rotation in the summer of ’84. The album version was edited down from this one, which features unique segments rather than just a cut and paste job like most 12″ singles from that period.

Amazingly, we get two 12″ mixes of “The Lucky One”, one of my all time favorite songs by Laura Branigan. One is the mega-rare John Robie mix featuring lots of extra synths, and the fantastic, edgy hot extended version by Jack White which is arguably stronger than the album version.
Additionally, we have the great extended dance mix of “Satisfaction” which should have been a top 10 hit but got no radio airplay.
Other bonus include ‘When’, a track written by Branigan, and ‘Hot Night’, her contribution to the original soundtrack album of the hit film, Ghostbusters.

Buying this collection is a no-brainer for Laura Branigan or any ’80s fan. You get all the Branigan-style torch-rock your heart desires, and the entire original album beautifully remastered. Plus, there are the collectible bonus tracks.
This 2CD expanded edition features the original album artwork, extensive sleeve notes and a comprehensive UK Discography and is the most comprehensive collection of this period of her career.
A journey to the golden ’80s indeed.

Only at 0dayrox

CD 1 :
01 – The Lucky One
02 – Self Control
03 – Ti Amo
04 – Heart
05 – Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
06 – Satisfaction
07 – Silent Partners
08 – Breaking Out
09 – Take Me
10 – With Every Beat Of My Heart

CD 2 :
01 – Self Control (Extended Version)
02 – Self Control (Edit)
03 – Self Control (Classic Summer Mix 1992)
04 – Self Control (117 BPM Club 1992)
05 – The Lucky One (Single Version)
06 – The Lucky One (Jack White Mix)
07 – The Lucky One (John Robie Mix)
08 – Satisfaction (Single Version)
09 – Satisfaction (Special Dance Mix)
10 – When (Single Version)
11 – Hot Night

Laura Branigan – vocals
Michael Landau, Dann Huff, Paul Jackson Jr. – guitar
Robbie Buchanan – synthesizer, piano
Harold Faltermeyer – synthesizer
Nathan East – bass
John “J.R.” Robinson, Carlos Vega – drums
Larry Williams – sax
Tommy Funderburk – vocals, background vocals
Richard Page – vocals, background vocals
Steve George – vocals, background vocals
Tom Kelly – vocals, background vocals
Joe Pizzulo – vocals, background vocals
Bill Champlin – vocals, background vocals
Joe Chemay – vocals, background vocals
Beth Anderson – vocals, background vocals
Jim Haas – background vocals
Jon Joyce – vocals, background vocals
Cesar Garcia – vocals, background vocals
Bartholomew DeVoygeur – vocals, background vocals
Myrdyn Gaad – vocals, background vocals

BUY IT
www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Control-Expanded-Laura-Branigan/dp/B085RRZQK2