Bananarama - Venus (Leo Zero Remix)

Bananarama are one of the UK's most iconic and successful girlbands, and a new vinyl collection of remixes of their biggest hits is coming this Record Store Day. The first volume of Bananarama Remixed, to be released on blue vinyl, includes a new take on one of their most famous hits Venus, their first single with super-producers Stock Aitken Waterman.

Venus, a cover of the 1970 Shocking Blue hit, reached Number 8 in the UK in 1986 and was Bananarama's only US Number 1. Its frenetic, high-energy sound was said to be inspired by Dead or Alive's huge Number 1 You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) – also produced by SAW.

For 2019, however, Venus offers a more laid-back disco vibe, but is no less a floorfiller than the original, thanks to the talents of DJ and remixer Leo Zero, famed for his dancefloor overhauls of classics by artists like Bryan Ferry, Madness and Coldplay.

Bananarama Remixed: Vol 1 also features their very first single Aie A Mwana, remixed by Ewan Pearson, who's worked on tracks by Depeche Mode, The Chemical Brothers and Goldfrapp, pkus a new version of 1983 Top 10 Cruel Summer by remix pioneer Tom Moulton and a further remix of Venus by Leo Zero. It will be available on Record Store Day, 13 April 2019

Following a hugely successful reunion tour with all three original members in 2017, Bananarama have recorded a new album as a duo, In Stereo, out 19 April.

Blancmange - Living On The Ceiling (Richard Norris Remix)

The classic, 1980s Blancmange hit "Living On The Ceiling" has been remastered and is released exclusively on limited edition blue vinyl for RSD 2019. Featuring a previously unreleased Richard Norris remix, plus a rare extended version of the track.

The release will be available from independent record stores on April 13th.

The Song Diaries is out now!

The day is finally here! The Song Diaries is out today.

This project has been completely lovely and indulgent. I think Amy Langley's arrangements are so clever and sensitive. She has kept the bounce and quirks of the original songs but added texture and romance. 

Revisiting these songs in their new costumes felt great. Some songs I haven't sung for a while so it was nice to wake them up. Ed Harcourt and David Arnold have produced the complexity of the orchestra with just the right care and we've had a lot of fun in the process.

Everyone always says 'I hope you enjoy it' when they release a new album, but with a greatest hits it's particularly true. These songs are your songs and I was thinking of how you'd hear them all along. I hope you feel each song chosen has gained something new in this process.

It's not my intention that you prefer the orchestral versions, but more that it puts the songs into a prism and you see some new colours in there. The Song Diaries - this one's for you. 

Lots of love as ever and eternal gratitude for your support. You're the best.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor