Pelican West

Been some time since last review but this one I had to say a few words on this re-release. Just to make a quick comment on this one, it is better then the last version that came out because it is complete with all the singles of the era as well as the "B" sides and 12" mixes. One track "Love Plus One" did not appear on last version in the extended version. I had it on other compilations but it fits perfect now with this collection. So to wrap this little review up, if your a fan, or a 80's hardcore fan, get this one, it is completely worthwhile.Drop by my website sometime @ "JudeMacforever". Google it, always something there for about everyone.

One of the best 80's albums ever; remastered to perfection. Nothing but awesome.

The new 2016 2cd remaster is clearly the best reissue of this album so far. All the 12' singles are collected here and with some previously unreleased tracks, at least for the US market. There have been several cd reissues of Pelican West over the years, but this new Cherry Red version out does them all. Pristine sound straight from the master tapes.

Truly one of the best albums of the 80s I am so excited that this album is now on CD.Thank god they have released Paint and paint finally On CD Now I can listen to to with the best albums of the 1980's

Absolutely love the vinyl. Looks new and playing it brought me sooo much joy.

This 2 disc edition sounds phenomenal!!! They really took their time with this one. Best version of the album with b-sides & mixes!! What more do you want - doesn't get any better than this!!!!

Not One Bad Song. Very Surprised I Could get 2 Brand New Copies of a Record That's 33 years Old. Can't Go Wrong with this Fantastic Recording

Love it! Whiteboy disco/funk/new wave.

Released in February 1982: Pelican west; was the debut album release by pop funk (and jazz) group - Haircut 100.It spawned three UK hit singles in; Favourite shirts (boy meets girl),Love plus one and Fantastic day - All top tens'.Fronted by the quite charismatic Nick Heywood,this tight six-piece band - including; Les Nemes,Mark Fox and Blair Cunningham (percusionist and bass guitar - respectively),certainly brought their own traits to the recordings of Pelican west:The incredibly,fast-paced rythym guitar of - Graham Jones and saxophone playing - Phil Smith - heard throughout the album - is a vital ingredient towards making this such a good time,sound of summer record.This musical style of 'pop funk'; was quite popular at the time,with artists such as; Modern romance,Matt bianco and even Wham (Club Tropicana) going down a similar route.also: Sailor - A glass of champagne,Girls,Girls,Girls..the previous decade.The original release of PW contained 12 tracks,including the semi-instrumentals'; Marine boy and Milk film and Snow girl (one of my favourites).closing with Calling captain autumn.This 2016 deluxe re-issue: includes four bonus tracks; Boat party,Ski club (both in keeping with the good life themes),October is orange (day 1 & 2) and the afforementioned Nobody's fool) - All on disc one.Disc two contains various bonus tracks - 12",extended versions of most tracks on disc one - and two 'special extended' versions of - Calling captain autumn and Loves got me in triangles (also included on disc one).I find some of the bonus tracks a bit unnecessary,as there is a feeling of deja vu with some song versions - for purists only!Penultimate track (12): is a live version of Fantastic day,and sees the whole band on fire - performing to (what sounds like) their target audience of teenage girls.Carefully marketed with their 'Ivy league' style fashion sense,Haircut 100 shone briefly but brightly.come January 1983 - Nick Heywood announced he had left Haircut 100.Elsewhere on this 2016 deluxe edition of PW: it includes informative sleeve notes of the era,by Michael Sylvester (unknown background),full track listing and song writing credits,singles discography - oh,and marvellous art work by qualified graphic artist - Nick Heywood!Pelican west is - mainly - a very good album and this is an excellent re-release by Cherry pop records (as usual).although things went downhill quite rapidly for Haircut 100,after Nick Heywood's departure (a successful solo career beckoned for him) - I still prefer their follow up album - Paint and paint (first released in 1984).more sophisticated and well crafted - less pop oriented.thus,sadly a commercial failure - such a travesty!P.S. excellent original production by Bob Sergeant and first class re-mastering for this 2016 re-issue of Pelican west by Haircut 100.

Pelican West finally gets the re-mastering treatment. At last!Yes, Cherry Red have actually gone to the master tapes for this one I’m delighted to say. I was dubious – The Anvil was a big missed opportunity, and mastering from vinyl unforgiveable where the original tapes still exist.The CD issue of Pelican West always sounded flat and dull. So, does the remastering help?Most certainly. It’s a terrific improvement – bringing out the richness of the ensemble playing, the bright, trebly guitar, the horns, Les Nemes’ wonderfully fluid bass parts, and percussion of a quality to grace an Airto Moreira record.It’s fabulous. And what an album. So neglected, but really it belongs in the highest pantheon of British pop – alongside the likes of Revolver, Dare, Hunky Dory, Lexicon of Love and Dog Man Star.Other pluses on this release:At last, the original 12” mix of Favourite Shirts, which is just magnificent. I’ve always hated the ghastly mid 80s version, complete with ridiculous reverbed snare.Great too to have the extended mixes of Ski Club and Triangles.One minus – the 7” fade of Love Plus One would have made the set complete.And what of the unreleased tracks that still don’t appear on CD?Well, only a handful were finished, but it would have been great to have Sunny Boy, Sunny Girl, Club Boy at Sea, Brookfield Girl and Whistle Down the Wind included. All are terrific. And all were finished.And finally the sleevenotes are only serviceable.An interview with Nick Heyward would have been nice. As would a couple of quotes from Danny Baker’s NME album review. And the essay written by Marcello Carlin – from his ChurchofMe blog – deserves the wide audience it would have received had it been reproduced here. It’s the best piece I’ve seen on the album – and I’ve seen a few. It’s a record that inspires.Still, five stars all the way. Well done, Cherry Red.

This still sounds brilliant today the remastering is excellent as already mentioned by another reviewer they went to the original master tapes and created something special. The songs are catchy and they can all really play, the extra cd comes with all the 12 inch versions and live version of fantastic day, which is my favourite song. This is a must for any fan of Haircut 100 fan or anyone who likes 80's music, sit down in your favourite chair put your headphones on you won't be disappointed.

Eighties pop at its preppy finest, with hit singles 'Fantastic Day', 'Love Plus One', and 'Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)', catering for the bright and breezy end of the decade's opening New Wave spectrum. Like many of their peers, this short-lived group were more of a singles band than an album one; other tracks here are serviceable and pleasing on the ear, particularly the wistful Nick Heyward-penned 'Love's got me in Triangles' on side 2, however they are also very much of their moment, and probably only relevant to kids of the eighties (like me). Still, worth a look if you like good pop music.

This re-issue is long overdue considering it was released in 1982.Obviously "Fantastic Day" is the track that stands out the most and at long last the 12 inch version has been made available.The whole album and all the extras are very uplifting,catchy and enjoyable to listen to especially if you are doing something boring such as ironing or cleaning.I definitely recommend this.