SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BRONSKI BEAT – FORBIDDEN FRUIT: THE AGE OF CONSENT REMIXED

BRONSKI BEAT
FORBIDDEN FRUIT: THE AGE OF CONSENT REMIXED
LONDON RECORDS/UNIVERSAL MUSIC

The original, and some may argue, best line-up of Bronski Beat (Steve Bronski, Larry Steinbachek and Jimmy Somerville) lasted for just one album, Forbidden Fruit, released in 1984. The album became a huge hit and an instant classic. It was very danceable and had very strong lyrics and messages. All of the members were openly gay and were at the forefront during the mid-1980s to sing about LGBTQ2S+ rights. After their debut album, Somerville left for The Communards and solo success. The band continued on with a new lead singer and continued to produce great music.

In 1985, when Bronski Beat’s future was uncertain, their label released an interesting album, Hundreds & Thousands, in which songs from Forbidden Fruit were remixed. This was nothing new, as Soft Cell, The Human League and others had released remixed albums. What made the album different was the inclusion of two new songs (“Run From Love” and “Hard Rain”). Forbidden Fruit: The Age Of Consent Remixed is not a reissue of Hundreds & Thousands, but like that album, Forbidden Fruit: The Age Of Consent Remixed is a remix of the original album.

New producers, DJs, musicians, and artists have come together to remix the album, in their own way paying tribute to the classic. The album kicks off with “Why? (Superchumbo Super Extended Mix Ft. Neil Tennant)”. This is a brilliant way to open the proceedings. Tennant does not add a great deal, but what he does add is brilliant and powerful. His presence does not turn the song into a Pet Shop Boys track, far from it, but his trademark deadpan yet forceful vocals elevate the song in this new dance remix. Superchumbo keeps the strong melody of the song, while making it even more danceable than the original 12-inch remixes.

Their big hit, “Smalltown Boy (Bronski Beat & The Knocks Ft. Perfume Genius – Extended Mix)” is handled beautifully, and again, the original beauty of the song is maintained while adding a strong dancefloor beat. The Knocks add layers and create an interesting and haunting feeling to the song. And it is great to have the duets with Marc Almond included (“I Feel Love / Love To Love You Baby (Ultramix)” and “Johnnie Remember Me (A Jazz Affair)”). They both sound fresh and Almond and Sommerville dueting is absolutely breathtaking. The ‘jazzy’ remix of “Johnnie Remember Me” is absolutely brilliant. It brings to mind the ABC jazz version of “Poison Arrow”.

This collection includes songs that have never been remixed before, such as “No More War” (which includes snippets of Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s “Two Tribes” and great sound effects), “I Need A Man Blues” and the fantastic “Screaming”, which features such honest lyrics, such as Sommerville, sadly stating “My loneliness, my aching brain.” The inclusion of these songs almost make up for the loss of “Run For Love” and Hard Rain”.

Forbidden Fruit: The Age Of Consent Remixed is a beautiful and loving tribute to an album that has aged extremely well. These new takes on The Age Of Consent are fresh and bring new depth and energy to the original album. Of course, there are multiple versions of the collection, with bonus songs thrown in for good measure. Whichever one you end up with is fine, as the songs are the key and the songs have been treated with the dignity and beauty they deserve. Forbidden Fruit: The Age Of Consent Remixed is a great album. As Bryan Ferry once sang, “dance away your heartache”.

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BRONSKI BEAT – AGE OF CONSENT (40th ANNIVERSARY EDITION)

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