Collected

Part of Universal's Collected series, this is by far the best one-stop option for getting most of Robert's most significant output in one place. Included is one song from The Alan Brown Set, two from Vinegar Joe and two from The Power Station (both Top 40 hits, Some Like It Hot and Get It On), all of which feature Palmer on vocals.There are three discs (two in trays, one in the fold-out panel) and a nice, full, consistent sound that suggests remastering (QS Sound Lab in the Netherlands is mentioned as mastering studio).Most songs here are album versions. Exceptions include Addicted To Love, Every Kinda People and Bad Case Of Loving You which are the same versions as on the two Addictions compilations that featured mostly remade or resung versions of his hits. But don't worry, Addicted To Love still sounds like the classic song we love. It's a shame, though, they didn't use the 5.02 mins 12'' Version from the Japan release.Despite that, there are a number of extended versions, remixes and other variants included here. Including the aforementioned reworkings from the Addictions retrospectives, these are:CD1 Track 5 - Every Kinda People (Addictions Mix) 3.25mins - mix not creditedCD1 Track 9 - Bad Case Of Loving You (Addictions Mix) 3.12mins - mix not creditedCD2 Track 1 - Addicted To Love (Addictions Mix) 4.22mins - mix not creditedCD2 Track 7 - Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming (US 12" Edit) 4.09 - mix not credited, this was Track 2 on the US promo CD that featured the album version and five mixes by Al B. Sure!CD3 Track 4 - Parade Of The Obliterators 6.53mins - the full-length B-side from the Pride UK 12"CD3 Track 5 - Pride (Francois Kevorkian US Remix, listed simply as Remix) 5.17minsCD3 Track 6 - You Can Have It (Take My Heart) (12" Version) 4.50minsCD3 Track 7 - You Are In My System (Remix) 5.39 (inexplicably faded from its original 6.07 duration, there was room for the rest of the mix on this CD which clocks in at 77mins 36 seconds total)CD3 Track 10 - Simply Irresistible (E.T. Remix) 6.34minsCD3 Track 11 - Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You (12" Remix) 7.06minsCD3 Track 15 - Every Kinda People (Jolley/Harris/Jolley Reproduction Radio Mix - here listed as 1992 Remix) 3.50mins - from the UK CD single promo. There were also Steve Anderson mixes, which would have been a better option on this set as the Reproduction Radio Mix has a very similar arrangement to the other versions featuredAlso worth a mention as long/uptempo/synth tracks are:CD1 Track 12 - Johnny And Mary - 4.01mins album/12" mix, energetic synthpop (later covered as an outright Hi-NRG track by Leigh Jaeger, one of the models from Palmer's Addicted To Love video, with a Harding/Curnow 12" mix)CD1 Track 13 - Looking For Clues - 4.54 mins album version, which I believe is the same as 12" 'Long Version'CD1 Track 14 - Some Guys Have All The Luck - 3.10mins album version that was also the 12" single versionCD1 Track 16 - You Are In My System - 4.28mins album version (the 12" is also included as mentioned above)CD1 Track 17 - You Can Have It (Take My Heart) 3.09mins album version (the 12" is also included as mentioned above)CD1 Track 19 - Discipline Of Love - 6.07mins full-length album version, though not the 6.40mins 12" remixCD2 Track 2 - Hyperactive - 5.07mins full-length ET (Eric Thorngren) mix from the album and the 12" singleCD2 Track 11 - Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You 5.56mins - full-length album version (the 12" is also included as mentioned above)CD3 Track 8 - Some Like It Hot - full-length album version 5.06 mins, though not the 6.40mins 12" version.There's a lot of pop-rock on this set, more than there is synthpop, so this collection probably won't be for devoted dance fans and disco bunnies - but there's enough here to cherry-pick a solid playlist of extended/remixed/uptempo material.The inconsistent sourcing - mixing up album versions, remakes and remixes - is what actually makes this set great and really interesting. Especially the 12" mixes, which will appeal if you missed the expanded editions of the albums from 2013.

Palmer on Vinyl in 2016 sounds great on this 180gram audiophile 'Music on Vinyl' product. Each side sounds great offering crisp and clear 'Vinyl sound'.Consisting of 2 discs 'Collected' is a judicious collection of the essential Palmer tracks spanning his solo career[1974-1995] with one Vinegar Joe track (Never Met A Dog) on side Four. An inclusion that incidentally sits raucously well next to The Power Station (Some Like It Hot). Typical of such collections, Palmer's musical adventures across his wide ranging career get the representative treatment as well-known tracks take precedence - coming it at 7 tracks per side however it makes for a tight and elegant survey.- Side One covers 1974-1979 and 1979-1983 on Side Two of Disk 1 and it doesn't miss a beat in this production.- Side Three covers 1983-1988 and 1990-1995 on Side Four with the revisiting of 1974, 1985 and 1990 respectively in the last three songs.As mentioned, side Four is a joy - audaciously taking Palmer's covers of Marvin Gaye, The Staples Singers, Bob Dylan and his efforts with Vinegar Joe and The Power Station and mixing in 1994's You Blow Me Away. All without exception to great musical effect. Palmer's voice - "One of the Great voices of the 20th Century", Jools Holland - is the key that locks the diversity of styles and influences together. Addicted to love and Simply Irresistible of course feature as the defining moments of his career - at least in the popular consciousness of the 1980s, but Robert Palmer Collected more than amply demonstrates that these award winning hits were matched and even bettered by, say 'Sneakin' Sally' or 'Bad case of Loving You' for their 'toe tapping' appeal. Palmer is described as a "genius" in the liner notes for his ability to be so musically ambidextrous.The package is gatefold matt cardboard with interesting liner notes and a great selection of photos. In fact the whole package should appeal to Palmer fans - the cigarette tray in the photos won't be lost on those that knew his real addiction. While to non Palmer fans, if you want to discover a thoroughly rewarding and great musical journey across the late 20thC's popular musical forms, with one of that century's great voices belting out RnB, Rock, Pop, Ballads Standards and New Wave, all with a great fidelity of sound - this is where to start. Fans, get this while it lasts.

All the hits, maybe could have another from Pride, but that’s just personal preference..Top quality pressing. Quite impressive tbf..

Love Robert Palmer ,very good value for money for any true Robert Palmer fan

Always been a fan of Robert PalmerUnderstandable that there were highs and low's in anybody's carereThere were songs I didn't like but there were a lot of songs I did likeHis style definitely made him simply irresistible.

This is the best Robert Palmer retrospective by a mile. All the best tunes are there covering all his career. Great service and delivery. 5 stars!!

The Governor - silky smooth style and all the amazing songs in one place - what else is there to say ?

This is the only Robert Palmer album I own in any format. I have one or two tracks in MP3 format but on vinyl, this just blows them away.