Rick Astley: Free/Body & Soul auf 2 CDs

* After the huge worldwide success of his first two albums (“Whenever You Need Somebody” and “Hold Me In Your Arms”) on which Rick had written and produced several tracks himself, he decided to break away from Stock, Aitken and Waterman altogether.

* For “Free”, released in March 1991, he enlisted the help of Gary Stevenson and famed arrangers Anne Dudley (Art Of Noise, ABC, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Will Young, Boyzone etc) and Jerry Hey (Michael Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire etc.) and even Elton John. The album was preceded by the hit singles “Cry For Help”, “Move Right Out” and “Never Knew Love”.

* “Body & Soul” (September 1993) was also recorded with the help of Gary Stevenson and features the hits ”The Ones You Love” and “Hopelessly”.

* Compiled by PWL consultant Tom Parker, this 2 CD release presents all the rare extended 12” mixes and remixes and the non-album b-sides, the majority of which appear on CD for the first time. Also featured are “Some Kinda Love” and “Stop Breaking Your Heart”, both of which were exclusive to the Japanese editions of the albums. All this adds up to over 155 minutes of Rick Astley!

* The booklet features full annotation by Tom Parker as well as the singles sleeves. With Pete Waterman writing the UK’s Eurovision entry, there is bound to be renewed interest in the PWL 80s classics!