1. Downtown Train (NME Version) - Tom Waits
Originally released on Waits' 1985 album Rain Dogs, this is an earthier, steelier version of perhaps the troubadour's most well known tune. Never released a single in its original form, Downtown Train has been recorded by many and taken into the US charts by Patty Smyth. Most famously, it was recorded by Rod Stewart who had a Trans-Atlantic Top 3 hit with his rendition in 1989/90. This version is exclusive to this release so an instant collectors item for Waits fanatics.
2. Some Candy Talking (NME Version) -The Jesus And Mary Chain
The first fruits from JAMC's post-Psychocandy sessions emerged right here on this EP. Having just released their classic debut four months ago, the band quickly released this new recording. A rarity in the world of track giveaways, the track proved so popular that it was rerecorded and became the lead single on the band's next full release, the Some Candy Talking EP, which gave them their commercial breakthrough hitting #13 in July 1986 despite hitting a Radio 1 ban for its supposed (denied) lyric about heroin. After years of being exclusive to this release, this first version of Some Candy Talking was re-released on the deluxe edition of JAMC's Darklands opus last year.
3. Ticket To Ride - Husker Du
Yet another exclusive from one of the most influential American indie bands of the decade. Despite making their name with a fast, energetic, hardcore punk, Husker Du found melody and slowed down towards the end of their career churning out the odd classic cover for good measure amongst them the Byrds' Eight Miles High, Donovan's Sunshine Superman and this Beatles track you may have heard. Lead singer and guitarist Bob Mould would take this to the next level with his next band, Sugar.
4. Let's Get Small - Trouble Funk
Only in the 80s could you have a band whose musical style could be described as "go-go funk". Still going today, Washington's Trouble Funk released five albums between 1981 and 1987, two of which Say What! (which included this track) and Trouble Over Here Trouble Over There scratched the Top 75. Five singles reached the Top 100 - the biggest being Woman Of Principle which hit #65. This is an exclusive of Let's Get Small which was originally released a 12" single in 1982 before reappearing in 1986.
