SPECTRUM
Loose Ends
THE BEST OF
EMI GOLD
Two bands that could, and should, have achieved more. Central Line earned immortality with ’81’s “Walking Into Sunshine”?here represented twice, in original and Larry Levan-remixed form?and it’s noticeable how much better the material from their 1982 debut album Breaking Point is than their later work. “That’s No Way To Treat My Love” and “Don’t Tell Me” are US funk-rivalling highlights.
Loose Ends specialised in vaguely paranoid electro-soul balladry. “Hangin’ On A String”?the best soul record ever to come out of a British studio; Gaye and Terrell ghostdancing?hangs over the rest of their work like Damocles’ sword, but the beautiful misery of “Choose Me” has to be recognised, as does the Timbaland-anticipating “Stay A Little While, Child”.