Best Of Thomas Dolby: Retrospectacle CD

Recorded between February 1980 and November 1990. Includes liner notes by Giles Smith.

This 1995 Thomas Dolby compilation is essential for fans of the British synthpop pioneer. It features both the first CD appearances of "Urges" and "Leipzig," songs from a 1981 indie single which were bumped off the second US release of Dolby's debut album in favor of "One of Our Submarines," and the utterly non-representative novelty hit "She Blinded Me with Science."

"Leipzig" in particular is one of Dolby's finest songs, a meditative, wistful reverie that's considerably warmer and more human than is usually found with this style of music. The collection also gets points for including the superior seven-inch mixes of "She Blinded Me with Science" and "Airwaves," while avoiding the inadequate Dolby's Cube side project and most of the disappointing techno-funk experiment Aliens Ate My Buick. RETROSPECTACLE is an excellent overview of Dolby's career.

Engineers: Dan Lacksman.

Personnel includes: Thomas Dolby (vocals, piano, keyboards, synthesizer, wave computer, drum programming, sound effects); Kevin Armstrong (guitar, trumpet, background vocals); Larry Treadwell (guitar); Al Tharp (banjo, background vocals); Tim Kerr (violin); Simon Lloyd (flute, brass); Peter Thoms (trombone); Mike Kapitan (synthesizer, background vocals); Matthew Seligman (bass, fretless bass, Moog bass); Terry Jackson (bass); Justin Hildreth (drums, programming); David Owens (drums); Arno Lucas (congas); Clif Brigden (percussion, programming); Bruce Woolley, Mutt Lange, Leslie Fairbairn, Cynthia Moliere (background vocals).

Producers: Thomas Dolby, Andy Partridge, Tim Friese-Greene, Bill Bottrell.