Alison Moyet - Raindancing -deluxe 2016- -flac- «A-Z PREMIUM»
In the landscape of 1980s British pop, few voices command as much respect as Alison Moyet. While her debut solo album, Alf, is often cited as her defining masterpiece, her 1987 sophomore effort, Raindancing, stands as a fascinating document of an artist navigating the pressures of fame and the evolving sound of the decade. In 2016, Music On Vinyl and Sony Legacy gave fans and audiophiles a reason to revisit the record with a comprehensive Deluxe Edition, released in high-quality FLAC audio formats for digital enthusiasts and heavyweight vinyl for collectors.
The 2016 Deluxe Edition is a 2-disc set. Disc 1 contains the remastered original album. Disc 2 is where collectors weep with joy: B-sides, Extended Mixes, & Rare Tracks.
In FLAC, these rare cuts shine:
The 2016 reissue aimed to right the wrongs of previous CD releases and present the album as a definitive piece of history. For audiophiles hunting the FLAC version, this release is a revelation. Previous digital transfers of 80s pop often suffered from "loudness wars" mastering or brittle high-ends. The 2016 remaster breathes new dynamic range into the tracks. The thunderous bass of "Weak in the Presence of Beauty" and the shimmering synths of "Is This Love?" are rendered with a clarity that separates the instruments, allowing Moyet’s vocal to sit warmly in the mix rather than fight against it.
The Deluxe Edition is typically structured to appeal to completists: Alison Moyet - Raindancing -Deluxe 2016- -FLAC-
The most contentious aspect of Raindancing upon its release was its production. Handed primarily to Jimmy Iovine (known for his work with Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks), the album possessed a "big," glossy sheen typical of the era. The 2016 remaster, presented here in lossless quality, allows for a dissection of this production.
In standard lossy formats (like MP3), the dense layering of tracks like the opener, "Is This Love?", can result in "smearing," where the vocals and backing tracks bleed together. In FLAC, the separation is distinct. One can hear the specific texture of the Fairlight CMI synthesizers and the distinct placement of the gated reverb drums—a hallmark of 80s production. While the production has been criticized for burying Moyet’s voice under a wall of sound, the remaster clarifies that Moyet’s vocal takes were recorded with remarkable proximity and presence. Her bluesy growl cuts through the digital polish of the title track, creating a tension between the organic voice and the mechanical backing that is compelling rather than distracting. In the landscape of 1980s British pop, few
The deluxe aspect isn't just about the remaster. The second disc of this 2016 release is where the narrative changes.
While the original Raindancing had filler ("Stronger Than The Flame" suddenly feels more urgent in 24-bit), the B-sides and rarities are stunning. "The Coventry Carol" is hauntingly beautiful, showcasing Moyet’s classical training. The 12" remixes—specifically the "Extended Re-Mix" of "Is This Love"—are no longer period curiosities; they are blueprints for how to produce pop music for a large soundstage. The 2016 Deluxe Edition is a 2-disc set