Classic Alternatives (Vol. 3) is a curated compilation album released in 1995 by the specialized Canadian record label SPG Music. Serving as a sonic time capsule for the late 1970s and 1980s, the album caters heavily to enthusiasts of new wave, synth-pop, post-punk, and early alternative rock. Unlike generic decade retrospectives that rely on standard radio edits, this specific volume earned a dedicated following among DJs and collectors for its commitment to rare 12-inch extended versions, obscure club remixes, and hard-to-find dance mixes that defined underground nightlife during the era.
The tracking playlist spans 12 meticulously selected songs from definitive artists of the period, including Killing Joke, Ultravox, The Stone Roses, and Visage. While the overarching energy of the album relies on driving synth beats and elongated club cuts—such as Pete Shelley’s "Homosapien (Elongated Dancepartydubmix)"—it also strategically includes atmospheric, unremixed masterpieces like The Church's "Under the Milky Way" to vary the tempo. Out of print for decades, physical CD copies of this release remain highly sought-after collector's items on secondary music marketplaces.
