Extend The 80s Electro is a comprehensive three-CD compilation album released by BMG/Rhino in 2018 that celebrates the innovative synth-driven sounds of the 1980s. Spanning 30 tracks, the collection avoids standard radio edits in favour of rare, full-length 12-inch remixes, extended versions, and club mixes. It captures a pivotal era in music history when electronic production techniques, drum machines, and synthesizers began dominating the airwaves. The tracklist seamlessly bridges the gap between mainstream electronic pop and the underground club scene, showcasing how producers of the era expanded songs into immersive soundscapes for the dancefloor.
The compilation features an impressive roster of definitive 80s artists, including synth-pop royalty, new wave pioneers, and electro-funk innovators. Listeners can dive into legendary extended mixes such as Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s "Relax" (12" New York Mix), The Art of Noise's avant-garde "Beat Box (Diversion One)", and Propaganda's dark synth masterpiece "Dr. Mabuse (13th Life Mix)". Alongside these massive chart-toppers are cult club classics from artists like Japan, Thomas Dolby, Nena, and the West Street Mob. Serving as part of BMG’s wider Extend the 80s series, this specific volume remains a highly sought-after time capsule for audiophiles and DJs looking for the definitive, unedited sounds of the electronic decade.
