Search - Billy Ocean :: Ultimate Collection

Incredible Audio Quality! It Does Not Get Any Better Than T

Jason W. Bellenger | Byron Center, Michigan, USA | 12/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For once, a compilation with a fitting title! Released by BMG Strategic Marketing Group and Jive in mid-2004 is 'Ultimate Collection' by Billy Ocean, roughly 15 years after Ocean's 'Greatest Hits' release. I remember buying this shortly after it's release in 2004, stumbling upon it by accident. You can imagine my surprise when I found this, since I had been waiting for a more comprehensive, remastered collection from Ocean for a few years already. I figured that Jive/BMG had completely forgotten about this artist since so many other less successful acts already have numerous collections on the market.



Usually when these kind of ultimate collections find their ways into stores they are missing essential tracks and hit singles. Well, despite missing a few charting hits in the U.K. this release includes all 12 of Billy's U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Hits -- all of which made the Top 40, for that matter. In addition to the dozen Top 40 hits are two tracks from Ocean's 1993 effort, 'Time To Move On': "Everything's So Different Without You" was a very minor R&B and AC chart single. "Can We Go 'Round Again?" was, as far as I know, not even a single.



The only U.K. Top 40 hits missing here are "Stop Me (If You've Heard It All Before)", a #12 single in 1976, and "Calypso Crazy", a #35 single in 1988. Clocking in at roughly 75 minutes, 'Ultimate Collection' actually has room for one of these missing chart entries. Still, why should I complain with a massive 18 tracks on a single disc? Hint to Legacy/Sony BMG: How about a 2-disc 'The Essential Billy Ocean' for a complete singles overview?



The digital remastering is absolutely incredible! Hands down this disc features one of the best remastering jobs out of my 2,500+ CD music collection. Mastering credits go to James Cruz at Sony Music Studios, NYC. Cruz has brought out so much more fidelity than the original flat audio releases of the past. Gone is the dull and muddy presentation of those old '70s and '80s CDs. In their place is full, wide, bright, and crispy audio! The music jumps out at you for the very first time! "Ultimate" is the key word here when it comes to the sonic upgrade.



So why the review for this release now, 4 years after sitting in my collection? I've been hooked on this compilation lately due to my inclusion of "Loverboy" on a personal '80s collection. I was listening to the song in my car and was amazed at how brilliant it sounds even today, both sonically and musically. That guitar riff in the chorus is incredible! It really is amazing how much the remastering brings out of the recording, namely each time the electric guitar jars in and out in the chorus, creating a massive vibration! Amazing! The music took me back in time to when my local radio station used to keep "Loverboy" and other Ocean classics in regular rotation, even in the early '90s. It reminded how I don't really hear many Ocean songs on local radio anymore.



When I bought this disc in 2004 I completely ignored the back end of the disc. I decided to give it a listen lately and was surprised at how good the last 4 tracks are, starting with "Love Really Hurts Without You", which I somehow overlooked originally, much like the U.S. did when it only charted #22 while landing at #2 in the U.K. way back in 1976. Now that single is one of my favorites! What a catchy piece of music! The addition of "L.O.D. (Love On Delivery)", U.K. #19 in 1976, and "Red Light Spells Danger", U.K. #2 in 1977, are a couple highlights which did not make the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. "Red Light" is now a favorite as well, and now I understand why it charted so high in the U.K. "Nights", a U.S. Top Ten R&B and Top Ten Dance hit in 1981, completes the disc.



Billy Ocean's 'Ultimate Collection' is the ultimate purchase! But, you may have to buy this used or new from a seller since it is apparently now out of print. Grab it while you can!"