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ZANG TUUM TUMB - THE VALUE OF ENTERTAINMENT

Various Artists

Originally released as two separate entities IQ6 Zang Tumb Tuum Sampled previously available on LP & cassette and ZTT: The Value Of Entertainment, a VHS video cassette (and LaserDisc in Japan). For the first time they appear together in this nostalgic retrospective that showcases the original roster of ZTT's artists: Art of Noise, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Propaganda, Andrew Poppy and Anne Pigalle, ironically marking the beginning of the end of its golden age.

CD Zang Tumb Tuum Sampled: The original album appears for the first time on CD, remastered and expanded exclusively for this re-release. Unlike a conventional record label, ZTT chose to ignore the hit singles that they were releasing, opting to focus on album tracks archived material from the vaults and live performances. The result is a treasure trove of the familiar and the obscure, along with the then only appearance on record of the group Instinct (although tracks would eventually surface more than a quarter of a century later on future ZTT retrospectives). Seven bonus tracks are now included including, mainly focusing on the material from The Value Of Entertainment at the Ambassador's Theatre in London.

DVD: The Value Of Entertainment follows Paul Morley talking ZTT at the Ambassador's Theatre in 1985 and introducing the acts appearing live on stage at the venue. Minus the touring Frankie Goes To Hollywood and then recently departed Art of Noise from the label, leaving Morley to fill in the gaps. Looking back at the show almost thirty years later with Propaganda as the headlining act, it still manages to encapsulate the diversity of their artists and those musical ideas that have been synonymously associated with ZTT. In addition to the original Time Capsule video presentation that was released in 1986, there is now an additional one entitled Time Capsule Two. along with a Gallery by Andrew Catlin. The picture quality is remarkably good despite its age and is far better than watching it on an old VHS video cassette.

Over the last three decades ZTT have released not only ground breaking albums, but also remarkable compilations too in the form of dance compilations, film soundtracks, box sets and one totally dedicated to the production skills of label owner Trevor Horn. Each one standing well apart from the run of the mill releases put out by other record companies. It is with a sense of irony that their first, originally a low priced disposable sampler, has been a fan favourite since its initial release. IQ6 Zang Tumb Tuum Sampled has always been regarded by most as the ultimate ZTT compilation, but it was also the one ignored by the Compact Disc format, until now where it can be experienced for the first time in its entirety both sonically and visually with the accompanying The Value Of Entertainment.

- KM Whitehouse, January 2015