In an age where buying a new single requires no more than a one-handed, download-activating, thumb-click on your mobile phone, many people will struggle to understand exactly what
Sexmix is all about. To get to grips with the track listing you need to have either been there at the time, buying the singles, or have a knowledge or understanding of the boom in multi-format record label marketing in the UK, during the mid-eighties. The subtitle of
Sexmix, ’Archive Tapes and Studio Adventures’ is accurate enough – even if there is nothing previously unreleased – and one big positive is that Salvo/ZTT are still approaching the
Frankie archive intelligently, even if things might get a little diluted along the way. Despite our misgivings, there is a fun and enthusiasm to the approach not witnessed in any previous
Frankie compilation. This release does ultimately have the band’s four best songs in their best setting – the cassette single.
Sexmix is not perfect, but it gets to the heart of the Frankie Goes To Hollywood experience.In summary, a dose of controversy, some fiddling with track listings and a truly superb design and packaging – it feels like 1984 all over again.