James - Justhipper: Complete Sire & Blanco Y Negro Recordings 1986-1988

Digitally remastered two CD collection. Formed in Whalley Range, Manchester in 1982, James evolved into one of the UK's most successful Indie bands, filling stadiums and regularly troubling the charts with their unique brand of arty, tuneful, intelligent pop. To date, they have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide. After two singles on Manchester's Factory label, James signed to Sire Records in 1986. The major label issued the band's debut album Stutter, prefaced by non-album single 'Chain Mail', as the band were touted by the press as the next Smiths. After moving to another Warners imprint, Blanco y Negro, James released their second album - the more traditionally melodic Strip-Mine - in 1988. Single 'What For' should have been a massive hit but it wasn't. Despite being lauded by some quarters of the music press, James were eventually dropped by the label. After a self-financed label, they signed to Rough Trade and enjoyed indie hits with 'Come Home' and 'Sit Down'. Then Madchester arrived, James joined another major, Fontana, and the rest is history... JUSTHIPPER is the first compilation encompassing all of James' recordings for the Warners group across the mid-to-late 80s. Both albums have been remastered and are joined by all of the band's non-album singles A's and B's and different mixes. The package ends with a rare, promotional-only interview with the band. Issued in July 1986, and fueled by enthusiastic reviews, Stutter reached #68 in the UK charts. The album was recorded at Liverpool's Amazon Studios and produced by Lenny Kaye, guitarist with the Patti Smith Group. In 2007, The Guardian included Stutter in their 1000 Albums To Hear Before You Die. After protracted recording sessions in 1987 at Rockfield Studios with Hugh Jones at the helm, followed by a remix, James' second album Strip-Mine was finally issued in September 1988. Promoted by the single 'What For', the LP peaked at No. 90 in the UK charts. Housed in a deluxe foldout Digipak, this is the ultimate tribute to the early years of James.