To mark four decades since their seismic debut, London Records wraps up Bronski Beat’s 40th Anniversary celebrations with a kaleidoscopic celebration of sound and soul: ‘Forbidden Fruit – The Age Of Consent Remixed’, out now on crystal-clear vinyl, digipak CD, and digital formats.
Led by the electrifying Jimmy Somerville, Bronski Beat’s original run from 1984–85 redefined the musical and social fabric of the era. Tracks like “Smalltown Boy” became anthems of protest and liberation, blending raw emotion with shimmering synths. ‘Forbidden Fruit’ draws deep from this well, offering modern reworks that honour the past while pulsing with futuristic energy.
Superchumbo unleashes a previously unheard super-extended mix of “Why?” featuring Neil Tennant, infusing classic activism with club-ready euphoria. A fresh extended version of “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat & The Knocks, featuring Perfume Genius, brings cinematic vulnerability to the dancefloor. Gareth Jones turns “Junk” into an eerie Depeche Mode-esque descent, while Kinky Roland dives into retro and Hi-NRG with glittering RSF remixes of “Love and Money” and “Need A Man Blues”.
The long-rumoured 16-minute mix of “I Feel Love / Love To Love You Baby”—featuring Marc Almond—finally emerges in full technicolor glory, rebuilt from the archives as “I Feel Love (Ultramix)” by Ted Carfrae and Barney Ashton-Bullock. Marc Almond also lends his velvet vocals to a moody reimagining of “Johnny Remember Me”, awash in lounge noir courtesy of Christopher Frost.
CD-Only Bonus Tracks Collectors rejoice—four exclusive tracks offer further depth:
“No More War (Extended Remix)” crafted solely from original stems
Planningtorock’s lush rework of “Smalltown Boy”
The rare “I Feel Love (Promo Dub Mix ’85)”
“Screaming (Stripped Mix)”, a haunting nod to Somerville’s early documentary performance
‘Forbidden Fruit’ isn’t just a sonic update, it’s a deeply layered, celebratory reflection on queer resilience, artistic legacy, and electronic innovation. It closes the loop that began with Hundreds and Thousands, capturing the fire, fragility, and fearless politics that still echo today.
Track listings:
CD
CAT# : LMS1725439
UPC : 5061017254393
WHY? (SUPERCHUMBO SUPER EXTENDED MIX FT. NEIL TENNANT)
SMALLTOWN BOY (BRONSKI BEAT & THE KNOCKS FT. PERFUME GENIUS - EXTENDED MIX)
JUNK (AN ELECTROGENETIC EXTENDED REMIX BY GARETH JONES)
LOVE AND MONEY (RSF METROPOL ITALO EXTENDED REMIX)
NEED A MAN BLUES (RSF METROPOL NRG EXTENDED REMIX)
I FEEL LOVE / LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY (ULTRAMIX)
JOHNNIE REMEMBER ME (A JAZZ AFFAIR)
NO MORE WAR (EXTENDED REMIX)
SMALLTOWN BOY (PLANNINGTOROCK’S 'THE LOVE THAT YOU NEED' REWORK)
I FEEL LOVE (PROMO DUB MIX ‘85)
SCREAMING (STRIPPED MIX)
LP (BLACK VINYL)
CAT# : LMS1725440
UPC : 5061017254409
SIDE ONE
WHY? (SUPERCHUMBO SUPER EXTENDED MIX FT. NEIL TENNANT)
SMALLTOWN BOY (BRONSKI BEAT & THE KNOCKS FT. PERFUME GENIUS - EXTENDED MIX)
JUNK (AN ELECTROGENETIC REMIX BY GARETH JONES)
LOVE AND MONEY (RSF METROPOL ITALO REMIX)
SIDE TWO
NEED A MAN BLUES (RSF METROPOL NRG REMIX)
I FEEL LOVE / LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY (ULTRAMIX)
JOHNNIE REMEMBER ME (A JAZZ AFFAIR)
Out now. Available to order here.
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