Cure - Mixed Up (2018 Half-Speed Master)

The 1990 Mixed Up collection features many original extended versions of The Cure's biggest singles at the time. Highlights include the 12" mixes of "Love Song", "Close To Me", "Fascination", "Never Enough" and "Inbetween Days".

With the Disintegration album and its accompanying global Prayer Tour, 1989 had delivered a triumphant end to the 80s, but the first year of the 90s found The Cure unexpectedly unsettled.

Determined to keep up the momentum of the band’s ongoing success, but knowing there were internal tensions to address before heading back into the studio, Robert Smith decided on a different course of action; curating an album of the band’s rarer 12” mixes. As work on Mixed Up progressed, Smith realized that some of The Cure’s earlier remixes didn’t stand up to the newer ones.

Robert singles out Brian 'Chuck’ New’s dub style remix of "Pictures Of You" as the one that inspired him to take a more adventurous path. "That mix turned the music on its head, but at the same time left the essential heart of the song intact. As soon as I heard it, I updated the entire 'Mixed Up' plan. My revised ambition was to compile an album that was contemporary without being dated, immediate without being obvious, musically inspiring, rhythmically exciting and sonically great!"

Two tracks on the album, "A Forest" and "The Walk", were not just remixed but entirely re-recorded, as the multi-track tapes for both songs had long been lost. Both songs were reconstructed in the studio with producer Mark Saunders, using original instruments and gear.

Heavyweight double vinyl produced by Rhino / Fiction Records in 2018. Half Speed Mastered by Robert Smith and Tim Young at Metropolis Studios. Gatefold sleeve. UK Import.

TRACKLISTING:

SIDE A

1. Lullaby (Extended Mix)
2. Close To Me (Closer Mix)
3. Fascination Street (Extended Mix)

SIDE B

1. The Walk (Everything Mix)
2. Lovesong (Extended Mix)
3. A Forest (Tree Mix)

SIDE C

1. Pictures Of You (Extended Dub Mix)
2. Hot Hot Hot!!! (Extended Mix)
3. Why Can't I Be You? (Extended Mix)

SIDE D

1. The Caterpillar (Flicker Mix)
2. In Between Days (Shiver Mix)
3. Never Enough (Big Mix)