For those not in the know, Billy Ocean (actually born Leslie Sebastian Charles) is a Trinidadian-English recording artist who had a string of R&B international pop hits in the 1970s and 1980s.

Indeed he was the most popular Trinidad–British R&B singer-songwriter of the early to mid-1980s.

After scoring his first four UK Top 20 successes, seven years passed before he accumulated a series of transatlantic successes, including three US No. 1's.

His 1985 hit 'When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going' reached No. 1 in the UK and No. 2 in the US and in 1985, Ocean won the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his worldwide hit 'Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run)' and in 1987 was nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Male Artist.

His 1988 hit 'Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car' also reached No. 1 in the US and No. 3 in the UK and his 1986 hit 'There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)' also reached No. 1 in the US.

Releasing August 30th, 2019 via Cherry Pop Records (UK), Billy Ocean: Remixes and Rarities is a quite brilliant 2CD that further promotes the labels Remixes & Rarities series.

This time focusing on the many special and sought-after versions of tracks from everyone’s favorite Anglo-Trinidadian pop superstar, Billy Ocean, the 2CD album features 23 alternative versions of some of Billy’s best known tracks.

CD 1:
1. 'When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Extended Version)'
2. 'European Queen (No More Love On The Run) (Special Mix)'
3. 'City Limit (Alternative Version)'
4. 'Love Really Hurts Without You (1986 Dance Mix)'
5. 'Mystery Lady (Club Mix)'
6. 'Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car (Extended Version)'
7. 'Loverboy (Dub Mix)'
8. 'Are You Ready (12" Version)'
9. 'Licence to Chill (Extended Version)'
10. 'Pressure (UK 12" Extended Mix)'
11. 'When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Instrumental)'
12. 'Love Zone (Extended Version)'

With a number of these wickedly vibrant versions making their first ever appearance on CD here on this new 2CD set, the first disc opens with the always-great to hear 'When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Extended Version)' and that's backed by the punchy original version of 'European Queen (No More Love On The Run) (Special Mix)' and then Billy's underrated early smooth R&B classic 'City Limit (Alternative Version).'

One of my all-time favorites from Billy is up next in 'Love Really Hurts Without You (1986 Dance Mix)' and that's backed by the sultry, one-on-one soulful R&B of the finger-snappin' 'Mystery Lady (Club Mix).' The massively popular dancefloor smash 'Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car (Extended Version)' is next and that's backed by the synth-bounce brilliance of 'Loverboy (Dub Mix).'

The Jackson-esque dancefloor vibe of 'Are You Ready (12" Version)' is another underrated gem from Billy which is why I'm so very happy to find it here amongst his more upbeat pop chart hits and that's followed by the funky two-step of 'Licence to Chill (Extended Version).'

The Caribbean hipsway of 'Pressure (UK 12" Extended Mix)' is yet another delight to hear and then the first disc rounds out with another version of 'When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Instrumental),' and then the slap bass of the mid-tempo love song 'Love Zone (Extended Version)' is showcased.

CD 2:
1. 'African Queen (No More Love on the Run) (New Extended Mix)'
2. 'American Hearts (12" Version)'
3. 'Dance Floor (Extended Mix)'
4. 'When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Club Mix)'
5. 'I Sleep Much Better (In Someone Else's Bed) (Extended Version)'
6. 'Love Really Hurts Without You (Dub Mix)'
7. 'Bittersweet (Extended Version)'
8. 'Pick Up the Pieces (Put It Back) (Reese Club Riot Mix)'
9. 'Loverboy (Extended Club Remix)'
10. 'Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car (Instrumental)'
11. 'When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (7th Heaven Club Mix)'

The second disc opens up with an extended moment of the worldly recognized saxophone intro to 'African Queen (No More Love on the Run) (New Extended Mix),' before we get another burst of Billy from back in his R&B solo days on the free flowing 'American Hearts (12" Version).'

A gentle funky hipsway is evoked in Billy's lesser known 'Dance Floor (Extended Mix)' before we get another version of 'When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Club Mix).' Next Billy brings us some lo-fi Hip Hop vibes on 'I Sleep Much Better (In Someone Else's Bed) (Extended Version)' with the powerfully fabulous 'Love Really Hurts Without You (Dub Mix)' along next.

The synth upbeat love song hit 'Bittersweet (Extended Version)' is then backed by the lesser known 'Pick Up the Pieces (Put It Back) (Reese Club Riot Mix)' and then another version of 'Loverboy (Extended Club Remix).'

This simply divine new 2CD collection of remixes and rarities then rounds out with another 'Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car (Instrumental)' with yet another 'When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (7th Heaven Club Mix)' bringing the show to a close.

Although sadly missing a couple of Billy's all-time greatest hits, 'Red Light Spells Danger' and 'The Colour Of Love,' this brand new 2CD set Billy Ocean: Remixes & Rarities is still a great rounding up of his songs; all extended, expanded, or done alternatively, of course.

Official 2CD Purchase Link

www.cherryred.co.uk