For those not in the know, The Nolans are an Irish girl group who formed in 1974 as The Nolan Sisters, before changing their name in 1980.

They are best known for their hit single "I'm In the Mood for Dancing". Released in December 1979, the song reached number three in the UK in February 1980 and topped the Japanese charts in November 1980.

Five of the sisters, Anne, Denise, Maureen, Linda, and Bernie, became regular guest performers on numerous television shows in the UK in the 1970s and supported Frank Sinatra on his 1975 European tour.

Denise left for a solo career in 1978 and youngest sister Coleen, who had previously made occasional appearances (including appearing in the I'm In the Mood for Dancing video), became a full-time member in 1980, replacing Anne.

Between 1979 and 1982, the group had seven UK top 20 hits, including "Gotta Pull Myself Together" (1980) "Who's Gonna Rock You" (1980), "Attention to Me" (1981) and "Chemistry" (1981). They were particularly successful in Japan and won the 1981 Tokyo Music Festival with the song "Sexy Music".

Anne returned to the group in 1982, before Linda left in 1983 and the group went on to win a Japanese Grammy (Tokubetsu Kikaku Shō) in 1992. Coleen, then Bernie, both left the group and from 1995 Anne and Maureen continued as a duo, before recruiting Julia Duckworth and Anne's daughter Amy Wilson in 2000.

The group officially disbanded in 2005, with Maureen Nolan having been a permanent member for 31 years. The sisters have pursued varying solo careers in acting, music and television presenting in the UK and in 2009, Maureen, Linda, Bernie, and Coleen Nolan, reformed for a 25-date concert tour of the UK and Ireland, spawning an album and DVD.

In September 2012, a farewell tour was announced, to take place from 15 February to 14 March 2013. The line-up would be the same as for the 2009 tour. However, on 28 October it was announced that the 2013 Farewell Tour had been postponed as a result of Bernie's breast cancer resurgence.

Sadly though, in early in 2013, the tour was cancelled completely as Bernie Nolan succumbed to metastatic cancer on 4 July 2013.

Releasing July 27th, 2018, Hot Shot Records (aka Cherry Red Records UK) will release the fantastic greatest hits package The Nolans - Chemistry: The Ultimate Collection as a brilliant CD+DVD set.

Newly remastered and presented in a super-jewel case complete with an interview with Anne Nolan, the collection is a must for all Pop, Soul and Disco fans.

CD:
1. "DRESSED TO KILL"
2. "CHEMISTRY"
3. "WHO’S GONNA ROCK YOU"
4. "I’M IN THE MOOD FOR DANCING"
5. "ATTENTION TO ME"
6. "EVERY HOME SHOULD HAVE ONE"
7. "DON’T LOVE ME TOO HARD"
8. "DON’T MAKE WAVES"
9. "SPIRIT, BODY AND SOUL"
10. "GOTTA PULL MYSELF TOGETHER"
11. "DRAGONFLY"
12. "SEXY MUSIC"
13. "CRASHING DOWN"
14. "HOW DO I SURVIVE"
15. "LEAD ME ON"
16. "EVERY LITTLE THING"
17. "I’M NEVER GONNA LET YOU BREAK MY HEART AGAIN"
18. "IT COULD HAVE BEEN YOUR LOVE TOO"
19. "A SIMPLE CASE OF LOVING YOU"
20. "TAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT"
21. "DRESSED TO KILL (12″ EXTENDED DANCE MIX)" - Bonus Track

DVD: (PAL Region 0)
1. "I’M IN THE MOOD FOR DANCING" (VIDEO CLIP, 1979)
2. "GOTTA PULL MYSELF TOGETHER" (VIDEO CLIP, 1980)
3. "WHO’S GONNA ROCK YOU" (VIDEO CLIP, 1980)
4. "ATTENTION TO ME" (VIDEO CLIP, 1981)
5. "SEXY MUSIC" (VIDEO CLIP, 1981)
6. "CHEMISTRY" (VIDEO CLIP, 1981)
7. "DON’T LOVE ME TOO HARD" (VIDEO CLIP, 1982)
8. "DRAGONFLY" (VIDEO CLIP, 1982)

The Robin Smith-produced, and totally CHIC-esque "Dressed To Kill" (1983) kicks things off here, and, for me, given that there is a 12" Extended Remix of it that rounds the CD out, is the most perfect track to do so. For, as I myself go through ALL my 12" Single vinyl's, box after box, playing them all (A and B sides), the last box housed the 12" Single of this very same song!

After that song comes the album title, the fun and bouncy, sing-along sweetness of "Chemistry" (UK #15) and that's backed seamlessly by both "Who's Gonna Rock You" (co-written by Billy Ocean, #12), and their massive hit "I'm In the Mood For Dancing." Peaking at #3 in early 1980, just watch the video of them performing the song on the DVD that accompanies this collection. I dare you not to be hip swayin' before you're halfway through the bloody catchy chorus!

"Attention To Me" (#9) is one of the shortest tracks, but yet another defining musical pop moment for the Nolans (now recording and performing as a quartet), and that's backed by one of their soulful covers, in this instance, a rather delightful "Every Home Should Have One" (Patti Austin). The pop soul of "Don’t Love Me Too Hard" (#14) sees our beloved dancing-in-formation-at-all-times quartet back again, and that's followed by the always-delightful, and soothing to hear, "Spirit, Body and Soul" (#34).

Another short track comes up next in the form of, for me, one of their best, popiest, and most entertaining singles, "Gotta Pull Myself Together" (#9). Just relistening to it this afternoon whilst reviewing this new CD release is like Heaven on a stick for me!

Moving on and next up is "Dragonfly." Produced this time by Tim Friese-Greene, who was responsible for the recent success of that time of Tight Fit, the album the track came from sadly peaked at #52, but the group were back to being a five-piece; with the return of former member, Anne Nolan.

Their massive early '80s International hit, "Sexy Music" is up next and a true dancefloor gem if ever there was, and that's backed by their 1982 hit from the album Portrait, the funky bass line back beat of "Crashing Down." A couple of covers are next in the shape of both "How Do I Survive" (Amy Holland) and "Lead Me On" (Maxine Nightingale), with another cut from Portrait, the tender ballad "Every Little Thing" along next.

Showing that the band couldn't put a foot wrong in the single-releasing industry, up next is "I'm Never Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again," simply one of the best lyrical ballads of its time.

The album then, sadly, as I could listen to these gals all day long (for it sure puts you in a great mood and wonderful frame of mind to enjoy your day and whatever you are attempting to do, believe me!), rounds out with another ballad in the shape of "I Could Have Been Your Love Too," and then backs that up with the R&B beauty "A Simple Case Of Loving You," another CHIC-esque approach on "Take It Through The Night," and then the aforementioned "Dressed To Kill (12" Extended Remix)."

The Nolan Sisters @ Facebook!

Official 'Chemistry: The Ultimate Collection' [CD+DVD] Purchase Link

www.NolanSisters.com