For those unaware, 999/Separates is a superb 36 track 2CD digipak covering the first two albums by 1977 Punk Rock legends 999.

999 are an English punk rock band, formed in London in December 1976. From 1976 to 1985, their line-up consisted of Nick Cash (vocals, guitar), Guy Days (lead guitar), Jon Watson (bass guitar) and Pablo LaBritain (drums).

LaBritain was temporarily replaced in 1980 by drummer Paul Edward (aka Ed Case) while he recovered from a motor accident. Bassist Jon Watson left the band in 1985 and was replaced by Danny Palmer, who was succeeded by Arturo Bassick in 1991.

Between 1978 and 2007, 999 released fourteen singles and twelve studio albums. Five of the singles released by 999 between 1978 and 1981 charted within the Top 75 in the UK Singles Chart, with one further single in 1978, Homicide, charting within the Top 40.

In addition, as a result of extensive touring in the United States in the early 1980s, the band’s third and fourth studio albums, The Biggest Prize in Sport and Concrete, each charted on the U.S. Billboard 200.

Disc 1 is the self-titled debut album which reached No.53 in the UK National Chart and it includes the singles ‘I’m Alive’, ‘Nasty Nasty’, ‘Emergency’ and ‘Me And My Desire’.

Disc 2 is the ‘Separates’ album which features the Top 40 single ‘Homicide’ plus the anthemic ‘Feelin’ Alright With The Crew’ 45.

999:
1. Me And My Desire
2. Chicane Destination
3. Crazy
4. Your Number Is My Number
5. Hit Me
6. I’m Alive
7. Titanic (My Over) Reaction
8. Pick It Up
9. Emergency
10. No Pity
11. Direct Action Briefing
12. Nobody Knows
13. I’m Alive (Single Version) [BONUS TRACK]
14. Quite Disappointing [BONUS TRACK]
15. Nasty! Nasty! [BONUS TRACK]
16. No Pity (Single Version) [BONUS TRACK]
17. My Street Stinks [BONUS TRACK]
18. Me And My Desire (Single Version) [BONUS TRACK]
19. You Can’t Buy Me [BONUS TRACK]

A truly neglected classic, 999’s eponymous debut album was issued in March, 1978, on the back of three stunning 45s - the romping I’m Alive, the anthemic Nasty! Nasty!, and the oddly ambitious Me and My Desire. The first, and last of these appeared on the album, together with the summer smash that never was, June, 1978’s, Emergency, and it is with these tracks as its benchmarks that 999 should be judged, in my humble opinion.

A ferocious live band, the group harnessed every iota of their stage performance for the studio, turning in an album that zips past at the speed of light, in a blur of chant-worthy choruses and pogo-able riffs; even better, three bonus tracks round up the absent Nasty! Nasty! 45, plus a pair of period B-sides, to deliver a picture perfect portrait of 999’s first year.

There would, of course, be many more to come, and here on this first disc we also now get seven varying in quality bonus tracks, the stand outs for me being the propulsive My Street Stinks and the impassioned You Can’t Buy Me.

SEPARATES:
1. Homicide
2. Tulse Hill Night
3. Rael Rean
4. Let’s Face It
5. Crime Part 1 / Part 2
6. Feelin’ Alright With The Crew
7. Out Of Reach
8. Subterfuge
9. Wolf
10. Brightest View
11. High Energy Plan
12. Waiting [BONUS TRACK]
13. Action [BONUS TRACK]
14. Homicide (Single Version) [BONUS TRACK]
15. Soldier [BONUS TRACK]
16. Quite Disappointing (Live - Front Row Festival) [BONUS TRACK]
17. Crazy (Live – Front Row Festival) [BONUS TRACK]

From the opening blare of Homicide - 999’s sixth single and first British hit - it was apparent that Separates was to be no ordinary punk second album. Almost without exception, every other band in the pack had faltered or fallen when it came time to delivering their sophomore effort.

999, however, simply looked back at what they’d already accomplished, then made certain that they repeated it, with added improvements all over the show. So, the tunes are tighter, the riffs are crunchier, the choruses are even more memorable, and the entire album - released just six months after its 999 predecessor - stands among the most timeless artifacts in all punk history; in my humble opinion.

Of the seven now-included bonus tracks, stand outs include the single B-Side Soldier - which has to be among the finest tracks in the band’s entire repertoire - and both the fervent Waiting and the anthemic Action are actually pulled from a free 12 inch single given away back in the day to fan club members on the band’s own LaBritain label.

Lyrics to all the songs are included in the booklet along with pictures of all relevant record sleeves.

Vocalist Nick Cash and guitarist Guy Days still lead 999 to this day, some 47 years after first forming, and are regulars at the major European Punk festivals.

999/Separates 2CD [Official Trailer]

Official Purchase Link