Over the years since the creation of Jive Bunny, the production team behind the concept seemed to have come full circle with their seemingly never-ending musical journey. As the title suggests, "The Ultimate 80s Party" is their first venture into that decade, and from a music fan's point of view, this is where Jive Bunny finally end their 'novelty' period. Incidentally, this is only their second full-price CD in almost 11 years which proves the quality of the product is higher than usual.

With the exception of the first three tracks, this album only concentrates on the years between 1980-1985. (Dare I say there'll be an "Ultimate 80's Party Volume 2" to follow?). However, what you're left with is 27 of the very BEST chart hits from the early 80s.

Naturally, they use 'sound-a-likes' yet again, although I'm pretty sure a few of the 'originals' were used as some performers sound uncannily like who they're supposed to be. If so, that's a first for a Jive Bunny album.

All the 'big' hits of the first half of the 80s appear on this CD. Artists as diverse as Michael Jackson ("Billy Jean"), Madonna ("Material Girl","Express Yourself"), and Prince ("1999") are all 'big enough' to sell this album on their own. However, our own home-grown talent isn't ignored with contributions from the likes of FGTH ("Two Tribes"), Wham! ("I'm Your Man"), Spandau Ballet ("Gold"), Madness ("Baggy Trousers") and Adam And The Ants ("Stand And Deliver").

Quite remarkably (for a Jive Bunny album at least), there doesn't seem to be a 'duff' track on this medley, and if there is a song you don't recognise, then I'm afraid to say you don't know your music very well. Here you'll find other great 80s classics like "Walking On Sunshine", "Footloose", "White Wedding", "Girls On Film", "Kids In America" and "Walk Like An Egyptian" amongst countless others.

It has to be said that these aren't EXACT versions of those 80s classics, but then, this IS a Jive Bunny album I suppose. That said, even the continuous dance beat played throughout to accompany each track doesn't take anything away from the original recordings. And from a Jive Bunny perspective, that's almost unheard of. "The Ultimate 80s Party" may NOT be the best Jive Bunny album on the market, yet it's standing head and shoulders above any of their other 'medley' CD's which are (more times than not) pretty average affairs. I'd have liked =to have seen more of the later 80s classics included, still, after listening to this CD time and time again, I'm hoping there'll be that second volume out soon.

"The Ultimate 80s Party" will definitely appeal to Jive Bunny fans, and those who love 80s music but are fed-up of buying the same old, ten-a-penny compilations that have swamped the market recently.

Jon.