While Universal released 10CD singles and rarities boxset Trials Of Eyeliner in 2016, Marc Almond is still understandably frustrated that his individual solo albums have been dealt with in a fairly haphazard fashion over the years.
Marc has been on various record labels since Soft Cell split in 1984, making it tricky to herd his music into a coherent reissue campaign. “My music is spread everywhere,” he sighs. “Over the years, I’ve tried to get it all under one umbrella, but Cherry Red, Universal and now BMG variously own my music.
“Record companies don’t really exist anymore, as everyone is owned by everyone else, which makes it really hard to organise everything.”
Cherry Red confirmed to Classic Pop they’re planning a reissue series later this year of the albums they own by Marc, but his work with Marc And The Mambas disappeared altogether from Apple Music in November. “Did it really?” tuts Marc. “Some of my records aren’t on streaming sites at all, like Absinthe and Jacques. The ex-manager [Some Bizarre founder Stevo] has his claws in those. I’m tempted just to take them away from him, put them up on Spotify and Apple Music and see what happens! I do think all the music should at least be available. Part of the problem is that I don’t even really know what Spotify is. I try, but I find it very hard to be in love with Spotify.”
In 2017, the compilation LP Hits And Pieces: The Best Of Soft Cell & Marc Almond, debuted at No.7 in the UK album chart. A few months later, his solo album Shadows And Reflections entered the UK chart at No.14. Quite a year.