HOT HITS

Like its precursor, Top of the Pops, Hot Hits was the vinyl alternative to the real thing that would prove just as popular. Unlike that series, however, Hot Hits demonstrated a bit more class by hiring proper sound studios (e.g. Abbey Road Studios) and proper musicians and singers to do renditions and imitations of popular songs as close as possible to the original versions, some say better than the Tops series. Some of these session people included musicians like Larry Adler, singers like Tina Charles, David Byron (from Uriah Heep), Daniel Boone, Perry Ford, Dana Gillespie, etc. It is said that the likes of  Elton John and David Bowie worked on some of the songs, probably when they were strapped for cash.

Again, as if to remove itself further from the Tops series, the production team behind Hot Hits also commissioned specially themed cover shoots for all the sleeves, using models in real locations. Indeed, EMI's Music for Pleasure, the label responsible for these fine artefacts, seemed to be sparing no expense, and somehow managed to still keep costs down so that the average retail price was kept to a minimum, around 99 pence. Produced between 1970 to 1973, its popularity, however, would not be as long-lasting, and after only twenty volumes Music for Pleasure discontinued the series.

Like all things going through a retro revival, Hot Hits too has seen renewed interest, encouraging RPM to release a 'best of' compilation CD drawing on all twenty of the above items. This is worth purchasing for the lavish booklet alone, which also gives an interesting account of how the series came about. I thoroughly recommend it, and it can be ordered direct from the retailer at their website: www.rpmrecords.co.uk.

The cat. no. is: RPM504.

My vote for this series is 10 out of 10.

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