This is how you do a compilation. Immaculate Collection is the definitive collection of Madonna's greatest '80s hits: "Holiday," "Lucky Star," "Like A Virgin," "Into the Groove," Express Yourself," "Like A Prayer," "Vogue"... Trust, they're all there. In addition, the LP, originally released in 1990, includes two new tracks, "Justify My Love" and "Rescue Me." What's remarkable about the album, in addition to the fuego tracklisting, is the fact that the tracks, with the exception of the two new aforesaid tracks, have been remixed by Shep Pettibone. The legendary behind-the-boards figure left the vocals intact but switched up things here and there (mostly to achieve the Q Sound, which is an algorithm that creates 3D aural experiences); the musical backdrop to "Like A Prayer" and "Express yourself" are different than the singles versions and some tempos have been altered. Regardless, Pettibone's touch renders better or at the least, just-as-good versions of these '80s gems, and this is a welcome 25th anniversary pressing of the album on limited-edition, blue-white marble and gold vinyl.

• limited 25th anniversary edition
• blue / white marble + gold vinyl
• gatefold sleeve
• printed inserts
• music label: Rhino 1990 / 2017

reviewed by enbee 02/2017