Robert Palmer ‎– Addictions Volume 1

Awash with flourishes of so many different genres and styles of music, "Addictions" concentrates on Robert Palmer's commercial phase, spanning 1979 until 1988. Robert Palmer's erratic flitting between blue-eyed soul, R&B, reggae to lo-fi new wave is an eclectic trajectory worth exploring and thankfully this compilation, and its 1992 follow-up, make light work of the task, assembling thirteen tracks that best represent his vacillating nature as an artist. It must be noted that "Addictions" is not aimed at the Palmer devotee, therefore remixes, radio edits and handpicked obscurities are favoured over their original album versions, so, depending on your view of Palmer's consistency as an artist, you would either be better suited delving into his varied discography, from world music to funk, or simply venturing into a sampling of his most accessible output during the 1980s.

"Addictions" is a commercially viable proposition in that it functions as all the Robert Palmer a neophyte could ever need and also as an entry point, but whatever you derive from it in terms of further investment or initiation, this compilation is an exhilarating journey through a diverse succession of tracks, the quality of which does not falter at any point. I would recommend this chronological look at Robert Palmer's foray into adult contemporary mainly to casual fans rather than ardent due to its emphasis on editing the original material for mass consumption, particularly the new version of 1979's "Woke Up Laughing". From lo-fi to pop, there would no stone left unturned if one acquired every single and record in Robert Palmer's crowded discography, but with most of his highlighted and best Island album tracks appearing here in their truncated and therefore tighter forms, I would venture an opinion that this compilation is your best option for a cogent, dependable set of enjoyable compositions that you can revisit readily and repeatedly.

Rating: 5/5

Bruno Tilley did the artwork for the album cover for this and Vol 2

https://www.discogs.com/artist/159338-Bruno-Tilley