A Synthpop icon, Gary Numan has said that during the 1970s, Ultravox had a significant influence on him, which led to his 1979 number one-charting debut solo album, The Pleasure Principle. A massive compliment, Numan (who once fronted Tubeway Army) even brought on Ultravox’s Multi-Instrumentalist Billy Currie to play on The Pleasure Principle.
Also a major influence on acts like Simple Minds and Duran Duran, you would think that the ‘70s were a successful time for Ultravox, but unfortunately, after releasing three extremely good records between their 1977 self-titled debut, Ha! Ha! Ha! (also from 1977), and Systems of Romance in 1978, the band was dropped from Island Records, and their frontman, John Foxx, departed to go solo. Leaving Ultravox in disarray and on the verge of breaking up, Billy Currie had an ace in his back pocket, asking the versatile Midge Ure to join him with Ultravox as their new singer, a songwriting partner, and second keyboardist. Ure, who had worked with Currie in Visage, accepted the invitation, and Ultravox (now consisting of Currie, Ure, Warren Cann on drums, and Chris Cross on bass) saw their fortunes shift quickly in 1980 with the album Vienna.
Seemingly a perfect fit for one another, Ure was able to grow as a songwriter, display the wide range of his talent on guitar and other instruments, and really blow the top off with his powerful singing voice. All factors that led to Vienna peaking at number 3 on the UK charts, achieving platinum status in that market, while the single “Vienna” peaked at number 2 on the UK charts. A teaming that led to Ultravox’s sustained success through four more studio albums into 1986, they would sell over a million records and score 17 Top 40 singles (seven of which were in the Top 10) in the UK.
An incredible story of a fantastic, unexpected run of success, Ultravox go down as one of the most important Synthpop/New Wave bands of the 1980s. Something to celebrate, amidst it all, in 1984, they put out a greatest hits album called The Collection on November 20, 1984. An album that focused on the Midge Ure years, it consisted of all fourteen of Ultravox’s hit singles through that point with Chrysalis Records, including the standalone single “Love’s Great Adventure” (which was released just a month prior to The Collection). A sensational compilation, it arrived just in time for the Holiday season in 1984 as a great gift option, peaked at number 2 on the UK Album Charts, and eventually sold over two million copies worldwide.
Now, over three decades later, The Collection receives a deluxe edition from Chrysalis Records, featuring many enticing new additions. Again, just in time for Christmas, set for release on December 5, 2025, there is a list of options to consider.
With other Ultravox albums, such as Vienna in 2020, 1981’s Rage In Eden in 2022, 1982’s Quartet in 2023, and 1984’s Lament in 2024, receiving deluxe edition releases, one for The Collection fits right in.
To start with, you have the limited edition four CD two Blu-ray edition with alternative and unreleased versions from 1986 to 2024, 10 newly created extended versions (mixed by Midge Ure, Steven Wilson, Blank & Jones, among others), with a collection of Ultravox B-sides, plus the Blu-Rays with all the band’s eye-catching music videos, a newly created music video for “Loves Great Adventure” (constructed of unseen material from the original video shoot), as well as their BBC TV Top of the Pops and live performances. Limited to 5,000 copies worldwide, it also includes two 20-page booklets with tons of cool photographs and lyrics.
There is also the 2LP black vinyl, newly remastered and cut at half-speed, featuring all fourteen tracks, and a 4LP clear vinyl set of The Collection II, including eleven new tracks, such as remixes, live cuts, and more.
Finally, there is a standalone single CD edition, which is presented in a digipak with the bonus of five previously unreleased tracks, including radio edits of 1986’s “All Fall Down” and 2012’s “Brilliant.”
With all 2025 deluxe editions of The Collection featuring remasters of the original songs, each is a great purchase option depending on your preferences and budget. However, if you adore this band and their unique music, you are going to want to try and get your hands on one of those beautiful limited CD/Blu-ray copies before they are gone. All sounding as great as ever with bonus material and remastering, Cryptic Rock gives the deluxe editions of The Collection 5 out of 5 stars.
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