LOS ANGELES (BMG) - 'Billy Ocean: The Ultimate Collection,' set for July 13 release by BMG Strategic Marketing Group, gathers Billy Ocean's greatest hits on one CD, providing his first complete career retrospective.
Selling over 30 million albums worldwide, Billy Ocean was an integral part of the 80's; indeed to many his songs defined the era. His calypso and soul heritage combined with his love for pop groups such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones enabled him to produce a sound of his own and capture a decade.
Ocean's string of hit songs stretches back to the 70's with classics like "Love Really Hurts Without You."
In 1984, he secured his first million-selling single with the Grammy-winning "Caribbean Queen." Then came "Suddenly," the first of his killer ballads. The single went top 10 and the album - also titled Suddenly - spent a year on the U.S. charts, achieving triple-Platinum sales.
The foundations were set, and the following years saw Billy release hit after hit with songs including "When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going" "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)," "Love Is Forever," "Loverboy," "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" "Love Zone" and "The Colour Of Love."
Billy Ocean's contribution to the world of music is significant, and his records have influenced many of today's R&B artists. R. Kelly, who produced two tracks found on this collection, has long admired the way Billy was able to mix the more emotive soul style with a crossover pop and rock vibe and considers him to be an ultimate pop idol.
Highlights:
* 18 classic tracks including Ocean's best-known quintessential Eighties hits "Caribbean Queen," "When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going" and "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car"
* First compilation to cover Billy's complete chart career, including several long out-of-print and sought-after tracks
* CD booklet features stunning artwork
Track Listing:
1. When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Pop No2, AC No2, R&B No6, Dance No31)
2. Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run) (Pop No1, AC No7, R&B No1, Dance No1)
3. There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry) (Pop No1, AC No1, R&B No1)
4. Loverboy (Pop No2, R&B No20, Dance No1)
5. Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car (Pop No1, AC No5, R&B No1, Dance No25)
6. Suddenly (Pop No4, AC No1, R&B No5)
7. Love Is Forever (Pop No16, AC No1)
8. Mystery Lady (Pop No24, AC No5, R&B No10)
9. Love Zone (Pop No10, AC No5, R&B No1, Dance No43)
10. The Long And Winding Road (AC No24)
11. The Colour Of Love (Pop No17, AC No2, R&B No10)
12. Everything's So Different Without You (AC No43, R&B No91) - Cowritten and Produced by R. Kelly
13. Can We Go 'Round Again - Cowritten and Produced by R. Kelly
14. Love Really Hurts Without You (Pop No22, Dance No8)
15. L.O.D. (Love On Delivery) (R&B No55)
16. Red Light Spells Danger
17. License To Chill (Pop No32, R&B No33)
18. Nights (Feel Like Getting' Down) (R&B No7, Dance No4)
