This is the second in Spectrum Music's five-volume series of discs recapping the diversity of Britain's singles charts during the mid- to late '80s. Music of the Year 1986 represents perhaps the most balanced of the sets, offering nods to funk, rap, MOR pop, and the last gasps of new wave. It's the latter selections that hold up best in retrospect: atmospheric, tasteful tracks from Chris de Burgh ("The Lady in Red"), ABC ("Ocean Blue"), and the Damned ("Eloise"). For a brisk overview of what was happening, both musically and culturally, in the U.K. in 1986, this is a fun and worthwhile collection, and is especially interesting in the States, where many of these tracks went unnoticed the first time around. ~ Joseph McCombs, All Music Guide