Martin Hannett

The name of legendary producer Martin Hannett is more or less synonymous with Joy Division, but Martin: The Work of Martin Hannett, a compilation of some of his better productions, demonstrates that he played a major role in the development of many other bands of varying styles. Released by Factory within a year of Hannett's death, the proceeds went to his family. Beginning with his first major production on Buzzcocks' Spiral Scratch EP ("Breakdown") and concluding with one of his final collaborations with the High ("More"), the disc shows Hannett's versatility through punk (Slaughter & the Dogs' "Cranked Up Really High," another early production), post-punk (Joy Division's "She's Lost Control," A Certain Ratio's "Do the Du"), and dance (New Order's "Everything's Gone Green," the Happy Mondays' "Lazyitis"). And what might be a major treat for some is the inclusion of his production for U2's first single, "11 O'Clock Tick Tock," which makes the disc one of two known sources to find the studio version of the song; it can also be found on 1998's And Here Is the Young Man, another Hannett tribute released on Debutante. (Rumor has it that Hannett was supposed to produce U2's Boy, but he pulled out in lieu of friend Ian Curtis' death.) Although there is a fair amount of variety scattered throughout the disc, there's a number of regrettable omissions, perhaps the result of logistics in some cases. Some great work with the Stone Roses, Magazine, and ESG goes overlooked, and there are surprising gaps with his work with Factory artists like the Durutti Column, the Names, and Crispy Ambulance. Nonetheless, it's a great listen throughout, showing that Hannett was anything but a one-trick pony in the production seat. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi