Compilation album

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A compilation album is an album (music or spoken-word) featuring tracks from one or multiple recording artists, often culled from a variety of sources (such as studio albums, live albums, singles, demos and outtakes.) The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, source or subject matter.

Contents

[edit] Common types

Some common types of compilation are

  • Single-artist "best of", "singles collection" or "greatest hits" LPs, gathering together an artist's best-known songs. If the artist or group is still recording, it is common practice to include one or more previously unreleased tracks as an incentive for fans of the artist to buy the album, even if they already have the other material on the compilation. See Greatest hits article for more details. Which is based on the compilation.
  • Other single-artist compilations, such as rarities or B-side collections, albums compiled from radio sessions, or collections that combine multiple releases, such as LPs and EPs together on one or more compact discs. These are generally aimed at existing fans of the artist and have little mainstream appeal.
  • Various artist themed compilations, e.g. love songs, Christmas songs, songs featuring a particular instrument (such as saxophone or piano), and countless other variations.
  • Various artist genre compilations, e.g. jazz, synthpop, rock, etc. These may be from the same time period (Year, decade or era, for example), or may incorporate a common theme. An example is a soundtrack.
  • Various artist hit compilations. This has been a very successful part of the album market since the early 1970s. Recent hit singles are gathered together in one place. In the 1970s, these were often single vinyl LPs with ten tracks on each side, and correspondingly low sound quality. In the 1980s, a double album with 7 or 8 tracks on each side became the norm. Now that CDs are the dominant format, these compilations are usually released on one, two, or three CDs with a running time of over 70 minutes each.

[edit] Famous compilation series

[edit] Famous compilation series (Australia)

  • Triple J's Hottest 100 - a selection from the overall poll
  • So Fresh - Top 20 tracks, quarterly, with additional 20 tracks each Summer, comprising the best selling tracks of the year
  • 100% Hits - Top 40 tracks
  • Pepsi More Music - Top 40 tracks
  • Ministry Of Sound Annuals - dance music (yearly)

[edit] See Also

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