Marking a bold capstone to the 40th‑anniversary celebrations, Forbidden Fruit reinvigorates Bronski Beat’s iconic The Age of Consent archive. London Records curates a multi-format journey—digital, crystal-clear vinyl, and extended CD—blending newly commissioned reworks with long-sought treasures to form a vivid, genre-spanning tapestry of sound.
A Respectful Rebirth with Fresh Energy
The remix album stands as a beautiful and loving tribute—preserving the core emotive intensity of the original while injecting renewed depth and vitality. Tracks such as “No More War,” “I Need a Man Blues,” and a stripped-down “Screaming” bring new textures without compromising their emotional weight.
Genre-Bending Sonic Palette
This collection ventures boldly into Hi‑NRG, Italo‑disco, house, dystopian electro, and sultry jazz. Highlights include Gareth Jones’s dark “electrogenetic” take on “Junk,” RSF Metropol’s Italo and NRG twists on “Love and Money” and “Need a Man Blues,” and a sprawling 16‑minute “Ultramix” of I Feel Love / Love to Love You Baby featuring Marc Almond.
Standout Remixes & Features
- Superchumbo’s Super Extended “Why?” with Neil Tennant thrives across formats, moving from Beatport exclusivity to widespread release.
- The extended “Smalltown Boy” remix featuring Perfume Genius and The Knocks brings grandeur to a queer-pop classic.
- Planningtorock’s rework, “Smalltown Boy (The Love That You Need)”, adds a vibrant, electropop-inflected take, injecting bold new color into the album.
Format‑Specific Gems
- The vinyl edition offers seven tracks—for the first time on clear vinyl—some previously unreleased.
- The CD edition adds four bonus tracks (including “No More War” extended, promo dub of “I Feel Love,” stripped “Screaming,” and the Planningtorock cut), enriching the narrative arc of the album.
Final Thoughts
Cohesive, respectful, energetic and daring, Forbidden Fruit achieves a rare feat—honoring the original album’s spirit while electing to explore new sonic frontiers. These new takes bring new depth and energy, and the songs have been treated with the dignity and beauty they deserve.
This remix collection feels less like a mere rehash and more like an evolution—an astute, genre-hopping farewell to The Age of Consent era and a celebratory nod to its lasting impact. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer craving electronic reinvention, Forbidden Fruit offers a resonant, soulful pilgrimage through queer‑electronic history.
