Alison Moyet does not sing; she leaps. Her voice moves from a haunted whisper in "Blow Wind Blow" to a gut-wrenching belt in "Rise." In a compressed MP3 (320kbps or lower), the transients—the sharp attack of her consonants and the decay of her vibrato—are blurred. In 16-bit / 44.1kHz FLAC (or the high-resolution 24-bit variants available), you hear the texture of her vocal cords. You hear the breath before the storm.
The 1980s were notorious for over-processed bass drums and synth pads. The FLAC version of the 12” remix of “Is This Love?” untangles the low end. You can distinctly hear the bass synth’s pitch modulation separate from the kick drum’s attack. On standard streaming or compressed files, these elements blur into a muddy throb.
The 2016 Deluxe Edition is a 2-disc (or 2-part digital) treasure trove. For those searching for , you are looking for the exact 1:1 digital clone of the master tape. Alison Moyet - Raindancing -Deluxe 2016- -FLAC-
Have you compared the 2016 FLAC to the original CD? Share your listening notes in the comments below. For more audiophile deep-dives into 1980s remasters, subscribe to our newsletter.
For years, CD pressings of Raindancing were considered harsh and fatiguing on the ears. This is precisely why the is so significant. It addresses the sonic flaws of the original master while expanding the package into a comprehensive archive. Alison Moyet does not sing; she leaps
For listeners seeking this specific version, the 2016 Deluxe Edition in FLAC provides a bit-perfect copy of the CD audio. Unlike standard MP3s, the lossless format ensures that the full dynamic range of Moyet’s contralto voice and the layered 80s production are preserved without any compression artifacts. track-by-track breakdown
For fans, the inclusion of non-album singles like “The Unmentionables” and the extended dance mix of “Weak in the Presence of Beauty” provides a complete picture of Moyet’s 1987-88 era. The liner notes and rare photos add scholarly context, framing the album not as a failure but as a transitional artifact. You hear the breath before the storm
For the casual fan, the standard CD or streaming version may suffice. But for the student of 80s pop production, the audiophile, and the dedicated Moyet admirer, the FLAC version of Raindancing (Deluxe Edition 2016) is essential. It honors the album’s strengths, forgives its excesses, and finally allows Alison Moyet’s voice to fill the room as it was always meant to: without compromise, without loss, and with all the raw, soulful power that made her a star. In the end, this release is a testament to the idea that sometimes, an album doesn’t need to be remixed or reimagined—it simply needs to be heard , fully and faithfully, for the first time.
Released in 1987, Raindancing arrived at a tumultuous time for Moyet. Following the massive success of her solo debut Alf (1984), she faced the classic dilemma: replicate the formula or evolve. Moyet chose evolution, moving away from the purely pop-soul sound of hits like "Invisible" and "Love Resurrection" toward a glossier, more produced 80s pop sound.