“If Anne Pigalle provided the final, torch‑lit monologue of ZTT’s first great era, then Act were the epilogue — the last fully staged production before the label stepped into a different decade and a different identity.”
The ZTT Collectors Page on Facebook is throwing up some great insight, as well as some musical gems. I wouldn’t claim that I’m a ZTT collector; G Force knitwear and Forest retro kits are bothering my bank account more than rare mid 80’s 12 inches. But Act were a new one on me.
There’s a three hour plus compilation on Spotify. I thought I would give a few tracks a listen on Thursday morning. A couple of hours later and I still hadn’t come up for air.
At a push, Propaganda were my fave ZTT artist. Frankie were the BALLS, Art of Noise in the original guise were the oddities. The brief Grace Jones flirtation is pop perfection.
Overlaying all ZTT artists for this period was the hybrid aesthetics of Trevor Horn’s crisp, industrial production, and Paul Morley’s, ahem, artistic vision.
The Act compilation has all of the above. It could quite easily be Propaganda with a little more pop polish. There’s even a BONKERS cover of Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now.
I’m struggling to think of a contemporary label, or even a musical movement, that carries the same ethos and defining principles of early ZTT. Motown had it in spades. Ditto for Factory. ZTT was perhaps the last manifesto label.
I’d love to read a definitive history of the label. I’m surprised that nothing has yet been written. Maybe the magic behind the curtain is best left undisturbed? Careful what you wish for, etc.