Sunday Spins: 'Miami Vice II' Edition

You may recall I wrote about the original Miami Vice soundtrack a few weeks ago. Through the comments (thanks Mike!) I learned that there was, in fact, a second Miami Vice soundtrack out there. It then became my mission to search the used record bins for this album. Lo and behold I found it for a few bucks and in great condition, too.

While the album plays beautifully with no pops or static, the songs just don't compare to the original soundtrack. That first soundtrack was so popular, it stayed at the top of the Billboard chart for weeks and sold to 4x platinum.

The second version features songs from artists like Roxy Music, Phil Collins, Jackson Browne and of course theme composer Jan Hammer but the high points are way fewer than the first release.

"Take Me Home" was a massive hit for Phil Collins and the inclusion of the track is probably the high mark of second compilation. The second soundtrack was originally released in 1986 via MCA.

There are a couple more Miami Vice soundtracks out there too, available as imports. We'll see if I can find them in some of my future bargain bin searches!

Want to hear the whole album? I got you:

Sunday Spins: 'Miami Vice' Edition

I just love flipping through bins of old records at antique shops, thrift stores and proper music shops. You never know what you are going to find. A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a pristine copy of the Miami Vice soundtrack on vinyl. Obviously, it was coming home with me. Officially the title is Miami Vice - Music From The Television Series. I paid $10 for my copy that looks showroom new!

The Miami Vice soundtrack was released by MCA in 1985. The album was also released in the UK, Germany and other parts of Europe, Australia, Canada, Peru and Mexico. As far as I know, the LP has never been re-released. The record is flat and clean - the sound is pristine and has incredible mastering. A CD version was re-released in some countries in 2006 but the sound is apparently not great. I have never heard this album on CD, so I can't speak to that.

The soundtrack features the theme song (naturally) plus big hits from the likes of Glenn Frey and Phil Collins. The theme of the show was written by Jan Hammer. Dude made magic when he created the opening theme for Miami Vice. The song remains one of the best television tunes ever.

Glenn Frey's "You Belong to the City" and Phil Collins "In The Air Tonight" are what made me really want the album. I happen to love those tracks and I don't have them on vinyl (yet).

A totally fun trip back to the mid-80s!