Dubstar’s dalliance with the US record market was tantalisingly brief. Despite signing a lucrative contract with the Los Angeles wing of Polydor/PolyGram for North America, recording much of their second album in upstate New York, and even shooting a customary video in Death Valley, only one Dubstar album was officially released stateside in the 1990s.
The US compilation was called Goodbye, but the track-listing differed from that which appeared on Dubstar’s second album (of the same name), available throughout the rest of the world that year.
Somewhat confusingly, the American Goodbye was composed of tracks which had been gleaned from the UK debut Disgraceful, as well as the group’s sophomore outing (also called Goodbye). Despite the dismissive title, it was intended as a warm introduction for their American cousins.
The honeymoon was frustratingly short-lived however: PolyGram was purchased by Seagram the very next year (Seagram itself being sold to the Vivendi conglomerate not long afterwards), leaving the band without a home on the other side of the Atlantic, and resulting in years of confusion about who really controlled their license for US distribution. As the 21st century ushered-forth the streaming revolution, music lovers all over the world began rediscovering many of their 90s favourites with the convenience of exciting new digital platforms, but American Dubstar fans felt cruelly excluded from the party. Until now…
At long last, thanks to the strenuous efforts of Sarah, Chris, the diligent personnel at Team Dubstar and their delightful new friends at Universal Music Group, we can proudly announce the delivery of America’s own Goodbye album, available for digital streaming in the United States for the very first time on the 29th of January 2021.
“Reunited, and it feels so good…”
XX
