If you love music from the 1970s, then NOW Presents The 70s is a collection that deserves a closer look. Released in December 2021, this limited-edition vinyl box set takes us on a musical journey through the decade, bringing together 74 songs from some of the biggest artists of the era.

Unlike many compilation albums that simply group songs together, this collection has a slightly different approach. Each side of the five vinyl records represents a different year, starting in 1970 and finishing in 1979.

It’s a great way to look back at how popular music changed throughout the decade, from the early sounds of the 70s through to the arrival of punk, new wave and electronic pop towards the end of the decade.

 

Now presents the 70s

What’s Included In NOW Presents The 70s?

NOW Presents The 70s is a five-LP vinyl box set containing 74 tracks across ten sides of vinyl.

The collection was part of the new NOW Presents series and was the first vinyl box set released under that name. Each record has its own specially designed sleeve, with the five albums housed together in a rigid slipcase.

There is also plenty of interesting information included. The reverse of the record sleeves features track-by-track annotations, including chart positions and facts about the artists and songs.

Only 1,000 numbered box sets were produced, making this a particularly interesting release for vinyl collectors and fans of 1970s music.

A Musical Journey Through The 1970s

One of the most interesting things about this collection is the way it takes us through the decade year by year.

Rather than concentrating on one particular style of music, NOW Presents The 70s includes a mixture of pop, rock, soul, disco, glam rock and new wave.

Let’s take a look at some of the highlights.

1970 and 1971 – The Start Of A New Decade

The collection opens with Simon & Garfunkel’s classic Bridge Over Troubled Water, a fitting choice for the beginning of the 1970s.

There are some excellent songs from this period, including Bread’s Make It With You, Elvis Presley’s Suspicious Minds, Deep Purple’s Black Night and Free’s All Right Now.

Moving into 1971, we get Elton John’s Your Song, Rod Stewart’s Maggie May, Slade’s Coz I Luv You and Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On.

These two years demonstrate just how varied popular music was becoming, with singer-songwriters, rock bands and soul artists all enjoying success.

1972 and 1973 – Great Songs And Memorable Artists

The next two years bring us even more classic music.

1972 includes Don McLean’s American Pie, Bill Withers’ Lean On Me, Roxy Music’s Virginia Plain and Lou Reed’s Perfect Day.

There are some wonderful songs from 1973 too, including Roberta Flack’s Killing Me Softly With His Song, Sweet’s Ballroom Blitz, Wizzard’s See My Baby Jive and Billy Joel’s Piano Man.

It’s a strong selection, showing the different directions music was taking during the early part of the decade.

1974 and 1975 – Some Huge 70s Hits

By the middle of the decade, some of the biggest names in popular music were producing songs that are still remembered today.

1974 features Queen’s Killer Queen, Paul McCartney and Wings’ Band On The Run, Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells and Mud’s Tiger Feet.

Moving into 1975, we have John Lennon’s Imagine, 10cc’s I’m Not In Love, Bay City Rollers’ Bye Bye Baby and Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel’s Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me).

There is a lovely mixture of pop, rock and soul here, with plenty of familiar favourites.

1976 and 1977 – Disco, Pop And Rock

The music of 1976 and 1977 brings another change in sound.

ABBA’s Dancing Queen is one of the big highlights from 1976, alongside Electric Light Orchestra’s Livin’ Thing, Thin Lizzy’s The Boys Are Back In Town and Joan Armatrading’s Love And Affection.

1977 gives us Fleetwood Mac’s Don’t Stop, Donna Summer’s I Feel Love, Meat Loaf’s Bat Out Of Hell and Status Quo’s Rockin’ All Over The World.

Disco was becoming hugely popular, while rock bands continued to produce some of the decade’s most memorable music.

1978 and 1979 – Punk And New Wave Arrive

The final two years bring the collection towards the end of the decade, with some important changes in popular music.

1978 includes Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights, Chic’s Le Freak, Boney M.’s Rivers Of Babylon and The Jam’s Down In The Tube Station At Midnight.

By 1979, punk and new wave had become a major part of the music scene.

The Clash’s London Calling, The Police’s Message In A Bottle, Blondie’s Heart Of Glass and Tubeway Army’s Are ‘Friends’ Electric? are all included.

The collection finishes with The Buggles’ Video Killed The Radio Star, a fitting choice as the decade came to an end and the 1980s approached.

Now presents the 70s

My Thoughts On NOW Presents The 70s

What I particularly like about the idea behind this collection is that it gives us a snapshot of each year of the decade.

The 1970s were a fascinating time for popular music. We had glam rock, progressive rock, soul, disco, punk and new wave, often all enjoying success at the same time.

This collection brings many of those styles together and gives listeners a chance to follow the changes in music from one year to the next.

There are some enormous names included, from Elton John, Rod Stewart and Queen to ABBA, Fleetwood Mac, Donna Summer and The Clash.

Of course, with only 74 tracks covering an entire decade, there are bound to be some omissions. Every 70s music fan will have their own favourite songs and artists they would have liked to see included.

Nevertheless, the selection gives a good overview of the decade and includes many songs that have stood the test of time.

Is NOW Presents The 70s A Good Collection?

For fans of 1970s music and vinyl records, NOW Presents The 70s is an interesting release.

The year-by-year format makes it different from a standard compilation, while the individual record sleeves and information about the songs add something extra to the presentation.

With 74 tracks across five LPs, there is plenty of music to explore, and the collection covers a wide range of artists and musical styles.

Although it was produced as a limited-edition release, its real appeal is the opportunity to revisit some of the greatest music from the 1970s in one collection.

If you’re interested in the music of the decade, it’s certainly a release worth knowing about.

More NOW 70s Music Reviews

If you enjoy looking back at the music of the 1970s, you might also like some of my other NOW compilation reviews.

What’s your favourite year for music from the 1970s? Was it the early part of the decade, the disco years or the arrival of punk and new wave? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.