Section 25 – From The Hip [4cd Box Set Review] on Factory Benelux

Remastered Definitive Edition

Few albums embody the transitional moment between post-punk austerity and the shimmering expanse of mid-80s electronic pop quite like From the Hip. Originally released in 1984 on Factory Records, this was Section 25’s bold step away from the stark minimalism of Always Now and The Key of Dreams into the sequencer-led world pioneered by their labelmates New Order. Now, four decades on, this definitive 4-CD box set restores the original album and piles on an embarrassment of extras — singles, 12″ versions, remixes, alternate takes, BBC sessions, demos, and a complete live set from their US tour. For a premium listening experience consider delving into each disc chronologically starting with disc one to re-acquaint yourself with the album.

Disc One – The Original Album & Singles

Hearing From the Hip remastered is a reminder of just how forward-looking it was. Produced by Bernard Sumner, the album’s crystalline synth lines and motorik beats feel at once of their time and strangely modern. Opener The Process unfolds with a crisp, machine-driven pulse, while Looking From a Hilltop (both in its album and iconic 12″ Megamix forms) remains the jewel in their crown — an icy, hypnotic groove that went on to influence generations of electronic producers. Also included are standalone singles and extended versions, giving the complete picture of the band’s mid-80s shift into electronic territory. I’m personally engrossed in the 3 track sequence from Program For Light through Desert to the Bernard Sumner collaboration Beneath The Blade. It’s remarkable to learn from Bernard Sumner’s sleeve notes that there were virtually no overdubs on the album due to Rockfield Studio’s analogue reel-to-reel system varying ever so slightly in speed, rendering any overdub tuning virtually impossible. I think the album benefits from this technical obstacle in may ways, and the remaster’s crystal clear sound is one.

Disc Two – Remixes, Alternate Takes & BBC Sessions

This is where the box set starts revealing its depth. The Stephen Morris and Outernationale remixes of Hilltop and Program For Light are superb. Moving on, the alternate album demo’s recorded in Rob Bee’s Preesall studio, strip back certain elements, letting you hear the inner workings of the band’s sound — more skeletal, sometimes darker especially on The Process. The BBC David ‘Kid’ Jensen session tracks capture Section 25 in raw, live-in-the-studio mode, proving they could deliver these precise electronic pieces without losing energy or edge. The quality of the recordings are superb throughout except for the vocal take of Program For Light, included for completists.

Disc Three – Sketches, Demos & More Remixes

Perhaps the most fascinating disc for long-term fans, the demos and sketches show the embryonic stages of From the Hip. Early takes on Beneath the Blade and Desert show how ideas evolved from sparse rhythm box patterns into fully realised songs. Additional remixes, some unearthed from the archives, offer fresh perspectives — less about dancefloor polish, more about mood and experimentation.

Disc Four – Live USA Tour Recording

Captured during their 1985 American dates at The Cotillon Ballroom,Baton Rouge, LA (2nd Feb 1985) and Club Lingerie, LA (31st Jan 1985), this live set has a gritty urgency compared to the studio precision. Tracks like Reflection and Inspiration feel more visceral here, the sequencers locked in with a propulsive bass, while Looking From a Hilltop is transformed into something more muscular and immediate. The recording quality is strong, and it’s a reminder that Section 25 were not just a studio band — they could command a stage, even in front of unfamiliar audiences.

Verdict

This From the Hip box set isn’t just an expanded reissue — it’s a complete immersion into one of Factory’s most innovative releases. It documents a band in transformation, embracing technology without losing their distinctive northern grit. Whether you come for the pristine remasters, the wealth of rarities, or the atmospheric live recordings, it’s an essential purchase for fans of Section 25, Factory Records, and the broader post-punk-to-electronica continuum.

From the Hip 4cd Box Set is released on Factory Benelux on 12th September