The series contained 15 volumes. The first five were released on 21 June 1994, and concentrated mostly on music issued between 1977 and 1981, with a few tracks from 1982. (Despite the "New Wave Hits of the '80s" subtitle, Volume 1 actually contains no tracks from the 1980s; tracks from 1980 and later begin appearing midway through Volume 2.) Volumes 6–10 were issued on 18 October 1994, and mostly featured songs from 1982, spilling a little into 1983. The last five volumes were issued on 20 June 1995, and featured songs covering 1983 to 1985. Additional themed volumes—New Wave Dance Hits,[2]New Wave Women,[3]New Wave Halloween,[4] and New Wave Christmas[5]—came out in subsequent years. Rhino Records discontinued the series, due to rights issues and with no plans to re-release them. Many of the songs in the series are mastered from the 7-inch single masters. The series includes some songs making their first CD appearance (in some rare cases, their only CD appearance).
Volume 1
The first volume was released on both CD [R2 71694] and audio cassette on 21 June 1994.[6][7]
The sixth volume was released on 18 October 1994 on CD [R2 71699] and audio cassette. The booklet included liner notes by Andy Zax. The CD includes Code Blue's "Face to Face" and Any Trouble's "Second Choice" as bonus tracks.[12]
The tenth volume was released on both CD [R2 71703] and audio cassette on October 18, 1994. It contains the rarely heard The Little Girls' "Earthquake Song." The CD included Rank and File's "Amanda Ruth" as a bonus track. Booklet includes liner notes by Roy Trakin (liner notes for each song are in order by the track listing, unlike the previous volumes).[14]
The eleventh volume was released on both CD [R2 71974] and audio cassette on June 20, 1995.[15] The cheerfully inaccurate liner notes by Andy Zax dwell at some length on The Fixx being one of the most successful new wave bands from Australia; they are in fact from England.
The twelfth volume was released on both CD [#R2 71975] and audio cassette on June 20, 1995. The CD contains bonus tracks including Tracey Ullman's "They Don't Know," The Rave-Up's "Positively Lost Me," Marlyn's "Calling Your Name," and Cabaret Voltaire's "Sensoria."[16]
Compilation Assistance: David Kapp, Emily Cagan, Jim Neill, Brady Benton, Ken Lesnik, Joe Phiefer, Ted Myers, Gary Peterson, Gary Stewart, Chris Farman
The licensing King: Mark Pinkus
Discographical Annotations: Patrick Milligan
Project Assistance: Garson Foos, Keith Altomare, Jim Neill, Steve Poltorak, Craig Kamins, Bill Inglot, Jock Elliot, Antone DeSantis, Arny Schorr, Darcy Sullvan, Stephen K. Peeles, Norma Edwards, Nancy Hopkins, Michaeal Mazzarella, Nat Brewster, Janet Grey, David Miller.
Research: Patrick Milligan, Gary Peterson
Remastering: Bill Inglot, Andrew Sandoval & Ken Perry
Front Cover Photo: Blind Gary & Dirty Pierre Silva (Volumes 6–15 only)
Design: Julie Vlasak (Volumes 6–15 only) & Steve Bates
Art Direction (Volumes 6–15 only): Monster X
Rhino New Wave Hits of the '80s Team: Keith Altomare, Steve Bates, Emily Cagan, Chris Clarke, Julie D'Angelo, David Born, Garson Foos, Teresa McGurrin, David McLees, Jim Neill, David Newberg, Mark Pinkus, Faithe Raphael
Special Thanks: Michael Ackerman, James Austin, Hugo Bernham, Jay Boberg, Chris Castle, Cliff Chenfeld, Paul Cope/Record Rover, Jesse & Rachel Donahue, Richard Foos, Maria Garza, Jeff Gold, Paul Grein, Tanya Harman, Bruce Harris, Keith Johnson, Lisa Kellerhouse, Howie Klein, Scott Lasker, Bill Levenson, Tom Lopinski, Donna Malyszko, Toby Mamis, Paul C. Mawhinney/Record Rama, Maria Mandez, Brad Morrison, Mark Mulcahy, Frankie Pine, Ken Reed/Main Street Records, Fred Schneider, Suzanne Steers, Lisa Sutton, Gerrard Talbot, David Tedds, Vincent Vero, Paul Williams
