The Magic Of Boney M. - 20 Golden Hits

Compilation including all single A-sides from 1976 to the 1980 double A-side "I See A Boat On The River"/"My Friend Jack". Two non-album A-sides were included on a long-form release for the first time: "Mary's Boy Child" and "Hooray Hooray". Omitted are "Dancing In The Streets" and "Voodoonight", released as A-sides in limited territories, and the debut single "Baby, Do You Wanna Bump" (1975). "No Woman No Cry", "Oceans Of Fantasy", "Ribbons Of Blue" and "Still I'm Sad" are album tracks and/or B-sides and actually can't be considered hits.
All tracks except "Daddy Cool", "Painter Man", "Bahama Mama" and "Gotta Go Home" have been edited for this release, to fit 10 tracks on both vinyl sides. "I See A Boat" is curiously shorter on CD (3:10) than on LP (4:04).
Some countries behind the iron curtain omitted tracks for religious ("Mary's Boy Child") or political ("Rasputin") reasons. In a few countries where Boney M. hadn't been that popular, only the 12 biggest hits were included, hence the release title truncated to "Golden Hits". On some of these editions some tracks were also restored to full length. The release was retitled "Greatest Hits" for German record club editions and four tracks were removed - which later resurfaced (in full duration) on "Children Of Paradise - The Greatest Hits Of - Volume 2".
Original German/European LP sleeve design is elaborate, with a glossy gold finish and die-cut parts revealing the group members pictured on the inner sleeve. Other formats (except a few cassette editions) and many overseas licensed versions made do without the die-cut sleeve, and the gold colour was replaced with yellowish brown. Some versions discarded the original outer gold sleeve and instead used the design of the inner sleeve featuring group photos.
The Colombian Swing label issue made do with only seven tracks, including "Dancing In The Streets", and cover art recycled from the 'Nightflight to Venus' sleeve centre spread.