Tag: Virgin
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Neneh Cherry, Raw Like Sushi, 1989 on Virgin
I don’t think I knew it at the time, but Neneh Cherry is Swedish-born (Neneh Mariann Karlsson), and related to both Don Cherry the jazz trumpeter (step-daughter) and Eagle-Eye Cherry (shared mother, different fathers). This was her debut studio album and “Buffalo Stance” was huge in the late 80s. It’s really a great album well…
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UB40, Rat in the Kitchen, 1986 on A&M
Seventh UB40 full length, on A&M in the US and DEP International / Virgin elsewhere. Love the title track as well as “Sing our Own Song,” with the rallying cry of the African National Congress (“Amandla Awethu”). Got to see them around this time in Minneapolis – what a fantastic live show they put on,…
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Peter Gabriel, So, 1986 on Geffen
One of the foundational albums of my youth – not just the “In Your Eyes” boombox scene from Say Anything, but really every track here. Sounds fantastic on vinyl. Definitely one of my desert island discs, provided I can bring a turntable. In the UK this was issued on Charisma (PG5) and Virgin but in…
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Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, Conscious Party, 1988 on Virgin
Third LP from Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, which included Stephen, Sharon and Cedella plus Ziggy, all children of Bob and Rita Marley (who also adds backing vocals). Guests include Jerry Harrison and Tina Weymouth. Chris Franz and Weymouth also produced. Loved this album when it came out – fairly certain I had a…
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UB40, Labour of Love, 1983 on A&M
Fourth studio LP from UB40 – a collection of covers including their giant hit “Red Red Wine” – but don’t hold that against them. It’s really a fantastic album start to finish. “All of these songs were recorded by reggae artists between 1969 and 1972” – they came to “Red, Red, Wine” not via Neil…
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Japan, Japan, 1982 on Epic
Compilation album released (in the US) on Epic in 1982, bringing together most of Tin Drum plus some from Gentlemen Take Polaroids. (Neither of those was formally released in the US until 1994). I’ve got a UK Tin Drum but still looking for a good vinyl copy of Gentlemen. One the best underrated bands of…
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The League Unlimited Orchestra, Love and Dancing, 1982 on A&M
Remix album by The Human League, released in 1982 on Virgin in the UK, Europe and Canada and on A&M in the US. (Name inspired by Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra). I love the version of “Hard Times” here – mostly instrumental versions, remixed by Martin Rushent. This is another filing oddity – I put…
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XTC, English Settlement, 1982 on Virgin/Epic
This was the fifth XTC studio album, out on Virgin Records in the UK and Epic in the US. The band stopped touring after this LP and became more of a studio only group. Interesting midpoint between “Making Plans For Nigel” (1979) and “Dear God” (1986). Includes “Senses Working Overtime.” Still looking for a 2xLP…
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Heaven 17, The Luxury Gap, 1983 on Virgin
Heaven 17 included Martyn Ware and Ian Criag Marsh who had been founding members of The Human League – Glenn Gregory took the place of Philip Oakey to make Heaven 17. This was their second studio album (and best selling album) – with the single “Temptation” being the best known hit. My copy, via Pitchfork…
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Syd Straw, Surprise, 1989 on Virgin
Syd Straw’s career started as a backup singer for Pat Benatar, and fronting Golden Palaminos on a couple of their albums. This was her solo debut, with MIchael Stipe (of R.E.M.) joining on “Future 40s” and other guests like Ry Cooder, Van Dyke Parks, Richard Thompson, Anton Fier, Bernie Worrell, Marc Ribot, Peter Holsapple, Dan…
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AIR, 10 000 Hz Legend, 2001 on Source/Virgin.
I’ve long been a huge fan of Moon Safari, AIR’s debut album. This LP came four years later, with the soundtrack to the Virgin Suicides coming in between. I can’t say it is as successful as the debut, which is just untouchable and hit the moment just right, but it is a very strong album…
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Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, 1980 on Virgin in the US, Dindisc in the UK.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, 1980 on Virgin in the US, Dindisc in the UK. The US version was released in 1987 so between 1980 and then you’d have to get an import. Yes, kids, they used to make different releases in different countries. Not to be confused with the…
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Human League, Lebanon, 1984 on Virgin.
Human League, Lebanon, 1984 on Virgin. 12″ single with an extended Lebanon om the A side and “Thirteen” plus an instrumental version on the B side EMI Records pressing from the UK
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David Sylvian, Secrets of the Beehive, 1987 on Virgin
David Sylvian, Secrets of the Beehive, 1987 on Virgin The third in a trio of brilliant post-Japan solo albums with Brilliant Trees (1984) and Gone to Earth (1986) with Ryuichi Sakamoto All three were reissued in 2019 on 180g vinyl (see davidsylvian.com) but this one is a 1987 pressing. Via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester…
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Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Organisation, 1980.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Organisation, 1980. Mine’s a 1986 UK pressing on Virgin sublabel Dindisc. Via Dyno Records in Newburyport (pre-covid). “Enola Gay, you should have stayed at home yesterday . . . ”
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Travelogue, The Human League, 1980 on Virgin (UK pressing).
Travelogue, The Human League, 1980 on Virgin (UK pressing). This is early Human League, with Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, who went on to found Heaven 17, and without Susanne Sulley or Joanne Catherall. My copy via Elvis Shakespeare in Edinburgh.