Title - 'Naked - Expanded Edition'
Artist - Kissing The Pink
Digitally remastered and now lovingly expanded, thirty two years after its original release we now get the first UK CD reissue of the debut album by new wave synth-pop pioneers. Kissing The Pink, entitled Naked.
Kissing the Pink, the British new wave, dance and synth-pop group from London, England - whose original members included Nick Whitecross, John Hall, George Stewart, Josephine Wells, Pete Barnett, Sylvia Griffin, Steve Cusack and Simon Aldridge - released their first indie single, "Don't Hide in the Shadows" in 1981. But it was not until they dropped their first manager (celebrated in their song "Michael"), and signed with Magnet Records that they began to get any airplay.
They recorded their first album, Naked in AIR Studios with producer Colin Thurston and after a series of near-misses, their single "Last Film" reached the Top 20 of the UK Singles Chart. That very same album, Naked then reached #54 in the UK Albums Chart.
Now released as a special Expanded Edition that includes the 12 original album tracks plus seven related bonus tracks, all sourced from the original master tapes, 'Naked - Expanded Edition is a true joy to behold, once again.
1. Last Film
2. Frightened in France
3. Watching Their Eyes
4. Love Lasts Forever
5. All for You
6. Last Film (Hymn Version)
7. Big Man Restless
8. Desert Song
9. Broken Body
10. Maybe This Day
11. In Awe of Industry
12. Mr. Blunt
13. Mr. Blunt - Mixed for Feet
14. Watching Their Eyes - Club Mix
15. Last Film - Extended Version
16. Love Lasts Forever - 12" Version
17. We Are Your Family - Special Club Version
18. Middleton Row
19. Big Man Restless - Club Mix.
From the off, "Last Film" is just an immediate flash back to an era, a time when music was, well timeless. The way it slow marches along, from start to finish is even today, something you just don't hear much of any more. The hectic synth pace of "Frightened In France" is brilliant, Kraftwerkish, if you will, and is backed by the Sylvia Griffin-sung "Watching Their Eyes," and then the B-52's-esque "Love Lasts Forever."
'All For You" slows everything down, gets more personal, before "The Last Film (Hymn Version)," which I always thought at the time was a weird place to add this on the album. But, remember, back then this was an A and B sided vinyl LP, so this actually came at the end of Side A. Moving on and we get the electronic "Big Man Restless," which is followed by the Josephine Well-sung "Desert Song." The pace is picked back on on "Broken Body," before the sultry-stirrings of the melodic "Maybe This Day" comes forth. The original album is then brought to a close with the brilliant "In Awe Of Industry," before the album rounds out with the rousing sax and drum anthem, "Mr. Blunt."
Inclusive of those seven (7) Bonus Tracks all listed above - my personal favorites being "Mr. Blunt (Mixed For Feet)," "Last Film (Extended Version)," and "We Are Your Family (Special Club Version)" - the CD booklet features the original album front cover plus extensive sleeve notes with band members sharing their memories of the period. Oh, and a UK Kissing The Pink (a snooker term, BTW), discography.
www.CherryRed.co.uk