Assemblage (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Assemblage
Type = Compilation album
Artist = Japan


Released = 1981
Recorded = 1977-1980
Genre = Post-Punk, New Wave
Length = 43:42
Label = Hansa Records, BMG-Ariola, Sony BMG
Producer =
Reviews =
*Allmusic: Rating|2.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:a9fexq95ldje link]
Last album =
This album =Assemblage (1981)
Next album = "Exorcising Ghosts" (1984)

Assemblage is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released in 1981 by Hansa Records.

"Assemblage" collects recordings from the band's early career and Hansa Records re-released no less than six singles from "Assemblage" and Japan's back catalogue between 1981 - 1983. Both "Life In Tokyo", a collaboration with renowned disco producer Giorgio Moroder, and "European Son" were remixed and re-issued twice.

"Assemblage" was the first of numerous Japan compilations issued by Hansa Records/BMG Ariola/Sony BMG Music Entertainment but remains the only one originally released in consultation with the band members themselves.

The compilation reached #26 in the UK and spent 46 weeks on the album chart, being certified Gold by the B.P.I. in January 1983.

"Assemblage" was re-issued on CD by Sony BMG Music Entertainment in 2004, then including four bonus tracks as well as two videos.

Track listing

ide A:

#"Adolescent Sex" (Re-recorded version) (Sylvian) - 4:15
#* Original version appears on 1977 album "Adolescent Sex". Re-recorded Spring 1978 and released as B-side of UK single "The Unconventional". A-side single in Continental Europe in 1979.
#"Stateline" (Sylvian) - 4:48
#* Originally released as B-side of UK single "Don't Rain on My Parade", 1978.
#"Communist China" (Sylvian) - 2:43
#* From 1977 album "Adolescent Sex"
#"...Rhodesia" (Sylvian) - 6:48
#* From 1978 album "Obscure Alternatives"
#"Suburban Berlin" (Sylvian) - 5:01
#* From 1978 album "Obscure Alternatives"

ide B:

#"Life in Tokyo" (Moroder, Sylvian) - 3:33
#* Originally released as UK A-side single in 1979. Original version re-issued as A-side single in 1981. Remixed by "Tin Drum" producer Steve Nye and new bass overdubbed by Mick Karn (Remix #1 a.k.a. Special Remix), re-issued as A-side single a third time in October 1982. Remix #2: late 1982 - producers unknown, with synths/drum machine overdubs, appearing on various subsequent Hansa/Ariola compilations.
#"European Son" (Sylvian) - 3:40
#* Originally recorded and produced by Simon-Napier Bell and Japan in 1979. Remixed by "Quiet Life" producer John Punter before release (Remix #1). First released as B-side of Japanese single "I Second That Emotion", 1980. First UK release B-side of re-issued single "Life In Tokyo", 1981. Remixed by Steve Nye (Remix #2) and new bass overdubbed by Mick Karn, re-issued as A-side single in the UK in January 1982.
#"All Tomorrow's Parties" (Alternate version) (Reed) - 4:15
#* Original version included on 1979 album "Quiet Life". Alternate (early) version recorded and produced by Simon Napier-Bell and Japan. Remixed by Steve Nye and issued as A-side single in the UK, February 1983.
#"Quiet Life" (Sylvian) - 4:53
#* First released as A-side single in Japan, 1979 ( - 4:14). Included on 1979 album "Quiet Life" ( - 4:53). Released as A-side single in the UK 1980 (fade-out - 3:54). Edited version ( - 3:34) re-released as A-side single in the UK, August 1981.
#"I Second That Emotion" (Cleveland, Robinson) - 3:46
#* Originally released as A-side single in Japan, 1980. Released as A-side single in Continental Europe, 1981. Remixed by Steve Nye and released as A-side single in the UK in July 1982 where it became the band's second biggest hit.

Bonus tracks 2004 re-issue

11. "European Son" (John Punter 12" Mix) (Sylvian) - 5:02
12. "I Second That Emotion" (12" Remix) (Cleveland, Robinson) - 5:17
13. "Life in Tokyo" (Pt. 1, Special Remix) (Moroder, Sylvian) - 4:03
14. "Life in Tokyo" (1982 12" Remix) (Moroder, Sylvian) - 6:17
15. "I Second That Emotion" (multimedia track) (Cleveland, Robinson)
16. "Life in Tokyo" (multimedia track) (Moroder, Sylvian)

ingles

"Life In Tokyo"/"European Son" 1981 "Quiet Life"/"A Foreign Place" (UK #19) 1981 "European Son (remix)"/"Alien" (UK #31) 1981 "I Second That Emotion (remix)"/"Halloween" (UK #9) 1982 "Life In Tokyo (remix)" (UK #28) 1982 "All Tomorrow's Parties"/"In Vogue" (UK #38) 1983

Personnel

*David Sylvian: vocals, synthesizers. piano, electric guitar
*Mick Karn: bass guitar, oboe, saxophone, recorder
*Steve Jansen: drums, synthesizer, percussion
*Richard Barbieri: synthesizers, sequencer, piano
*Rob Dean: guitar, ebow

Production

* Ray Singer - record producer tracks A1-A5
* Pete Silver - sound engineer tracks A1-A3
* Tracks A1-A3 recorded at Audio International Studios
* Chris Tsangarides - sound engineer tracks A4-A5
* Tracks A4-A5 recorded at Morgan Studios
* Giorgio Moroder - producer track B1
* Jürgen Koppers - sound engineer track B1
* Track B1 recorded at Rusk Sound Studios, Los Angeles
* Simon Napier-Bell - producer tracks B2, B3
* Japan - producers tracks B2, B3
* John Punter - remix tracks B2-B3, producer tracks B4, B5
* Keith Bessey - sound engineer tracks B2, B3
* Tracks B2-B3 recorded at DJM Studios
* Colin Fairley - sound engineer tracks B4-B5
* Tracks B4-B5 recorded at AIR Studios

ources

* [http://www.discogs.com Discogs.com]
* [http://www.rateyourmusic.com Rateyourmusic.com]
* [http://www.nightporter.co.uk Nightporter.co.uk]