| The Twelve Inch Mixes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | 30 June 1986 | |||
| Recorded | 1980–1984 | |||
| Genre | New wave | |||
| Length |
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| Label | Chrysalis | |||
| Producer |
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| Spandau Ballet chronology | ||||
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The Twelve Inch Mixes is a compilation album by Spandau Ballet. It was released on 30 June 1986 by Chrysalis Records. The collection is composed of the band's 12" single recordings released between 1980 and 1984, some of which were ballads that were not remixed from their original studio album presentation.
The Twelve Inch Mixes reached number 98 in Australia. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
Dave Thompson of AllMusic described the compilation as "immensely enjoyable". He wrote, "The album, like the band, is at its best in the early years, while Spandau still took their status as Britain's finest club funk band seriously," and that "the balladic successes of 'Gold', 'True', and 'Only When You Leave' do much to detract from the sheer genius of those early hits, although their own brilliance cannot be disavowed." [2]
All tracks are written by Gary Kemp and taken from the 12" single recordings.
| No. | Title | Original album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Gold" (Extended Version) | True (1983) | 7:12 |
| 2. | "Lifeline" (12" Version) | True (1983) | 5:17 |
| 3. | "Round and Round" (Album & 12" Version) | Parade (1984) | 5:30 |
| 4. | "Only When You Leave" (Extended Mix) | Parade (1984) | 6:45 |
| Total length: | 24:44 | ||
| No. | Title | Original album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Instinction" (7- & 12" Version) | Diamond (1982) | 3:36 |
| 2. | "Highly Re-Strung" (12" Version) | Parade (1984) | 5:27 |
| 3. | "True" (Album & 12" Version) | True (1983) | 6:28 |
| 4. | "Communication" (Club Mix) | True (1983) | 4:28 |
| Total length: | 19:59 | ||
| No. | Title | Original album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I'll Fly for You" (Glide Mix) | Parade (1984) | 7:13 |
| 2. | "To Cut a Long Story Short" (12" Version) | Journeys to Glory (1981) | 6:30 |
| 3. | "Chant No. 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)" (Diamond Box Set Version) | Diamond (1982) | 8:30 |
| 4. | "She Loved Like Diamond" (12" Version) | Diamond (1982) | 3:37 |
| Total length: | 25:50 | ||
| No. | Title | Original album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Paint Me Down" (12" Version) | Diamond (1982) | 7:06 |
| 2. | "The Freeze" (Special Mix) | Journeys to Glory (1981) | 6:30 |
| 3. | "Muscle Bound" (Remix) | Journeys to Glory (1981) | 4:54 |
| Total length: | 18:50 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Gold" (Extended Version) | 7:20 |
| 2. | "Lifeline" (12" Version) | 5:20 |
| 3. | "Round and Round" (Album & 12" Version) | 5:33 |
| 4. | "Only When You Leave" (Edited Extended Mix) | 6:22 |
| 5. | "Instinction" (7- & 12" Version) | 3:37 |
| 6. | "Highly Re-Strung" (12" Version) | 5:30 |
| 7. | "True" (Edited Album & 12" Version) | 6:08 |
| 8. | "Communication" (Club Mix) | 4:30 |
| 9. | "I'll Fly for You" (Album Version) | 5:37 |
| 10. | "To Cut a Long Story Short" (12" Version) | 6:04 |
| 11. | "Chant No. 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)" (Edited 12" Version) | 5:48 |
| 12. | "The Freeze" (Special Mix) | 6:33 |
| 13. | "Muscle Bound" (Remix) | 4:53 |
| Total length: | 1:13:15 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Gold" (Extended Version) | 7:17 |
| 2. | "Lifeline" (12" Version) | 5:20 |
| 3. | "Round and Round" (Album & 12" Version) | 5:34 |
| 4. | "Only When You Leave" (Extended Mix) | 6:48 |
| 5. | "Instinction" (7- & 12" Version) | 3:37 |
| 6. | "Highly Re-Strung" (12" Version) | 5:31 |
| 7. | "True" (Album & 12" Version) | 6:31 |
| 8. | "Communication" (Club Mix) | 4:27 |
| Total length: | 45:05 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I'll Fly for You" (Album Version) | 5:38 |
| 2. | "To Cut a Long Story Short" (12" Version) | 6:31 |
| 3. | "Chant No. 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)" (Edited 12" Version) | 5:48 |
| 4. | "She Loved Like Diamond" (12" Version) | 3:40 |
| 5. | "Paint Me Down" (12" Version) | 7:06 |
| 6. | "The Freeze" (Special Mix) | 6:33 |
| 7. | "Muscle Bound" (Remix) | 4:54 |
| Total length: | 40:10 | |
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) [1] | 98 |
Spandau Ballet were an English pop band formed in Islington, London, in 1979. Inspired by the capital's post-punk underground dance scene, they emerged at the start of the 1980s as the house band for the Blitz Kids, playing "European Dance Music" as "The Applause" for this new club culture's audience. They became one of the most successful groups of the New Romantic era of British pop and were part of the Second British Invasion of the Billboard Top 40 in the 1980s, selling 25 million albums and having 23 hit singles worldwide. The band have had eight UK top 10 albums, including three greatest hits compilations and an album of re-recorded material. Their musical influences ranged from punk rock and soul music to the American crooners Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.
True is the third studio album by English pop band Spandau Ballet, released on 4 March 1983 by Chrysalis Records. The band's songwriter/guitarist Gary Kemp realised after the release of their second album that the nightclub audience they initially wanted to attract had lost interest in them in part because of the band's transition from dance music to pop. He no longer felt obligated to keep writing music for them and shifted his focus to soul and R&B influences such as Marvin Gaye and Al Green for this album. Kemp thought that bandmate Steve Norman's newfound interest in the saxophone would be well-suited to the sound he was going for, as would the decision to record most of the album at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas.
"True" is a song by English pop band Spandau Ballet, released in April 1983 as the title track and third single from their third studio album. It was written by the band's lead guitarist and principal songwriter Gary Kemp to express his feelings for Altered Images lead singer Clare Grogan. Kemp was influenced musically by songs of Marvin Gaye and Al Green he was listening to at the time, and lyrically by Green and the Beatles. "True" reached number one on the UK singles chart in April 1983 and made the top 10 in several other countries, including the US, where it became their first song to reach the Billboard Hot 100.
Gold: The Best of Spandau Ballet is a greatest hits album by English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released on 4 September 2000 by Chrysalis Records. Two versions of the compilation were offered, each with the same 16 of their biggest hits; however, one version also included 1982's "She Loved Like Diamond" while the other featured their late 80s singles "Raw" and "Be Free with Your Love" instead. The album was re-released on 17 August 2008 with a bonus music video DVD.
"To Cut a Long Story Short" is the debut single by the English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released on 31 October 1980. The band began recording the song before they were signed to a record label because of the interest they had generated with a debut concert for patrons of the exclusive weekly London nightclub the Blitz as well as a Christmas party at that establishment. After having tried other popular genres, the band had been preparing to make their debut as performers of dance music and wanted the public to associate them with the young crowd who met at the Blitz every Tuesday. They needed their guitarist/songwriter, Gary Kemp, to come up with something that they could feel confident about presenting to the top tier of the club's regulars at their first performance.
Journeys to Glory is the debut studio album by English synth-pop band Spandau Ballet, released on 6 March 1981 by Chrysalis Records. All of the songs on the album were produced by Richard James Burgess and written by band guitarist Gary Kemp to appeal to the patrons of a weekly Tuesday night club the band started attending called the Blitz, where they were accustomed to hearing "white European dance music". Their performances at the Blitz and other exclusive venues attracted the attention of record labels eager to sign them, and one of the songs they had been performing, "To Cut a Long Story Short", gained popularity through a recording session made at BBC Radio 1.
Diamond is the second studio album by English band Spandau Ballet, released on 12 March 1982 by Chrysalis Records. As with their debut album, Journeys to Glory, all songs were produced by Richard James Burgess and written by band guitarist Gary Kemp. The music was inspired by a variety of genres, including the renewed interest in funk around Soho, American film scores with roots in eastern Europe, the second side of David Bowie's Low album, Pink Floyd records and the mood pieces of another English new wave band, Japan.
Through the Barricades is the fifth studio album by English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released on 17 November 1986 by CBS Records. The band was continuing their efforts to replicate the sound of their live performance on a studio album that they had attempted unsuccessfully with their previous album, Parade. They were also wanting to address any misconceptions about their music that came from the success of their first US hit song, "True", and reshape the style of their music to that of a rock band. The title song, which details the struggles in a relationship, was chosen as the album title because of how they felt they were being perceived. Through the Barricades was also their first album with the label after leaving Chrysalis Records because of the downturn in their popularity in the US after "True".
The Singles Collection is a greatest hits album by English pop band Spandau Ballet, released on 4 November 1985 by Chrysalis Records. The album peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart and was certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) within six weeks of release. It is the band's best-selling album in the United Kingdom, though despite its success, the album was released without the band's approval as they were leaving Chrysalis Records and signed to CBS Records for their next album.
The Best of Spandau Ballet is a greatest hits album by English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released on 16 September 1991 by Chrysalis Records. It features most of the band's singles between 1980 and 1989 in chronological order of release. All tracks were taken from the 7-inch singles for each song, and some of those versions were also included on their respective studio albums. The CD version of the compilation omits "She Loved Like Diamond" and "Raw" in order to facilitate a single disc release.
"Gold" is a song by English pop band Spandau Ballet, released on 5 August 1983 as the fourth single from their third album, True. The song was written by the band's guitarist/songwriter Gary Kemp as an homage to the film themes of composer John Barry and was especially influenced by his scores for the James Bond series. This was apparent to some music critics, but they were sharply divided in their reviews. Some appreciated the energy and drama behind it, while others found it affected and overwrought. The song peaked at number two on the UK singles chart and made the top 10 in several other countries, but its number 29 showing in the US and the disappointing chart performances of the next two singles released there led to the band's decision to change record labels.
"Lifeline" is a song by English pop band Spandau Ballet, released on 24 September 1982 as the first single from what would be their third album, True (1983). The song confirmed the band's intent to transition from dance music to pop that was hinted at with their previous single, "Instinction". Some band members found an enjoyable chemistry with "Lifeline" producers Tony Swain and Steve Jolley that was lacking in recording sessions with previous producers. The new song received mixed reviews but reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. It was also their first single to chart in the United States, missing the Billboard Hot 100 but charting on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 at number 8. The music video for the song received airplay on the U.S. cable channel MTV.
"Chant No. 1 " is a song by the English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released on 10 July 1981 as the first single from their second album, Diamond. The band's guitarist/songwriter, Gary Kemp, wanted to pay homage to the latest London hotspot, Le Beat Route, by emulating the funk music that was popular there and even using the club as the location for the music video, all in order to show that the band was still part of the trendy Soho scene. Except for the remix of the song from the album's box set, "Chant No. 1" received good reviews, and the 7-inch single became their third top ten hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Instinction" is a song by Spandau Ballet whose original version was included on their second album Diamond as produced by Richard James Burgess. The song was written by band guitarist/songwriter Gary Kemp. A remix by Trevor Horn was released on 2 April 1982 as the last single from the album and reached number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. This new version received good reviews but constituted a shift into pop music that did not interest the patrons of trendy London nightclubs that Spandau Ballet originally intended to represent. The band tried continuing their work with Horn on the songs for their next album but came to an impasse with him and moved on to a successful relationship with producers Steve Jolley and Tony Swain.
"Muscle Bound" is a song by the English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released as part of the third single from their debut album Journeys to Glory. In the UK, it was released as a double A-side with the song "Glow"; elsewhere, "Glow" was included as the B-side. "Muscle Bound" received mostly good reviews, and the combined single was their third consecutive top 20 hit in their native UK, reaching number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. The music video for "Muscle Bound" was more ambitious than their previous promotional clips and went over budget because of snowy weather that caused delays during the location shoot.
"Highly Strung" is a song by English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released as the third single from the 1984 album Parade. In their native UK, the song reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart, and critics had a variety of responses to it. The music video used the population density of Hong Kong to demonstrate the song's emotional themes.
"The Freeze" is a song by the English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released on 12 January 1981 as the follow-up to their debut single, the number 5 UK hit "To Cut a Long Story Short". As was the case with that release, the 7-inch single of "The Freeze" featured a dub mix on its B-side, and the 12-inch single had two additional mixes of the song geared toward dance clubs. The cover art used for both formats of the single also repeated its predecessor in having a simple black-and-white classical motif. This design, however, was also seen on the sets of the music video for the song. Reviews of "The Freeze" were mixed. It reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Glow" is a song by the English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released on 27 March 1981 in the UK as a double A-side single with "Muscle Bound". The combined single was their third consecutive top 20 hit in their native UK, reaching number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. Elsewhere, "Glow" was released as the B-side with "Muscle Bound" as the A-side. "Glow" was written while their debut album, Journeys to Glory, was in the finishing stages and was subsequently not included, but a few different versions of the song were on the 2010 reissue of the album.
"Communication" is a song by English pop band Spandau Ballet, released on 4 February 1983 as the second single from what would be their third album, True. The song was recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas along with most of the material from that album and received several good reviews. It reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and made the pop charts in other countries as well. The music video for the song was made to look like a film with lead singer Tony Hadley as the main character and received airplay on the U.S. cable channel MTV.
"Raw" is a song by English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released as the first single from their 1989 album Heart Like a Sky. It failed to make the top 40 in the UK but received mostly positive reviews.
