 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(July 2015) |
| Assemblage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | 11 September 1981 | |||
| Recorded | 1977–1980 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 43:42 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | ||||
| Japan chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Assemblage | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [2] |
Assemblage is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released in September 1981 by Hansa Records.
Upon release in September 1981, the album spent 10 weeks in the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number 32. The album then re-entered the chart in the second week of January 1982 spent intermittently a further 36 weeks in the chart, peaking at number 26 in August 1982, and its final week being the third week of April 1983. [3] The album spent so long in the charts because of the number of singles from the album that were released by Hansa between 1981 and 1983. The album was also re-released on cassette with bonus tracks in October 1982 with the additional title 'Special Edition Double Play'. [4] These bonus tracks served as the track listing of the album when released in Japan in January 1983. [5] Assemblage was certified Gold by the BPI in January 1983. [6]
Assemblage was one of the first of numerous Japan compilations issued by Hansa/BMG Ariola/Sony BMG, but remains the only one originally released in consultation with the band members themselves. Coincidentally, the titles of five of the ten songs refer to geographical locations (namely Communist China, Rhodesia, Berlin, Tokyo, and Europe).
Assemblage was reissued on CD by Sony BMG Music Entertainment in 2004, then including four bonus tracks as well as two videos. Initial pressings of this reissue accidentally omit the first bass note of "Adolescent Sex" and include an incorrect bonus version of "Life in Tokyo." Subsequent pressings correct these errors.
The first single that could be classed as being from Assemblage is "Life in Tokyo", released in April 1981. It had originally been released in 1979 but was reissued in 1981 due to popular demand. [7] It was then remixed by Tin Drum producer Steve Nye and a new bass was overdubbed by Mick Karn and was released as a single for the third time in September 1982 (known as the 'Special Remix') and peaked at number 28 in the UK Singles Chart. [3] There was also a second remix in late 1982 with synths/drum machine overdubs, which has appeared on various subsequent Hansa/Ariola compilations.
The next single, "Quiet Life" was released in August 1981 and it states on the sleeve that is from Assemblage. It was first released in Japan in December 1979 with a duration of 4:14. It then appeared on the Quiet Life album (duration 4:53) and was released in 1980 as an A-side single in Germany and the Netherlands and B-side single in the UK (both a fade-out version with a duration of 3:53). The 1981 release is an edited version with a duration of 3:34, and it peaked at number 19 in the UK. [3]
The third single, "European Son" was released in January 1982. It was originally recorded and produced by Simon Napier-Bell and Japan in 1979 and was remixed by Quiet Life producer John Punter before release. It was first released as a single in Japan in March 1980 and was first released in the UK in 1981 as the B-side to "Life in Tokyo". The 1982 release is a remix by Steve Nye with new bass overdubbed by Mick Karn, and it peaked at number 31 in the UK. [3]
The fourth single was a cover of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "I Second That Emotion", released in June 1982. It was originally released in March 1980 with the B-side "Quiet Life" in the UK and "European Son" in Japan. The 1982 release is a Steve Nye remix and it became the band's second biggest hit, reaching number 9 in the UK. [3]
"Life in Tokyo" was then re-released as mentioned above as the fifth single. The sixth and final single was a cover of The Velvet Underground and Nico's "All Tomorrow's Parties", released in February 1983. The original version was included on Quiet Life and the 1983 release is a remix by Steve Nye and it peaked at number 38 in the UK. [3] The B-sides to the 12" single are live versions of "Deviation" and "Obscure Alternatives", which the single states as being taken from the Assemblage Special Edition Cassette. The version of "All Tomorrow's Parties" included on Assemblage is an alternate (early) version recorded and produced by Simon Napier-Bell and Japan.
Assemblage collects recordings from the band's early career (1977–1980) and as shown above Hansa Records re-released no fewer than six singles from Assemblage and Japan's back catalogue between 1981 and 1983.
The first side of the album features songs taken from the band's glam rock period (1977–78) The first track, "Adolescent Sex" differs from the version on the album of the same name as it is a re-recorded version that was first released in August 1978 in the UK as the other side of a double A-side single with "The Unconventional". The second track on Assemblage, "Stateline", was the B-side of "Don't Rain on My Parade", the band's first single.
The album's second side feature some of the band's art pop/synth-pop songs. "Life in Tokyo" is the 1979/1981 single version; the version of "European Son" is the 1980 Japanese B-side to "I Second That Emotion"; "All Tomorrow's Parties" is an alternate (early) version recorded and produced by Simon Napier-Bell and Japan; "Quiet Life" is the album version (which is also the 12" version); and "I Second That Emotion" is the 1980 version.
The bonus tracks for the Special Edition Double Play cassette and the track listing for the Japanese version feature the 12" Steve Nye remixes of "European Son" and "I Second That Emotion". The first bonus track, however, is an alternate mix of "Life in Tokyo" by its producer Giorgio Moroder, lasting 6:17, which was previously unreleased. The cassette incorrectly states that it is the 'Special Remix', which was the 12" single release. The version of "Quiet Life" is exactly the same version as featured previously as track 9. The final three bonus tracks are live versions of "In Vogue", "Deviation" and "Obscure Alternatives", which were originally released in July 1980 as part of the Live in Japan EP which had been recorded in March 1980 in Tokyo.
All tracks are written by David Sylvian, except where noted
| No. | Title | From the album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Adolescent Sex" (Re-recorded version) | original version appeared on Adolescent Sex | 4:15 |
| 2. | "Stateline" | B-side of "Don't Rain on My Parade" single | 4:48 |
| 3. | "Communist China" | Adolescent Sex | 2:43 |
| 4. | "...Rhodesia" | Obscure Alternatives | 6:48 |
| 5. | "Suburban Berlin" | Obscure Alternatives | 5:01 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | From the album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Life in Tokyo" | Giorgio Moroder, Sylvian | 1979 single | 3:33 |
| 7. | "European Son" | B-side of 1980 Japanese "I Second That Emotion" single | 3:40 | |
| 8. | "All Tomorrow's Parties" (Alternate version) | Lou Reed | original version appeared on Quiet Life | 4:15 |
| 9. | "Quiet Life" | Quiet Life | 4:53 | |
| 10. | "I Second That Emotion" | Smokey Robinson, Al Cleveland | 1980 single | 3:46 |
| Total length: | 43:42 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | From the album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11. | "Life in Tokyo" (Moroder "Assemblage" remix) | Moroder, Sylvian | Previously unreleased | 6:17 |
| 12. | "European Son" (Extended remix) | 1982 Steve Nye 12" remix single | 5:35 | |
| 13. | "I Second That Emotion" (Extended remix) | Robinson, Cleveland | 1982 Steve Nye 12" remix single | 5:15 |
| 14. | "Quiet Life" | Quiet Life | 4:53 | |
| 15. | "Fall in Love With Me" | Quiet Life | 4:30 | |
| 16. | "In Vogue" (Live in Tokyo) | Quiet Life. Live version from Live in Japan EP | 6:07 | |
| 17. | "Deviation" (Live in Tokyo) | Obscure Alternatives. Live version from Live in Japan EP | 3:19 | |
| 18. | "Obscure Alternatives" (Live in Tokyo) | Obscure Alternatives. Live version from Live in Japan EP | 6:05 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11. | "European Son" (John Punter 12" mix) | 5:02 | |
| 12. | "I Second That Emotion" (12" remix) | Robinson, Cleveland | 5:17 |
| 13. | "Life in Tokyo" (Pt. 1, Special remix) | Moroder, Sylvian | 4:03 |
| 14. | "Life in Tokyo" (12" remix) | Moroder, Sylvian | 6:17 |
| 15. | "I Second That Emotion" (video) | Robinson, Cleveland | 3:39 |
| 16. | "Life in Tokyo" (video) | Moroder, Sylvian | 3:31 |
| Chart (1981–83) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) [8] | 45 |
| UK Albums (OCC) [3] | 26 |
Japan were an English new wave band formed in 1974 in Catford, South London by David Sylvian, Steve Jansen (drums) and Mick Karn, joined by Richard Barbieri (keyboards) and Rob Dean the following year. Initially a glam rock-inspired band, Japan developed their sound and androgynous look to incorporate electronic music and foreign influences.
Steve Jansen is an English musician, composer and record producer.
Richard Barbieri is an English musician, composer and sound designer. Originally a member of new wave band Japan, more recently he is known as the keyboard player in the progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, which he joined in 1993. Aside from the founder Steven Wilson, he is the longest tenured member of Porcupine Tree.
Tin Drum is the fifth and final studio album by English band Japan, released in November 1981 by record label Virgin. It peaked at No. 12 on the UK charts, and featured the top 5 single "Ghosts". It has received acclaim as the band's best and most original work.
Gentlemen Take Polaroids is the fourth studio album by the English band Japan, released in November 1980 by Virgin Records.
Quiet Life is the third studio album by English new wave band Japan, first released on 17 November 1979 in Canada by record label Hansa.
Obscure Alternatives is the second studio album by English new wave band Japan, released in October 1978 by record label Hansa.
"I Second That Emotion" is a 1967 song written by Smokey Robinson and Al Cleveland. First charting as a hit for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles on the Tamla/Motown label in 1967, "I Second That Emotion" was later a hit single for the group duet Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations, also on the Motown label.
"My Own Way" is the fourth single by Duran Duran, originally released as a single on 16 November 1981.
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"All Tomorrow's Parties" is a song by the Velvet Underground and Nico, written by Lou Reed and released on the group's 1967 debut studio album, The Velvet Underground & Nico.
Exorcising Ghosts is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released in November 1984 by record label Virgin.
The Very Best of Japan is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released worldwide in 2006 by EMI Music.
Life Is a Dance: The Remix Project is a remix album of recordings by American R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan, released by the Warner Bros. Records label in 1989. The compilation takes its title from a track included on Khan's 1978 solo debut album Chaka.
Secrets is a 1981 album by the British pop group The Dooleys, released on GTO Records. It was their final album in the UK.
"Nightporter" is a song by English new wave band Japan. The song originally featured on the band's fourth album Gentlemen Take Polaroids in 1980. However, it was then remixed by Steve Nye and released as a single in November 1982. The single peaked at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart.
Titles is the debut solo studio album by the English new wave artist Mick Karn, released in 1982. The album peaked at No. 74 on the UK Album Chart.
"Life in Tokyo" is a song by the British band Japan. A collaboration with disco producer Giorgio Moroder, who also co-wrote the song with David Sylvian, it marked a change of direction from the band's previous sound. Originally released as a single in 1979, it was reissued twice before it finally became a hit on the UK Singles Chart in 1982.
"European Son" is a song by the British band Japan.
"Quiet Life" is a song by the British new wave band Japan. It is the title track of their 1979 album Quiet Life. The lyrics to the song refer to the problems the band was going through at the time. They had lost their US record contract and Hansa Records had been pressuring them for a hit single in the UK.
