Description

Although best known as a pioneering 90s danceelectronica act with hits like ldquoSweet Harmonyrdquo, ldquoHellordquo amp ldquoThe Sun Risingrdquo, The Beloved began in 1983 as a fourpiece guitarbased band. Two prestigious John Peel Sessions in 1985 were followed by four independent singles on the nowdefunct Flim Flam label. lsquoWhere It Isrsquo was a compilation of these singles, initially released as a vinyl LP in October 1987. The album was then released on CD in 1988 as an expanded edition, copies of which now sell for in excess of pound100. For the new 2 x CD Special Edition, all the audio has been remastered from the original analogue tapes by John Davis at Metropolis Studios, with the second disc containing previously unreleased demo tracks. The release comes with a 20page booklet with liner notes amp newly found photos of the band from that era.At the time the material was recorded, the band comprised Jon Marsh Vocals, Keyboards, Steve Waddington Guitars, Tim Havard Bass amp Guy Gausden Drums, who produced a sound not dissimilar to peers on NMErsquos seminal C86 compilation. Their first three singles were produced by New Orders studio engineer Michael Johnson, the fourth Forever Dancing was produced by the band themselves.Comments Jon Marsh ldquoDelving back to this era has been a pleasure. Our formative years lost in the giddy excitement of later success, now reclaimed as an almost separate identity. The album is 33 years old. Demos dating back 37 years I was 18 in 1983, twothirds of my life ago My friendship with Steve amp Tim rekindled through this, all good memories. Lets see what the world makes of it in 2020.rdquo CD1 is as per the original CD album with the addition of 3 tracks released on singles but not included on the CD, Saints Preserve Us, Having Fun, amp the Stephen Street remix of Forever Dancing, making the album a virtual facsimile of all their early singles. CD2 comprises 16 tracks. 3 were previously available on a limited edition 7 with the vinyl album of Where It Is, 2 were alternate versions of songs on CD1 from the original vinyl single releases and there is a 7 version of Forever Dancing. The remaining 10 tracks are completely unheardunreleased demos from 19831987. The Beloved CD is available for home delivery from Vinyl Records London, only £10.99