the arkive

  • Gary Numan - Dance (2018 LP reissue)
Track listing:

A1. Slowcar to China (HD) (9:05)
A2. Night Talk (HD) (4:26)
A3. A Subway Called ‘You’ (HD) (4:36)
B1. Cry, the Clock Said (HD) (9:54)
B2. She’s Got Claws (HD) (4:59)
B3. Crash (HD) (3:35)
C1. Boys Like Me (HD) (4:14)
C2. Stories (HD) (3:09)
C3. My Brother’s Time (HD) (4:35)
C4. You Are, You Are (HD) (4:00)
C5. Moral (Extended Version, previously unreleased (5:41)
D1. Stormtrooper In Drag (4:57)
D2. Face To Face (3:45)
D3. Dance (2:46)
D4. Exhibition (4:26)
D5. I Sing Rain (2:29)

Gary Numan

Dance (2018 LP reissue)

Beggars Banquet
Released 19 January 2018

Gary Numan is a pioneer, and his influence on so many artists is unmistakable and grand. Gary’s style connects him with fans of multiple genres... electronic, industrial, indie-rock, metal, etc. He remains an innovator, and his fan base continues to grow.

He’s been name-checked as an influence by everyone from Kanye West to Foo Fighters and Queens Of The Stone Age, and an ever-growing list of artists have covered and sampled his music. These range from Basement Jaxx to Damon Albarn; Afrika Bambaataa to RZA and GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan.

Dance was Gary Numan’s fifth studio album and was released in 1981. We are excited to reissue this album on purple vinyl, double LP. The original 50 minute album was cut onto a single LP with a resulting compression and compromise to the sound. For this new double vinyl edition, the tracks have been mastered over three sides for improved fidelity and the fourth side contains relevant singles, B-sides and an out-take. Additionally the previously unreleased, full length version of “Moral” has been used to close out the original album. The double LP will be released as a limited edition on purple vinyl in an adapted, color-corrected gatefold jacket with two printed inner sleeves. Transferred from the analogue tapes at Loud Mastering, the original album is also available in 96khz/24 bit high resolution digital.

Dance makes a notable effort by Gary Numan to step away from the synth-pop he was famous for, and experiment with something a little more jazzier, saxophones and all.

Guest on the album include guitarist Rob Dean and (fretless) bassist/saxophonist Mick Karn of Japan, drummer Roger Taylor of Queen, keyboardist Roger Mason of Australian band Models, and Canadian alternative musician Nash the Slash.

From Diffuser FM:
The first noticeable thing about Dance, is the funk-driven bass of "Slowcar to China," it reeks of the influence of the band Japan, who themselves had gone through a transformation from pseudo-glamsters into a refined Roxy Music-inspired band. Numan also made sure he had a new image to go with the new sounds. Gone were the futuristic inspired threads, replaced by the classic traditionalism of a smart suit and tie.

"Night Talk" uses electronics but in a much more minimalist way with funk bass and rhythm box carrying most of the weight while other atmospheres and Numan's vocals ride atop. Elements of David Bowie's famous Berlin period are obviously part of Numan's influence here, painting styles found on Low and Heroes into the mix. The single "She's Got Claws" preceded the album and turned out to be another hit for Numan, hitting the U.K. Top 10 that summer. One of the album's catchiest tracks, it bridges the sound he was leaving behind with the style he was now mining to good effect.