A-ha – 45 R.P.M. Club (Japan EP CD)

September 10, 2009 at 1:36 AM | Posted in A-ha | 1 Comment
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45 R.P.M. Club” was the first of four remix Japan only EP CD’s. (the second one was “Twelve Inch Club“, third “Scoundrel Club” and the last was “Road Club“)

Originally released in 1986 with catalog number 28XD-444. Pictured in this post, the 1989 reissue.

The front artwork is inspired on the “The Sun Always Shines on T.V.” Germany and US 12″ singles.

Song Information:

The Sun Always Shines on T.V.” was the second single from A-ha’s debut album. In many countries the single was not as successful as the band’s previous, “Take on Me“, which hit #1 in the U.S. and several countries around the world. In the UK and Ireland, however, it actually improved upon the number two charting of their debut, remaining at the top spot on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in January 1986. The single was certified Silver in the UK. “The Sun Always Shines on T.V.” reached number twenty on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1986.

“Driftwood” was the “The Sun Always Shines on T.V.” b-side.

Take on Me” was originally recorded in 1984, and took three times to chart in the United Kingdom, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart in November 1985. In the United States the song reached the top position of the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1985, mainly due to the wide exposure of its memorable music video on MTV; directed by Steve Barron, the video features the band in a pencil-sketch animation/ live-action combination called rotoscoping. The video won six awards, and was nominated for two others at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards.

My “45 R.P.M. Club” Comments:

The Sun Always Shines on T.V.” is not my favorite A-ha track, but the Steve Thompson & Michael Barbiero remixes live up to the duo’s reputation. “Driftwood” is a worthy b-side, and the extended version of “Take On Me” made its debut on this EP, it would later resurface on “Road Club“.

The “45 R.P.M. Club” is basically the CD version of the US “The Sun Always Shines on T.V.” 12″ single, it features the same tracks plus “Take On Me”.

CD singles were rarely manufactured in 1986, so this was a luxury back then and a nice little gem these days, the rule for most Japan exclusive releases.

Label:

Warner-Pioneer Corporation

Catalog Number:

25P2-2131

Track Listing and Details:

1. The Sun Always Shines On TV (Extended Version) (8:25)

written by Pål Waaktaar, produced by Alan Tarney, remixed by Steve Thompson & Michael Barbiero

2. Driftwood (3:08)

produced by A-ha

3. Take On Me (Extended Version) (4:51)

written by Mags , Harket , Waaktaar, produced by Alan Tarney

4. The Sun Always Shines On TV (Instrumental) (6:38)

written by Pål Waaktaar, produced by Alan Tarney, remixed by Steve Thompson & Michael Barbiero

Rip Information:

Source: CD

Format: mp3

Bitrate: 320 kbps


A-ha – 45 R.P.M. Club (Japan EP CD)

Password: steptothebeat

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A-ha – Scoundrel Club Mini Album (Japan EP CD)

September 10, 2009 at 12:06 AM | Posted in A-ha | 8 Comments
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Scoundrel Club” is a Japan only EP CD that features extended remixes of singles from the albums “Scoundrel Days” and “Hunting High And Low“, as well as a live version of a non-single track. It was originally released in May 1987, and reissued in 1989 with catalog number 15P2-2670.

Song Information:

Cry Wolf” was the second single from their 1986 “Scoundrel Days” album. The lyrics “Night I left the city I dreamt of a Wolf…” are credited to Lauren Savoy whom Pål later married.

It was the most successful single from the album in the U.S., where it peaked at #14 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts and went to #50 on the Hot 100. While it would be their last entry on that chart, the band would continue to have major pop hits from each album release throughout the rest of the world through to the present day. The single went Top 40 nearly everywhere else it was released, including Top 5 chartings in the UK, Poland and Ireland, going to #2 in Norway and to the top spot in Japan.

“We’re Looking For The Whales” is the seventh track on the “Scoundrel Days” album. Included here is a live version recorded in London on the A-ha tour 19th january 1987.

I’ve Been Losing You” was the first single from “Scoundrel Days“. It reached number one in Norway, and number eight in the UK. It achieved world-wide sales of over 2.1 million copies.

Manhattan Skyline” was the third single from “Scoundrel Days“, and reached #13 in the UK Singles Chart. It was co-written by keyboardist Magne Furuholmen and guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy.

Hunting High And Low” was the fourth international single and last one from a-ha’s debut homonymous album. It was released in the summer of 1986 and became the third most successful single from the album on the rock charts, and one of the band’s most recognizable and popular songs. The song didn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but charted in Britain where its peak was #5 and in Ireland where it peaked at #4. The album version was produced by Tony Mansfield and is played with synthesizers, the single remix produced by Alan Tarney features an orchestra.

My “Scoundrel Club” EP CD Comments:

The remixes for “Cry Wolf”, “Manhattan Skyline” and “I’ve Been Losing You” are far more interesting than those included on “Road Club“.

Including the great Jellybean extended remix of “I’ve Been Losing You” instead or besides the dub version would have been nice. But still better than no version at all as this mini-album’s 12″ black vinyl and picture disc counterparts.

The live version of “We’re Looking For The Whales” is a nice addition.

The extended remix of “Hunting High And Low” is already included on “Road Club“, but this was its first appearance since “Scoundrel Club“‘s original issue was released about a year before “Road Club“.

All in all another superb Japan only release.

Label:

Warner-Pioneer Corporation

Catalog Number:

28XD-712

Track Listing and Details:

1. Cry Wolf (Extended Version) (8:14)

produced by Alan Tarney, remix by Gerry Kitchingham , Mags, Pål Waaktaar

2. We’re Looking For The Whales (Live) (3:50)

3. I’ve Been Losing You (Dub) (4:29)

produced by Mags and Pål Waaktaar, remix by Jellybean

4. Manhattan Skyline (Extended Remix) (6:49)

produced by Alan Tarney, remixed by Gerry Kitchingham , Mags , Pål Waaktaar

5. Hunting High And Low (Extended Remix) (6:01)

produced and additional production by Alan Tarney

Rip Information:

Source: CD

Format: mp3

Bitrate: 320 kbps


A-ha – Scoundrel Club Mini Album (Japan EP CD)

Password: steptothebeat

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A-ha – Road Club (Japan Remix EP CD)

September 9, 2009 at 10:36 PM | Posted in A-ha | 3 Comments
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This Japan only CD features extended versions of  singles from the albums “Hunting High And Low” and “Stay On These Roads“, and a non-single track from “Scoundrel Days“. It was released in August 1988.

Song Information:

The Blood That Moves The Body” was originally released June 6, 1988 (1988-06-06) as the second single from “Stay On These Roads“.

Take on Me” was originally recorded in 1984, and took three times to chart in the United Kingdom, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart in November 1985. In the United States the song reached the top position of the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1985, mainly due to the wide exposure of its memorable music video on MTV; directed by Steve Barron, the video features the band in a pencil-sketch animation/ live-action combination called rotoscoping. The video won six awards, and was nominated for two others at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards.

Hunting High And Low” was the fourth international single and last one from a-ha’s debut homonymous album. It was released in the summer of 1986 and became the third most successful single from the album on the rock charts, and one of the band’s most recognizable and popular songs. The song didn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but charted in Britain where its peak was #5 and in Ireland where it peaked at #4. The album version was produced by Tony Mansfield and is played with synthesizers, the single remix produced by Alan Tarney features an orchestra.

“Soft Rains Of April” is the last track from A-ha’s second album “Scoundrel Days“.

My “Road Club” EP CD Comments:

These remixes are far from memorable. Most simply add seconds of instrumental sections and change the order of the lyrics structure.

The extended version of “Stay On These Roads” could have had a little more effort put into it. It’s mostly plain looping of some parts of the original version, you can actually hear the poorly inserted edit points. The original version is the one to go with in my opinion.

The “Take On Me” extended version has a nice opening but sadly omits the great ending chosen for the video version. Instead it fades out just like the album version.

Label:

Warner-Pioneer Corporation

Catalog Number:

25P2-2131

Track Listing and Details:

1. The Blood That Moves The Body (Extended Version) (5:26)

written by Waaktaar, produced and remixed by Alan Tarney

2. Take On Me (Extended Version) (4:51)

written by Mags , Harket , Waaktaar, produced by Alan Tarney

3. Stay On These Roads (Extended Version) (6:13)

written by Mags , Harket , Waaktaar, produced by Alan Tarney, remixed by John Hudson

4. Hunting High And Low (Extended Remix) (6:03)

written by Waaktaar, produced by  Tony Mansfield, additional production by Alan Tarney

5. Soft Rains Of April (Original Mix) (3:14)

produced by a-ha, written by Mags , Harket , Waaktaar

Rip Information:

Source: CD

Format: mp3

Bitrate: 320 kbps


A-ha – Road Club (Japan Remix EP CD)

Password: steptothebeat

To rate this post, click on the comments hyperlink below its title.

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