Artist: ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
Album: ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS HQ VINYL (2LP)

Release date: 2022
EAN/UPS: 0602508656576
Media type: LP

In June 2020 USM will reissue a collection of twenty-two original songs recorded for Julian Temple's 1986 film 'Absolute Beginners'. The album will be available as a 2 LP set, plus a 2LP coloured vinyl edition, exclusive to HMV as part of their centenary celebrations. This release will also mark the first time that all 22 songs have been available on CD, previous versions of this format being highlights only.

The film cast included Patsy Kensit, David Bowie, Eddie O'Connell, Ray Davies, Sade, James Fox, Mandy Rice-Davies and Steven Berkoff (with 'blink and you'll miss it' cameos from Sandie Shaw, Eric Sykes and Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli). The soundtrack album boasts three songs by David Bowie (including the theme song, a 1986 number 2 single) that weren't included on any of his studio albums. It also includes the Sade song 'Killer Blow', Ray Davies first solo single 'Quiet Life', and 'Riot City', an eight-and-a-half minute Jazz instrumental that marked a first solo outing for Jerry Dammers. All three tracks are unavailable elsewhere. In addition there is an extended version of The Style Council single 'Have You Ever Had It Blue'?' also unique to this album.

The album was produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, whose many credits include No. 1 singles for Madness and Dexys Midnight Runners. It features brass arrangements by Gil Evans, widely recognised as one of the key orchestrators in jazz, acclaimed for his collaborations with Miles Davis.

LP1:
    Absolute Beginners - David Bowie
    Killer Blow - Sade
    Have You Ever Had It Blue? - the Style Council
    Quiet Life - Ray Davies
    Va Va Voom - Gil Evans
    That's Motivation - David Bowie
    Having It All - Eighth Wonder
    Rodrigo Bay (7" Version) - Working Week
    Selling out - Slim Gaillard
    Riot City - Jerry Dammers

LP2:
    Boogie Stop Shuffle (Rough and the Smooth) - Gil Evans
    Ted Ain't Dead - Tenpole Tudor
    Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) - David Bowie
    Napoli - Clive Langer
    Little Cat (You Never Had It So Good) - Jonas
    Absolute Beginners (Slight Refrain) - Gil Evans
    Better Git It in Your Soul (The Hot and the Cool) - Gil Evan
    Landlords and Tenants - Laurel Aitken
    Santa Lucia - Ekow Abban
    Cool Napoli - Gil Evans
    So What? (Lyric Version) - Smiley Culture
    Absolute Beginners (Refrain) - Gil Evans