A Very British Synthesizer Group

~ Release by The Human League (see all versions of this release, 4 available)

Annotation

A Very British Synthesizer Group is a four-disc sound and vision anthology of multi-million-selling synth pioneers The Human League. Bringing together all of the hits as well as previously unreleased demos and edits it covers the entire history of the band from their emergence as futuristic outriders of a new post-punk sound, through the phenomenon of Dare and ‘80s chart dominance, their incredible ‘90s renaissance and ascendance to their current position as one of the most glorious and glamorous live acts in the country.

Of the hit singles on CDs 1 and 2, seven appear as previously unreleased DJ edits, while CD3 is comprised entirely of 17 exclusive and previously unreleased mixes. The DVD contains 21 promo videos from this most visual of bands, plus 24 BBC performances, many previously unreleased, from Top Of The Pops, Wogan and Later With Jools. The box set also comes with a 58-page hardback book featuring a new essay from Bowie / Kraftwerk biographer David Buckley, memorabilia and rare photos. The art direction and sleeve illustrations come from renowned Sheffield artist Pete McKee.

Annotation last modified on 2016-09-21 09:47 UTC.

Tracklist

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CD 1
#TitleRatingLength
1Being Boiled
producer:
The Human League
recording of:
Being Boiled
lyricist:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware
4.353:49
2The Dignity of Labour (Part 3)
producer:
The Human League
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Virgin Records Ltd. (not for release label use!) (in 1979)
recording of:
The Dignity of Labour
writer:
Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware
publisher:
BMG Consortium Music Publishing Germany, BMG VM Music Ltd. and Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd. (from 1979 to present)
3:51
3Empire State Human3:10
4Only After Dark (single edit)
engineer and producer:
The Human League and Richard Manwaring
cover recording of:
Only After Dark
writer:
Scott Richardson and Mick Ronson (British guitarist)
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Germany GmbH (2008-today), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS-affiliated) and Mainman Ltd.
3:45
5Nightclubbing
producer:
The Human League and John Leckie
cover recording of:
Nightclubbing
writer:
David Bowie and Iggy Pop
3:00
6Boys and Girls
producer:
The Human League and John Leckie
recording of:
Boys and Girls
miscellaneous support:
Richard Manwaring
writer:
Oakey and Wright (Human League)
3:12
7The Sound of the Crowd (instrumental version)
producer:
The Human League and Martin Rushent
instrumental recording of:
The Sound of the Crowd
lyricist and composer:
Ian Burden and Philip Oakey
4:10
8Hard Times
producer:
The Human League and Martin Rushent
recording of:
Hard Times
lyricist and composer:
Jo Callis, Philip Oakey and Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
publisher:
April Musikverlag GmbH (publisher) (in 1981), Dinsong Ltd. (in 1981), Sound Diagrams (publisher) (in 1981) and Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd. (in 1981)
5:01
9Love Action (I Believe in Love)
producer:
The Human League and Martin Rushent
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Virgin Records Ltd. (not for release label use!) (in 1981)
music videos:
Love Action (I Believe In Love) by The Human League
recording of:
Love Action (I Believe in Love)
lyricist and composer:
Ian Burden and Philip Oakey
publisher:
EMI Virgin Music Ltd. (do not use this as a release label!), April Musikverlag GmbH (publisher) (in 1981), Dinsong Ltd. (in 1981), Sound Diagrams (publisher) (in 1981) and Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd. (in 1981)
3:50
10Open Your Heart
assistant programming and assistant engineer:
David M. Allen (UK producer/engineer/remixer (mainly new-wave/synth-pop/goth))
programming:
Martin Rushent
producer:
The Human League and Martin Rushent
synthesizer:
Ian Burden (in 1981), Jo Callis (in 1981) and Philip Oakey (in 1981)
background vocals:
Joanne Catherall (in 1981) and Susan Ann Sulley (in 1981)
lead vocals:
Philip Oakey (in 1981)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Virgin Records Ltd. (not for release label use!)
recorded at:
Genetic Studios in West Berkshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1981)
recording of:
Open Your Heart (in 1981)
lyricist:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Jo Callis and Philip Oakey
43:55
11Don’t You Want Me
assistant programming and assistant engineer:
David M. Allen (UK producer/engineer/remixer (mainly new-wave/synth-pop/goth))
programming:
Martin Rushent
producer:
The Human League and Martin Rushent
synthesizer:
Ian Burden (in 1981), Jo Callis (in 1981) and Philip Oakey (in 1981)
background vocals:
Joanne Catherall (in 1981) and Susan Ann Sulley (in 1981)
lead vocals:
Philip Oakey (in 1981) and Susan Ann Sulley (in 1981)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Virgin Records Ltd. (not for release label use!)
recorded at:
Genetic Studios in West Berkshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1981)
music videos:
Don’t You Want Me by The Human League
part of:
TV Cream: Real 100 Best Singles Ever (number: 1)
recording of:
Don’t You Want Me (Human League song) (in 1981)
lyricist:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Jo Callis, Philip Oakey and Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
43:57
12Mirror Man23:50
13You Remind Me of Gold
producer:
The Human League and Martin Rushent
recording of:
You Remind Me of Gold
lyricist and composer:
Philip Oakey
3:36
14(Keep Feeling) Fascination (extended version)
producer:
The Human League and Martin Rushent
remixer:
Chris Thomas (UK record producer / remixer)
recording of:
(Keep Feeling) Fascination
writer:
Jo Callis and Philip Oakey
45:00
15The Lebanon (single version)
engineer:
Renate Blauel, Gavin McKillop and Bill Price (UK producer/engineer)
producer:
The Human League, Hugh Padgham and Chris Thomas (UK record producer / remixer)
mixer:
Hugh Padgham
music videos:
The Lebanon by The Human League
recording of:
The Lebanon
lyricist and writer:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Jo Callis
3:43
16Louise (DJ edit)
engineer:
Renate Blauel, Gavin McKillop and Bill Price (UK producer/engineer)
producer:
The Human League, Hugh Padgham and Chris Thomas (UK record producer / remixer)
mixer:
Hugh Padgham
recording of:
Louise
lyricist and writer:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Jo Callis and Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
4:10
CD 2
#TitleRatingLength
1Life on Your Own
engineer:
Renate Blauel, Gavin McKillop and Bill Price (UK producer/engineer)
producer:
The Human League, Hugh Padgham and Chris Thomas (UK record producer / remixer)
mixer:
Hugh Padgham
recording of:
Life on Your Own
lyricist and writer:
Philip Oakey and Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
composer:
Jo Callis
4:08
2Human (extended version)
engineer:
Steve Hodge
co-producer:
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (US hip-hop/soul songwriter, producer & label owner)
producer:
Terry Lewis (US hip-hop/soul songwriter, producer & label owner)
recording of:
Human
writer:
James Harris III and Terry Lewis (US hip-hop/soul songwriter, producer & label owner)
55:00
3I Need Your Loving (DJ edit)
engineer:
Steve Hodge
producer:
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (US hip-hop/soul songwriter, producer & label owner)
edit of:
I Need Your Loving by The Human League
recording of:
I Need Your Loving
writer:
Herman Davis (US soul/doo-wop songwriter), David Eiland, James Harris III, Terry Lewis (US hip-hop/soul songwriter, producer & label owner) and Langston Richey
2:51
4Love Is All That Matters (edit)
engineer:
Steve Hodge
producer:
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (US hip-hop/soul songwriter, producer & label owner)
edit of:
Love Is All That Matters (album version) by The Human League
recording of:
Love Is All That Matters
writer:
James Harris III and Terry Lewis (US hip-hop/soul songwriter, producer & label owner)
publisher:
Flyte Tyme Tunes
2:59
5Heart Like a Wheel (William Orbit remix)
producer:
Martin Rushent
remixer:
William Orbit (English musician, composer and record producer)
remix of:
Heart Like a Wheel by The Human League
recording of:
Heart Like a Wheel
writer:
Jo Callis and Eugene Reynolds
4:51
6Soundtrack to a Generation (edit)4:01
7Tell Me When (radio edit)
producer:
Ian Stanley
mixer:
Dave Bascombe and Mark “Spike” Stent (producer, engineer)
recording of:
Tell Me When
writer:
Paul Beckett and Philip Oakey
4:09
8One Man in My Heart
drum machine programming and assistant producer:
Chris Hughes (Producer. aka Merrick)
producer:
Ian Stanley
mixer:
Mark “Spike” Stent (producer, engineer)
background vocals:
Joanne Catherall and Philip Oakey
lead vocals:
Susan Ann Sulley
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Warner Music UK Ltd. (not for release label use!) (in 1995, in 2020)
recorded at:
The Human League (Sheffield recording studio) (from 1994-02 until 1994-08)
music videos:
One Man in my Heart by The Human League
recording of:
One Man in My Heart
writer:
Philip Oakey and Neil Sutton
24:03
9Filling Up With Heaven
producer:
Ian Stanley
mixer:
Mark “Spike” Stent (producer, engineer)
background vocals:
Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley
lead vocals:
Philip Oakey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Warner Music UK Ltd. (not for release label use!) (in 1995, in 2020)
recorded at:
The Human League (Sheffield recording studio) (from 1994-02 until 1994-08)
music videos:
Filling Up With Heaven by The Human League
recording of:
Filling Up With Heaven
writer:
Philip Oakey and Ian Stanley
4:21
10Stay With Me Tonight (single version)
producer:
Ian Stanley
mixer:
Mark “Spike” Stent (producer, engineer)
recording of:
Stay With Me Tonight
writer:
Philip Oakey and Ian Stanley
4:00
11All I Ever Wanted (radio edit)
producer:
Toy (British production group)
mixer:
Dave Bascombe
recording of:
All I Ever Wanted
writer:
Philip Oakey and Neil Sutton
3:31
12Night People (radio edit)
producer:
I Monster
recording of:
Night People
writer:
Robert Barton and Philip Oakey
3:03
13Never Let Me Go (album version)4:55
14Sky (radio edit)
producer:
I Monster
recording of:
Sky
writer:
Robert Barton and Philip Oakey
3:10
CD 3
#TitleRatingLength
1The Path of Least Resistance (early version)3:20
2No Time (The Word Before Last – early version )3:51
3Being Boiled (State of the Art mix)
recording of:
Being Boiled
lyricist:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware
4:11
4Stylopops You Broke My Heart (Marianne – early version)
recording of:
Marianne (The Human League)
writer:
Ian Craig Marsh, Philip Oakey and Martyn Ware
3:43
5I Am the Law (early version)
recording of:
I Am the Law
lyricist:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Philip Oakey and Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
4:14
6Darkness (early version)
recording of:
Darkness
lyricist:
Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
composer:
Jo Callis and Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
4:17
7Louise (early version)
recording of:
Louise
lyricist and writer:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Jo Callis and Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
4:56
8The Real Thing (early version)3:59
9Love on the Run (early version)3:51
10A Doorway (early version)4:25
11F.M. (Sountrack to a Generation – early version)4:22
12Happening Woman (Filling Up with Heaven – early version)3:22
13Give It Back (Houseful of Nothing – early version)4:37
14New Start (All I Ever Wanted – early version)4:04
15SH5 (Liar – early version)
5:42
16Biller 10 (Single Minded – early version)
recording of:
Single Minded
writer:
Robert Barton and Philip Oakey
3:49
17Jupiter 4c (Sky – early version)
recording of:
Sky
writer:
Robert Barton and Philip Oakey
5:56
DVD 4: The Videos/The Human League at the BBC
#TitleRatingLength
1Circus of Death
music video for:
Circus of Death (single version) by The Human League
recording of:
Circus of Death
lyricist:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware
?:??
2Empire State Human?:??
3Love Action (I Believe In Love)
music video for:
Love Action (I Believe in Love) (single edit) by The Human League
recording of:
Love Action (I Believe in Love)
lyricist and composer:
Ian Burden and Philip Oakey
publisher:
EMI Virgin Music Ltd. (do not use this as a release label!), April Musikverlag GmbH (publisher) (in 1981), Dinsong Ltd. (in 1981), Sound Diagrams (publisher) (in 1981) and Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd. (in 1981)
?:??
4Open Your Heart
music video for:
Open Your Heart by The Human League
recording of:
Open Your Heart
lyricist:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Jo Callis and Philip Oakey
?:??
5Don’t You Want Me
music video for:
Don’t You Want Me by The Human League
recording of:
Don’t You Want Me (Human League song)
lyricist:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Jo Callis, Philip Oakey and Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
?:??
6Mirror Man
music video for:
Mirror Man by The Human League
recording of:
Mirror Man
writer:
Ian Burden, Jo Callis and Philip Oakey
?:??
7(Keep Feeling) Fascination?:??
8The Lebanon
music video for:
The Lebanon (single version) by The Human League
recording of:
The Lebanon
lyricist and writer:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Jo Callis
?:??
9Life on Your Own
music video for:
Life on Your Own by The Human League
recording of:
Life on Your Own
lyricist and writer:
Philip Oakey and Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
composer:
Jo Callis
?:??
10Louise
music video for:
Louise by The Human League
recording of:
Louise
lyricist and writer:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Jo Callis and Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
?:??
11Human
music video for:
Human (7″ edit) by The Human League
recording of:
Human
writer:
James Harris III and Terry Lewis (US hip-hop/soul songwriter, producer & label owner)
?:??
12I Need Your Loving
music video for:
I Need Your Loving by The Human League
recording of:
I Need Your Loving
writer:
Herman Davis (US soul/doo-wop songwriter), David Eiland, James Harris III, Terry Lewis (US hip-hop/soul songwriter, producer & label owner) and Langston Richey
?:??
13Love Is All That Matters
music video for:
Love Is All That Matters (single edit) by The Human League
recording of:
Love Is All That Matters
writer:
James Harris III and Terry Lewis (US hip-hop/soul songwriter, producer & label owner)
publisher:
Flyte Tyme Tunes
?:??
14Heart Like a Wheel?:??
15Soundtrack to a Generation?:??
16Tell Me When
music video for:
Tell Me When (7" edit) by The Human League
recording of:
Tell Me When
writer:
Paul Beckett and Philip Oakey
?:??
17One Man in my Heart?:??
18Filling Up With Heaven?:??
19All I Ever Wanted?:??
20Night People?:??
21Never Let Me Go?:??
1The Path of Least Resistance (Mainstream 6/11/79)?:??
2Rock ’n’ Roll (TOTP 8/5/80)
cover recording of:
Rock and Roll, Part 1
writer:
Gary Glitter and Mike Leander
publisher:
MCA Music Ltd.
?:??
3The Sound of the Crowd (TOTP 30/4/81)
recording of:
The Sound of the Crowd
lyricist and composer:
Ian Burden and Philip Oakey
?:??
4The Sound of the Crowd (TOTP 21/5/81)
recording of:
The Sound of the Crowd
lyricist and composer:
Ian Burden and Philip Oakey
?:??
5Love Action (I Believe In Love) (TOTP 6/8/81)
recording of:
Love Action (I Believe in Love)
lyricist and composer:
Ian Burden and Philip Oakey
publisher:
EMI Virgin Music Ltd. (do not use this as a release label!), April Musikverlag GmbH (publisher) (in 1981), Dinsong Ltd. (in 1981), Sound Diagrams (publisher) (in 1981) and Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd. (in 1981)
?:??
6Open Your Heart (TOTP 8/10/81)
recording of:
Open Your Heart
lyricist:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Jo Callis and Philip Oakey
?:??
7Don’t You Want Me (TOTP 24/12/81)
recording of:
Don’t You Want Me (Human League song)
lyricist:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Jo Callis, Philip Oakey and Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
?:??
8Love Action (I Believe in Love) (Christmas TOTP 25/12/81)
recording of:
Love Action (I Believe in Love)
lyricist and composer:
Ian Burden and Philip Oakey
publisher:
EMI Virgin Music Ltd. (do not use this as a release label!), April Musikverlag GmbH (publisher) (in 1981), Dinsong Ltd. (in 1981), Sound Diagrams (publisher) (in 1981) and Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd. (in 1981)
?:??
9Love Action (I Believe in Love) (Multi Coloured Music Show 30/5/82)
recording of:
Love Action (I Believe in Love)
lyricist and composer:
Ian Burden and Philip Oakey
publisher:
EMI Virgin Music Ltd. (do not use this as a release label!), April Musikverlag GmbH (publisher) (in 1981), Dinsong Ltd. (in 1981), Sound Diagrams (publisher) (in 1981) and Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd. (in 1981)
?:??
10Mirror Man (TOTP 18/11/82)
recording of:
Mirror Man
writer:
Ian Burden, Jo Callis and Philip Oakey
?:??
11(Keep Feeling) Fascination (TOTP 5/5/83)?:??
12The Lebanon (TOTP 3/5/84)
recording of:
The Lebanon
lyricist and writer:
Philip Oakey
composer:
Jo Callis
?:??
13Life on Your Own (TOTP 28/6/84)
recording of:
Life on Your Own
lyricist and writer:
Philip Oakey and Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
composer:
Jo Callis
?:??
14I’m Coming Back (On the Road 25/8/84)
recording of:
I'm Coming Back
lyricist and writer:
Philip Oakey and Philip Adrian Wright (Human League)
?:??
15Rock Me Again and Again and Again and Again (On the Road 25/8/84)?:??
16Human (Wogan 13/8/86)
recording of:
Human
writer:
James Harris III and Terry Lewis (US hip-hop/soul songwriter, producer & label owner)
?:??
17Human (TOTP 28/8/86)
recording of:
Human
writer:
James Harris III and Terry Lewis (US hip-hop/soul songwriter, producer & label owner)
?:??
18Heart Like a Wheel (Wogan 13/8/90)?:??
19Heart Like a Wheel (TOTP 23/8/90)?:??
20Tell Me When (TOTP 22/12/94)
recording of:
Tell Me When
writer:
Paul Beckett and Philip Oakey
?:??
21Tell Me When (TOTP 5/1/95)
recording of:
Tell Me When
writer:
Paul Beckett and Philip Oakey
?:??
22One Man in my Heart (TOTP 16/3/95)
recorded at:
BBC Studios in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom
recording of:
One Man in My Heart
writer:
Philip Oakey and Neil Sutton
?:??
23The Stars are Going Out (Later with Jools Holland 25/11/95)
live recording of:
The Stars Are Going Out
writer:
Philip Oakey and Neil Sutton
?:??
24The Sound of the Crowd (Later with Jools Holland 25/11/95)
live recording of:
The Sound of the Crowd
lyricist and composer:
Ian Burden and Philip Oakey
?:??