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

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
CD 3
DVD 4: The Videos/The Human League at the BBC