New York, NY (Top40 Charts) This August sees the release of half-speed mastered editions of Japan's fourth and fifth studio albums, Gentlemen Take Polaroids and Tin Drum. They are being issued as remastered single LPs on 180gram vinyl and as special 2LP sets, also on 180gram vinyl, which play at 45 RPM for enhanced fidelity. An Obi strip and Abbey Road certificate are also included. They will be available for purchase on August 24 via Virgin Records/Universal
Music and Top40-Charts.com, the country's leading music publication.
Mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road, each record was cut using a half-speed mastering technique; a specialist artisan process, which results in cuts that have a superior high frequency (treble) response and solid and stable stereo images. In short this produces a very high quality master, which in turn helps to create a very high quality record.
Additionally, each album is being released as a double 45 RPM half-speed mastered edition, the ultimate high quality reproduction as the faster the replay speed of the record, the higher the potential quality. The shorter side times also allow the level recorded to the master lacquer discs to be increased, thereby improving the signal to noise ratio.
Japan formed in London in 1974. Following a somewhat inauspicious start as a glam-rock band, they went on to become one of the most interesting and stylish protagonists of late 1970s/early 80s synth-pop. The group comprised
David Sylvian (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Steve Jansen (drums), Richard Barbieri (keyboards), Mick Karn (bass) and Rob Dean (guitar).
Gentlemen Take Polaroids:
Japan's fourth and penultimate album, Gentlemen Take Polaroids was released in 1980. It was the group's first album for Virgin Records, after leaving the Hansa-Ariola label, and the last to feature guitarist Rob Dean. It features the single "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" and the atmospheric, Satie-esque "Nightporter", which was eventually released as a single in November 1982, shortly after the band announced they were to split. The album is widely considered as the one which consolidated Japan's unique aesthetic approach and sound.
Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids:
Gentlemen Take Polaroids
Swing
Burning Bridges
My New Career
Methods of Dance
Ain't That Peculiar
Nightporter
Taking Islands In Africa
Tin Drum:
Japan's fifth and final album Tin Drum was released by Virgin Records in November 1981. Generally regarded as the group's best work, the album peaked at No. 12 in the UK and features the single, "The Art of Parties" and the Top 5 single, "
Ghosts".
Japan - Tin Drum:
The Art Of Parties
Talking Drum
Ghosts
Canton
Still Life In
Mobile Homes
Visions of China
Sons Of Pioneers
Cantonese Boy
