Scritti Politti Album: “Songs to Remember”

what makes an album timeless? what encourages us to laud certain albums yet consign others to the dustbin of history? the reason i ask is because here's an album that deserves to have thesis's written on it yet is more likely to become a minute footnote in pop's history.

think about it, how many albums can you name that fuse tinny electro pop, reggae sub-bass, sweet soul vocals, jive style double bass solo's and dissertations on semiotic deconstructionalist jacques derrida?

most of us know scritti polliti from their mid eighties album 'cupid & psyche' (which in itself was a victory of literary, intelligant pop), but for those of us in the know - this album was the one... o.k, so as some may point out this 'blue-eyed soul' was perhaps in some ways responsible for the AWFUL bastardisation of Al green, marvin et al by the likes of wet wet wet and hue & cry - but for those who were listening it also pointed a way for popular music to run with the ashes of the politicalised punk movement of the 70's to a place where postmodernism and pop could do each other a great service. where futurism seems the most natural thing in the world. unfortunately, post live aid - rock and pop united in the idea of 'real music' which culminated in the lazy, pompous flag waving of U2 - a curse which has shackled mainstream music ever since. do yourself a favour - if you like music to be challenging, timeless and intelligant.....buy this album.

I loved Cupid & Psyche 85 and Provision so I figured this would be an instant favorite. To be completely honest, it sounds like several songs all playing at once. The singing doesn't seem to match the music. I felt like the vocals were drowned out in some of the songs over the heavy production of instruments and sometimes his own chanting (eg.. Rock-a-bye Blue). Unless you are a die hard Scritti fan, skip this release.

Originally issued in 1982, it was ahead of its times. In 2002, it still is. When I listened to this record for the first time in the Spring of 1983, I felt the sounds, the aura, the freedom from musical cliches were not to be emulated for a while. Today, a couple of thousands of CDs later, the magic of this record still continues. Consider it a fresh, 2002-vintage release of excellent music, rather than a re-issue of a 1982 vinyl. It's a winner beyond styles and decades.

This 1982 release was years ahead of its time laying the groundwork for the trendsetting soph album Cupid & Phyche 85. Once only available in a out of print Japanese import or by searching the U.K. vinyl bins, it is finally getting the proper respect. This is a must have for any devotee of new wave or serious audiophile! The sweeping arangements and breathtaking aural paintings makes Songs To Remember a keeper you'll play over and over wondering why you didn't have this back in 1982. Make up for lost time now and enjoy,enjoy,enjoy. You deserve this album.

perhaps the best scritti ever! forget it if youre thinking wood beez or absolute....that's pure pablum puke pop compared to this work of art.