Martin Ansell - Discography

MARTIN ANSELL

- Discography 1983-1986 -

15 July 1983 UK 7" I'll Be in the Jungle

I'll Be in the Jungle 3.28 [Ansell] / Albania 5.17 [Ansell/Tony Mansfield] (Magnet Music/EMI 5402) Both sides produced by Tony Mansfield.

22 Feb (?) 1985 UK 7"/12" The Eighth Wonder

The Eighth Wonder [7.30 ca] // Infidel (For Chrissie) 2.40 / The Success of Skilled Hands 4.55 (12": 12 IS 218)

A-side produced by Rupert Hine, B-sides produced by Martin Ansell.

1986 European 7"/12" The Englishman Abroad

The Englishman Abroad // Gold Is Obsession / The Eighth Wonder (12: 608 072)

Produced by Rupert Hine.

1986 European 7"/12" Brilliant

Brilliant 5.31 // Gold Is Obsession / The Eighth Wonder (12": 608 015)

Produced by Rupert Hine.

1986 European 7" Big Drum

Big Drum 4.36 / The Eighth Wonder (Island Records, 108 423) Produced by Rupert Hine.

1986 European LP/CD/MC THE ENGLISHMAN ABROAD

LP:

The Englishman Abroad 5.52
Slow Life 5.35
Indian Restaurant 6.03
Hardy's England 5.24
Shine 3.41
Brilliant 5.31
White Bread, Brown Bread 5.16
The Finest Thing 3.53
Big Drum 4.36 (LP: Island Records, 207 631)

CD 1986:

Hardy's England 5.17
Shine 3.41
Slow Life 5.30
Indian Restaurant 5.56
The Englishman Abroad 5.45
White Bread, Brown Bread 5.09
The Finest Thing 3.51
Brilliant 5.20
Gold Is Obsession 4.15 [CD bonus track - B-side Brilliant]
The Eighth Wonder 5.37 [CD bonus track - Single 1985, but here in a unique version/edit]
Big Drum 4.36 (CD: Island Records, 257 631-222)

CD 2002:

Hardy's England 5.17
Shine 3.44
Slow Life 5.30
Indian Restaurant 5.56
The Englishman Abroad 5.45
White Bread, Brown Bread 5.09
The Finest Thing 3.51
Brilliant 5.20
Gold Is Obsession 4.15
The Eighth Wonder 5.37
Big Drum 4.36
Newspeak 5.28 [previously unreleased?]
Infidel (For Chrissie) 2.47 [B-side The Eighth Wonder, but here in a unique version/edit]
If I Could Stop This Train 4.45 [previously unreleased?]
The Success of Skilled Hands 4.57 [B-side 12" The Eighth Wonder] (CD 2002: Blueprint, BP351CD)

Produced by Rupert Hine. You can purchase the 15-track digital album here: https://martinansell.bandcamp.com/album/the-englishman-abroad
On that same page, Martin Ansell tells the long and interesting, and ultimately sad story of the album: "In 1984 Martin Ansell was gigging with a full band in London venues with top quality players... Trevor Morais on drums (The Peddlers, Elkie Brooks, Quantum Jump to name a few).. Andy Geirus (Linton Kwesi Johnson) on lead guitar and new virtuoso bassist Chris Rodel. Martin's music was being noticed by the business. At one gig at the Golden Lion in Fulham Island records owner Chris Blackwell saw Martin and decided to sign him to his label for a long term album deal. Martin chose Rupert Hine to produce his album and it wasn't long before Farmyard studios was booked for a month long session early in 1985. Rupert was enjoying success at the time with Howard Jones and on one session Howard added some high octane keyboard solos to three or four of Martin's tracks. During this period Geoff Jukes took over as Martin's manager with help from Bob Ward (The Fixx's tour manager..another of Geoff's acts) and as a result Martin did some gigs in Europe..some solo and some with bassist Chris Rodel..supporting The Fixx in Holland and Germany, Van Morrison and Chris Isaak in Holland. When the album 'The Englishman abroad ' was finished Rupert played the mixes to Chris Blackwell. The original plan was to release it as the first CD on Island records but Chris now had other ideas. Instead of the standard 3/4 minute song format he persuaded Rupert to try stretching some of the tracks to give the music a more progressive feel. As a result songs like 'Indian restaurant', Brilliant' and the title track became 6 minute mega mixes...which was very much in vogue at the time. Unfortunately for Martin by the time the album was released a change of A and R at the London office gave the project a luke warm reception. Dave Robinson had come straight from Stiff records and his brash style angered both Martin and Geoff. Aside from releasing 'The Eighth Wonder' as a single Robinson refused to promote the album any further in England. Geoff flew to America to confront Chris Blackwell who said he had to let his new department have their 'honeymoon' period. In truth Chris had become distracted by the film business and the first big Island success with 'The Kiss of the Spider Woman'. As a result the London office fell into disarray and many acts were lost or dropped. Bitterly disappointed, Geoff tore up Martin's contract...convinced he could get another label to take the album on. Together he and Martin met with record labels in New York but they all said that it would have to be re-produced with a completely different sound. And so 'The Englishman Abroad' was cast adrift in the sea of obscurity....a curious memento at the end of the affluent era of pop..... Ps: 'The Eighth Wonder' did become successful as a hit renamed 'Duende' by Spanish superstar Miguel Bose."

Last update 2021-01-28.

Martin Ansell at discogs.com

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