Automatic (Gary Numan album)
Encyclopedia
Automatic is a 1989 album released by Sharpe + Numan (a collaboration between Gary Numan
and jazz
keyboardist
/producer
Bill Sharpe
, member of the jazz fusion group Shakatak
). The album was an attempt to recapture their success of their collaboration single "Change Your Mind", which reached number 17 in the UK
charts in 1985. Although "Change Your Mind" was initially supposed to be a one-off single, Numan recalled that "the whole experience was great fun and Bill and I left the door open for more work together." However, Numan was ambivalent about recording a Sharpe + Numan album:
Numan wrote the majority of the song lyrics on Automatic and performed the lead vocals, however, he did not contribute to the writing of the album's music. Backing vocals were provided by Tessa Niles
, who had sung on Numan's four preceding solo albums. Automatic has a more lightweight-pop and commercial style in comparison to Numan's solo material of the time, although its sound is not especially incongruous in the Numan discography. The opening line of the track "I'm on Automatic" ("This is metal rhythm/A new song on the radio") explicitly references Metal Rhythm
, Numan's previous solo album. Most of the album was recorded in late 1987 and part of 1988, but took 18 months for the deal to come together with Polydor Records.
Automatic includes "Change Your Mind" and a remixed version of the third Sharpe + Numan single, "No More Lies" (1988, UK#34). The second Sharpe + Numan single, "New Thing From London Town" (1986, UK#52) was not included on Automatic, presumably because it had already been included (albeit in re-recorded form) on Numan's 1986 solo album, Strange Charm
. "I'm on Automatic" was the only single to be released from Automatic; it reached #44 on the UK singles chart. The album itself reached #59 on the UK Album Chart, eleven spots lower than Metal Rhythm, which was released nine months before. Its disappointing sales led to plans for a second Sharpe + Numan album being abandoned, however, the electro-jazz-pop style of Automatic would influence the general sound of Numan's next solo album, Outland
(1991).
Numan expressed dissatisfaction with Automatics lack of promotion on the part of Polydor Records. Of the album itself, he recalled:
Automatic was out of print for two decades; it was re-released on 18 October 2010 by the London-based reissue label Cherry Pop (CRPOP67). This expanded edition features additional tracks, extensive sleevenotes by Steve Thorpe, track comments from Bill Sharpe & Gary Numan, lyrics to all tracks, and remastered sound by Tim Turan. The release is a Captain Oi! Production (the same team behind the label's Kim Wilde
and Animotion
reissues released in 2009-2010).
and Bill Sharpe except where otherwise noted.
and Bill Sharpe except where otherwise noted.
Sharpe and Numan tracks not included on this re-release include the 12" extended version of "Change Your Mind," the Razormaid remixes of "Change Your Mind," "No More Lies" and "I'm on Automatic;" all known versions of "New Thing from London Town" (original single version, the extended 12" version, and the Strange Charm remake), and the unreleased demo "They Say."
Gary Numan
Gary Numan is an English singer, composer, and musician, most widely known for his chart-topping 1979 hits "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars". His signature sound consisted of heavy synthesizer hooks fed through guitar effects pedals.Numan is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music...
and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
keyboardist
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
/producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Bill Sharpe
Bill Sharpe (musician)
Bill Sharpe was born in Bishop's Stortford and educated at Bishop's Stortford College. From there he studied music at Birmingham University where he gained an honours degree....
, member of the jazz fusion group Shakatak
Shakatak
Shakatak are an English jazz-funk band, founded in 1980.-Career:Shakatak scored a number of chart entries, including two Top Ten hits in the UK Singles Chart, "Night Birds" and "Down on the Street" plus a further 12 entries in the Guinness book of British Hit Singles...
). The album was an attempt to recapture their success of their collaboration single "Change Your Mind", which reached number 17 in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
charts in 1985. Although "Change Your Mind" was initially supposed to be a one-off single, Numan recalled that "the whole experience was great fun and Bill and I left the door open for more work together." However, Numan was ambivalent about recording a Sharpe + Numan album:
Numan wrote the majority of the song lyrics on Automatic and performed the lead vocals, however, he did not contribute to the writing of the album's music. Backing vocals were provided by Tessa Niles
Tessa Niles
Tessa Niles is an English singer, best known as a backing singer for a wide variety of artists.-Early life and career:Born in Kent, Niles began her professional singing career, as both a lead and a backing vocalist, in 1979...
, who had sung on Numan's four preceding solo albums. Automatic has a more lightweight-pop and commercial style in comparison to Numan's solo material of the time, although its sound is not especially incongruous in the Numan discography. The opening line of the track "I'm on Automatic" ("This is metal rhythm/A new song on the radio") explicitly references Metal Rhythm
Metal Rhythm
Metal Rhythm is the 11th studio album, and 9th under his own name, by electronic music pioneer Gary Numan, released in 1988. It is his first album released through IRS Records.- Overview :...
, Numan's previous solo album. Most of the album was recorded in late 1987 and part of 1988, but took 18 months for the deal to come together with Polydor Records.
Automatic includes "Change Your Mind" and a remixed version of the third Sharpe + Numan single, "No More Lies" (1988, UK#34). The second Sharpe + Numan single, "New Thing From London Town" (1986, UK#52) was not included on Automatic, presumably because it had already been included (albeit in re-recorded form) on Numan's 1986 solo album, Strange Charm
Strange Charm
Strange Charm is the tenth studio album, and eighth under his own name, by electronic music pioneer Gary Numan, released in 1986 through by Numa Records. The album was not released in the United States until 1999 when it was issued in a digitally remastered form with five bonus tracks by Cleopatra...
. "I'm on Automatic" was the only single to be released from Automatic; it reached #44 on the UK singles chart. The album itself reached #59 on the UK Album Chart, eleven spots lower than Metal Rhythm, which was released nine months before. Its disappointing sales led to plans for a second Sharpe + Numan album being abandoned, however, the electro-jazz-pop style of Automatic would influence the general sound of Numan's next solo album, Outland
Outland (Gary Numan album)
Outland is the 13th studio album, and tenth under his own name, by electronic music pioneer Gary Numan, released in 1991. It was Numan's second and last studio album to be released by IRS Records, reaching #39 on the UK charts...
(1991).
Numan expressed dissatisfaction with Automatics lack of promotion on the part of Polydor Records. Of the album itself, he recalled:
Automatic was out of print for two decades; it was re-released on 18 October 2010 by the London-based reissue label Cherry Pop (CRPOP67). This expanded edition features additional tracks, extensive sleevenotes by Steve Thorpe, track comments from Bill Sharpe & Gary Numan, lyrics to all tracks, and remastered sound by Tim Turan. The release is a Captain Oi! Production (the same team behind the label's Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde is an English pop singer, author and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the number 2 UK Singles Chart new wave classic "Kids in America". In 1987 she had a major hit in the United States when her version of The Supremes' classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On"...
and Animotion
Animotion
Animotion is a 1980s U.S. New Wave/synthpop band from Los Angeles, California best known for their songs "Obsession" , "Let Him Go", "I Engineer" and "Room to Move"...
reissues released in 2009-2010).
Track listing (1989 edition)
All tracks written by Gary NumanGary Numan
Gary Numan is an English singer, composer, and musician, most widely known for his chart-topping 1979 hits "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars". His signature sound consisted of heavy synthesizer hooks fed through guitar effects pedals.Numan is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music...
and Bill Sharpe except where otherwise noted.
- "Change Your Mind" (Sharpe, Roger Odell) – 4.14
- "Turn Off the World" – 3.58
- "No More Lies" ('89 mix) – 4.02
- "Breathe in Emotion" – 3.25
- "Some New Game" – 4.01
- "I'm on Automatic" – 4.08
- "Rip it Up" – 4.13
- "Welcome to Love" – 3.30
- "Voices" (Numan, Sharpe, Odell) – 3.50
- "Night Life" – 3.41
- "No More Lies" (original 12" mix)* – 7.46
- "I'm on Automatic" (12" mix)* – 7.33
- CD bonus tracks marked with an asterisk.
Track listing (2010 edition)
All tracks written by Gary NumanGary Numan
Gary Numan is an English singer, composer, and musician, most widely known for his chart-topping 1979 hits "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars". His signature sound consisted of heavy synthesizer hooks fed through guitar effects pedals.Numan is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music...
and Bill Sharpe except where otherwise noted.
- "Change Your Mind" (Sharpe, Roger Odell) – 4.12
- "Turn Off the World" – 3.58
- "No More Lies" ('89 mix) – 4.01
- "Breathe in Emotion" – 3.25
- "Some New Game" – 4.00
- "I'm on Automatic" – 4.08
- "Rip it Up" – 4.13
- "Welcome to Love" – 3.29
- "Voices" (Numan, Sharpe, Odell) – 3.49
- "Night Life" – 3.42
- "Love Like a Ghost" (single B-side) - 3:27
- "No More Lies" (7" version) - 3.25
- "I'm on Automatic" (12" extended version) – 7.34
- "Voices" (extended version) - 5:34
- "No More Lies" (12" extended version) - 7.44
Sharpe and Numan tracks not included on this re-release include the 12" extended version of "Change Your Mind," the Razormaid remixes of "Change Your Mind," "No More Lies" and "I'm on Automatic;" all known versions of "New Thing from London Town" (original single version, the extended 12" version, and the Strange Charm remake), and the unreleased demo "They Say."
Musicians
- Gary NumanGary NumanGary Numan is an English singer, composer, and musician, most widely known for his chart-topping 1979 hits "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars". His signature sound consisted of heavy synthesizer hooks fed through guitar effects pedals.Numan is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music...
– lead vocals - Bill Sharpe – keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Roger Odell – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Tessa NilesTessa NilesTessa Niles is an English singer, best known as a backing singer for a wide variety of artists.-Early life and career:Born in Kent, Niles began her professional singing career, as both a lead and a backing vocalist, in 1979...
- backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - John Davies – synthesiser programming (tracks 2 to 12)
- Mitch Dalton – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(tracks 2, 5 and 7) - Linda Taylor – backing vocals (track 1)
Production
- Bill Sharpe – producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- Nick Smith – mixerAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
, engineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including... - Wally Brill – mixerAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
(track 1)
External links
- [ Allmusic]
- Discogs.com