OK. This is a site specialized in rock ‘n roll, but we can’t deny there’s many good and interesting music from related genres. There was a time when pop music was colorful, flamboyant and full of character; the ’80s. Actually, our beloved genres such as AOR and Westcoast crossed the thin line between rock and pop in many occasions.
Eighties pop delivered several talented artists in the genre, one of them being the British, Bristol-born NIK KERSHAW. Kershaw’s ’84 debut “Human Racing” not only showed his vocal skills and ability to play Guitar, Bass, Keyboards and Percussion, but also Nik’s superb songwriting and the terrific production by Peter Collins (Rush, Queensryche, Gary Moore).
The album achieved platinum sales and a nomination for Best Album at the 1985 Brit Awards.
Its release was greeted by critical acclaim and praise from the likes of Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and prompted Elton John to call Kershaw ‘one of the best songwriters of a generation’.
Incredibly, “Human Racing” has been totally out of print for a number of years, however this “Human Racing [Expanded Edition 2-CD remastered]“ makes justice to this really good album.
Compiled by Nik himself, the package includes the original album digitally re-mastered from the original tapes and an extra CD including 12″ mixes and B-sides.
This extra disc features some tracks that have not previously seen digital release, and one that has not been released at all (“Bogart Extended 12″ Remix).
Kershaw took to Twitter to praise the quality of the new remastering calling it “FA-BU-LOUS”.
“Human Racing” itself is a product of its time. No doubt about it but listening to it again, it’s astounding just how good it still is: superbly dynamic and brilliantly arranged with an emphasis on melody and hooks. Catchy choruses a-plenty, guitar solos and the customary ’80s keyboards and synths.
The four singles released were radio friendly slices of pop/rock that touched on thought provoking lyrics backed up by some memorable tunes.
Many of the remixes that graced the obligatory 12″ format of the day are being available on CD for the first time. Typical of the Eighties, they re-jigged the tracks, looped various aspects of it and gave it a punchy back beat.
Some of them went on a bit, got a little annoying and probably drove you nuts but listening to them today makes me realize just how superior the sound was back in the day to the saturated, compressed and ear-fatiguing trash of today.
Many of you probably never heard about Nik Kershaw. Give to “Human Racing” a try, and also Nik’s follow up ‘The Riddle’, even a bit AOR oriented. You will be pleased.
But regarding this “Human Racing Expanded Edition”, the remastering is quite simply brilliant. Nobody is credited in the liner notes but whoever did the job should be proud of their effort.
Amazing clarity and detail, perfectly balanced with incredible dynamics. It sounds very faithful to the original vinyl: no ridiculous compression and artificial boosting of levels here, exactly how a good remaster should sound.
Turn it up and be moved by the sound. This is Good.
CD 1: “Human Racing” remastered
01 – Dancing Girls
02 – Wouldn’t It Be Good
03 – Drum Talk
04 – Bogart
05 – Gone To Pieces
06 – Shame On You
07 – Cloak And Dagger
08 – Faces
09 – I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
10 – Human Racing
CD 2: The B-sides and 12” mixes
01 – Dancing Girls (Special Hi-Energy 12” Remix)
02 – Bogart (Extended 12” Remix) [prev. unreleased]
03 – Monkey Business (B-side)
04 – Shame on You (Remix – 12” B-side)
05 – Drum Talk (Special Hi-Energy 12” Remix)
06 – Faces (Simon Boswell Remix)
07 – Dark Glasses (B-side)
08 – Wouldn’t It Be Good (Special Extended 12” Mix)
09 – Human Racing (Simon Boswell Remix)
10 – She Cries (B-side)
11 – I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Simon Boswell Remix)
12 – Cloak and Dagger (live at Hammersmith Odeon 1984)
Nik Kershaw – lead and background vocals; vocal percussion and effects; guitar; bass guitar; keyboards; percussion
Paul “Wix” Wickens – keyboards; Fairlight CMI
Charlie Morgan – drums
additional personnel:
Reg Webb – keyboards
Nick Glennie-Smith – keyboards
Don Snow – keyboards
Paul Westwood – additional bass
Martin Ditcham – percussion
Sheri Kershaw – backing vocals on “Faces”
Lynda Hayes – voice-over on “Bogart”
NIK KERSHAW – Human Racing [Expanded Edition 2-CD remastered]
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