The Politics of Dancing (Re-Flex album)

The Politics of Dancing is the debut studio album by the English new wave band Re-Flex, recorded in late 1982 and released in November 1983 by EMI Records,[1] and was, until September 2010, their only officially released studio album. John Punter of Roxy Music fame produced the album at Utopia Studios in London, England.

The Politics of Dancing
Studio album by
Re-Flex
ReleasedNovember 1983
RecordedLate 1982
StudioUtopia Studios (London)
Genre
Length45:31
Label
ProducerJohn Punter
Re-Flex chronology
The Politics of Dancing
(1983)		 Humanication
(1985/2010)
Singles from The Politics of Dancing
  1. "The Politics of Dancing"
    Released: 1983
  2. "Hitline"
    Released: 1983
  3. "Hurt"
    Released: 1983
  4. "Praying to the Beat"
    Released: 1983 (US) / 1984 (EU)
  5. "Sensitive"
    Released: 1983 (EU) /1984 (Germany Only)
  6. "Couldn't Stand a Day"
    Released: 1984 (UK)

The album received moderate success, charting at No. 34 in New Zealand, No. 53 in the United States, and No. 58 in West Germany, but the title track was a big international success and became the band's signature song, causing some to label them a one-hit wonder. Five other singles were released from the album with minor success in the US and UK: "Hitline", "Hurt", "Praying to the Beat", "Couldn't Stand a Day", and "Sensitive".

The album was reissued on CD in 1993 through One Way Records. Jambo Music Ltd., a division of JHP, who publish and administer Re-Flex's catalogue of songs, re-released it as part of a 6-CD box set which also contained the previously unreleased Humanication album and other previously unavailable tracks recorded before and after the band's relationship with EMI.[1] Cherry Red Records issued a 2-CD expanded edition of The Politics of Dancing with bonus material in 2019.

In 2017, the album's title track was prominently featured in the film Atomic Blonde.

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Trouser Pressfavourable[3]

Writing for Trouser Press, music journalist Terry Rompers wrote that "Re-Flex display a knack for penning strong melodies and playing walloping dance grooves, best exemplified on the title track and “Hurt.”"[3]

In a retrospective review for AllMusic, critic Stephen Cook wrote that "the album is mostly a bland array of robotic bass and drums, effects-riddled guitars, and annoying keyboard accents. To the band's credit, the songwriting is impressive at times, especially on the title track and "Hitline," and lead singer Baxter's vocals are admirable in their own, Bowie-rehashed way. The album's future cutout-bin status, though, was sealed with aimless funk like "Jungle" and the Toto-aping MOR of "Sensitive." Approach with tongue firmly in cheek."[2]

Track listing
Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Praying to the Beat"
  • Baxter
  • François Craig
  • Paul Fishman
  • Roland Vaughan Kerridge
3:39
2."Hitline"Fishman3:39
3."Hurt"Fishman5:08
4."Couldn't Stand a Day"
  • Baxter
  • Fishman
4:10
5."The Politics of Dancing"Fishman6:36
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Something About You"Fishman3:39
7."Pointless"Fishman3:50
8."Jungle"
  • Baxter
  • Fishman
  • Kerridge
  • Nigel Ross-Scott
5:25
9."Sensitive"
  • Baxter
  • Fishman
3:28
10."Keep in Touch"Fishman5:57
Total length:45:31
Bonus tracks on 2019 release
No.TitleLength
11."True Lust"4:25
12."Hurt" (12" Pete Smith Emotional Mix — U.K. Version)5:39
13."What You Deserve"3:49
14."The Politics of Dancing" (12" Extended Mix)6:42
15."Cruel World" (12" Extended Mix)5:53
16."Praying to the Beat" (12" Extended Mix)4:10
17."Flex It!" (12" Extended Mix)5:28
18."Hitline" (12" Extended Mix)5:00
19."Cut It" (12" Extended Mix)4:26
20."Hurt" (12" John Luongo Emotional Mix — U.S. Version)6:49
21."The Politics of Dancing" (U.S. 7" Version)4:29
22."Flex It!" (7" Echo Mix)3:45
23."Hurt" (U.S. 12" Rubber Dub Mix)9:27

Personnel

Credits are adapted from The Politics of Dancing liner notes.[4]

Re-Flex

Production and artwork

Charts
Chart (1983–84) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] 77
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[6] 58
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[7] 34
US Billboard 200[8] 53

References
  1. "Re-Flex Connect - Html/Flash Portal". Re-flex.com. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  2. Cook, Stephen. "The Politics of Dancing – Re-Flex". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  3. Rompers, Terry. "The Politics of Dancing – Re-Flex". Trouser Press. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  4. The Politics of Dancing (CD booklet). Re-Flex. EMI Records. 1983.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 249. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  6. "Offiziellecharts.de – Re-Flex – The Politics of Dancing" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  7. "Charts.nz – Re-Flex – The Politics of Dancing". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  8. "Re-Flex Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
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