JAPAN – OBSCURE ALTERNATIVES LP – EXC+ A1/B2 1983  DAVID SYLVIAN MICK KARN

Japan – Obscure Alternatives
(Ariola Hansa Records  1983  AHALH8007)
Matrix No’s: A1/B2 – UK Pressing

Sleeve in Excellent/Very Good+ condition
– some wear to edges/corners with small crease on top left corner
Inner Sleeve in Nr MINT/Excellent+ condition

Vinyl in Excellent+ condition
(there are some surface marks visible on the vinyl when held up to the light but they don’t affect the sound quality apart from some light pops/crackles)

Japan were an English new wave music group formed in 1974 in Catford, South London. The band achieved success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, releasing nine UK Top 40 hits in the early 1980s, most notably “Ghosts” and their cover version of “I Second That Emotion”, both top ten hits in 1982.

Japan’s last performance was on 16 December 1982. The band suffered from personal and creative clashes and decided to split during a period when they were beginning to experience significant commercial success both in their native UK and internationally. Following their breakup, the band members went on to pursue other musical projects.

Obscure Alternatives is the second studio album by English new wave band Japan, released in October 1978 by record label Hansa.

Track listing

All songs written by David Sylvian.

Side A

1. “Automatic Gun” – 4:07
2. “…Rhodesia” – 6:48
3. “Love Is Infectious” – 4:10
4. “Sometimes I Feel So Low” – 3:46

Side B

1. “Obscure Alternatives” – 6:50
2. “Deviation” – 3:23
3. “Suburban Berlin” – 4:59
4. “The Tenant” – 7:14

Personnel

Japan

• David Sylvian – lead vocals, guitar, mixing
• Rob Dean – guitar, backing vocals, mixing
• Richard Barbieri – synthesizer, keyboards, mixing
• Mick Karn – bass, backing vocals, saxophone, mixing
• Steve Jansen – drums, backing vocals, percussion, mixing

Additional personnel

• Ray Singer – production, mixing
• Chris Tsangarides – engineer, mixing
• Ian Cooper – mastering
• Fin Costello – sleeve photography