[Samplebox] -- You might recall Colourbox from my 2019 post about their appearance on the 1987 compilation album, Lonely Is An Eyesore. Well, 40 years ago this week, Colourbox released their one and only full-length studio LP. The record is eponymous, just like their 1983 mini-album and their 2012 boxed set. If you are looking specifically for the 1985 Colourbox, you might have more luck searching by its catalog number: CAD 508. And as far as I can tell, it was an import for the US; I have not seen a US label for it, and it certainly did not chart in the states.
Colourbox is an under-appreciated gem of the 1980s. It is a vibrant and creative debut that – while usually filed under the genres of electronica, dub, and/or synth-pop – actually includes elements of soul, reggae, pop, and even rock guitar. On top of the musicianship and state-of-the-art studio work, this record has a crazy collection of samples from movies like Westworld and TV shows like The Prisoner. Given changes in copyright law, I doubt a record like this could be made today, at least not with this same level of sampled dialog.
So, that variety I mentioned? Well, Colourbox starts with the lovely piano ballad, "Sleepwalker", and then rolls into a masterpiece of guitar, samples, and dance-rock titled "Just Give 'Em Whiskey". For some reason, neither of those tracks were singles. But Colourbox did release "Say You", "Punch", and "The Moon is Blue" as singles, with only that last one getting a music video. These singles did fairly well on the independent charts, but didn't make any kind of dent in the more official hit parade kind of charts. I bet if Colourbox had released their revamp of the Supremes' hit "You Keep Me Hanging On", which is also on this album, they would have rocketed up the charts and secured a more solid place in 80s music history.
What else can I say: Open this box and dance to all the colours.
Flashback: Colourbox (August 12, 1985)
And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
See you in seven!
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