Linx -

Linx was an English soul-funk group from London led by singer David Grant and bassist Peter “Sketch” Martin. They released two 1981 Chrysalis albums and placed six singles on the UK chart, including the Top 20 hits “Intuition,” ,“You’re Lying,” and “So This Is Romance.”

Members: David Grant (lead vocals, percussion), Peter “Sketch” Martin (bass), Bob Carter (keyboards, guitar, percussion, backing vocals), Canute Edwards (guitar), Andy Duncan (drums, percussion), Junior Giscombe (backing vocals)

Background

Linx formed in London when Grant and Martin met as co-workers at a hi-fi shop. Grant worked beforehand in the Island Records press office, while Martin held a post at the Performing Right Society. They recorded an initial demo of Grant originals with an unnamed guitarist, but GTO Records declined the material.

In the spring of 1980, Linx onboarded guitarist Canute Edwards, keyboardist Bob Carter, and drummer Andy Duncan. The expanded lineup recorded “You’re Lying,” which Linx issued in a private run of 1,000 copies through the London specialist shop City Sounds. Carter and Duncan also appeared on the 1980 Hazel O’Connor album and film soundtrack Breaking Glass.

“You’re Lying” clicked with club DJs and impressed Chrysalis, which released the single in September 1980 (b/w “You’re Lying (Instrumental Version)”). It reached No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart. “Rise and Shine” followed in December (b/w “I Won’t Forget (Instrumental)”).

Intuition

Linx released their debut album, Intuition, in March 1981 on Chrysalis.

The album features Grant, Martin, Carter, Edwards and Duncan with saxophonist Chris Hunter on three tracks. Andy Hamilton joins Hunter on “Count on Me,” while trombonist Spike Edney appears on “Count on Me” and “Don’t Get in My Way.” Grant and Martin wrote the ten songs; Edwards shares “I Won’t Forget,” and Burt Salvary shares “You’re Lying.”

“Wonder What You’re Doing Now” sways through a rumbling midtempo figure after a brief sweep of synthesized strings. “I Won’t Forget” pivots from a half-time sway into a sudden double-time rush. “There’s Love” drifts at a near-still tempo beneath Grant’s delicate delivery. “Rise and Shine” bounds through handclaps and a communal chant.

“Throw Away the Key” tumbles across tapping figures before abrupt heavy thuds land against minor-key phrases. “Count on Me” jogs beneath restrained high phrasing and a gentle saxophone line. “Don’t Get in My Way” churns through taut accents as Grant delivers a confrontational social rebuke.

A1. “Wonder What You’re Doing Now” (5:27)
A2. “I Won’t Forget” (4:17) – Grant, Martin, Edwards
A3. “Intuition” (4:01)
A4. “There’s Love” (3:55)
A5. “Rise and Shine” (3:44)

B1. “Throw Away the Key” (5:13)
B2. “Together We Can Shine” (3:59)
B3. “Count on Me” (3:35)
B4. “You’re Lying” (4:45) – Grant, Martin, Salvary
B5. “Don’t Get in My Way” (5:17)

Linx recorded Intuition at Good Earth Studios and Marquee Studios in London under the Solid Foundation production credit (Grant, Martin, Carter). Chris Porter engineered the Good Earth recordings; Tim Painter handled the Marquee sessions and the final mix. Porter had worked at Good Earth on the 1980 David Bowie album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps).

Peter Wagg directed the sleeve artwork. Gered Mankowitz photographed the front sleeve, which presents Grant and Martin as the group’s principal pair; Brian Cooke supplied the insert photography.

Chrysalis issued “Intuition” in February 1981 (b/w “Together We Can Shine”). The single reached No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart.

“Throw Away the Key” followed in June, backed with “The Ice Is Melting,” a non-album Grant/Martin exclusive. The single reached No. 21 on the UK chart.

Intuition reached No. 8 on the UK Albums Chart. In the United States, it reached No. 175 on the Billboard album chart and No. 39 on the Top R&B Albums chart.

Big Break Records reissued Intuition on CD in 2011 with six bonus tracks drawn from the related single and 12-inch releases.

Go Ahead

Linx released their second album, Go Ahead, in October 1981 on Chrysalis.

Grant and Martin assembled a larger studio cast around keyboardist and co-producer Carter. Ex-Nasty Pop bassist Keith Wilkinson plays on “I Don’t Want to Learn” and “Urban Refugee,” while Martin handles the remaining bass parts. Andy Duncan and Bob Jenkins split drum credits.

Guitarist Carlos Morales appears on several tracks; Nile Rodgers plays rhythm guitar on “Tinsel Town (You Don’t Fool Me).” Grant and Martin wrote the nine songs, with Carter sharing “I Won’t Play the Game,” “All My Yesterdays” and “Tinsel Town (You Don’t Fool Me).”

“So This Is Romance” bounds moderato and gathers nuance through successive entries. “I Wanna Be With You” coils around a tense bassline and sharp brass. “Urban Refugee” drifts slowly through moody, off-beat turns. “I Won’t Play the Game” launches into a firm repeating figure while Grant states a hard refusal. “Can’t Help Myself” roils swift before Grant breaks into scat. “All My Yesterdays” glides beneath reflective phrasing and a high, sweet lead.

A1. “So This Is Romance” (4:47)
A2. “I Don’t Want to Learn” (3:28)
A3. “I Wanna Be With You” (4:46)
A4. “Urban Refugee” (4:34)
A5. “I Won’t Play the Game” (4:06) – Carter, Grant, Martin

B1. “Can’t Help Myself” (5:24)
B2. “All My Yesterdays” (4:50) – Carter, Grant, Martin
B3. “Know What It Is to Be Lonely” (3:15)
B4. “Tinsel Town (You Don’t Fool Me)” (5:53) – Carter, Grant, Martin

Linx recorded Go Ahead in the summer 1981 at Scorpio Studios in London with production by Grant, Martin and Carter. Steve Parker engineered the sessions with assistant Bruce Gray. Parker had worked with Colin Newman at Scorpio on the 1980 album A–Z.

Brian Griffin created the front-cover artwork; Griffin and Paul Williams supplied the inner-sleeve photographs. Griffin also photographed Echo & the Bunnymen for their 1981 album Heaven Up Here.

Chrysalis issued “So This Is Romance” in August 1981 (b/w “So This Is Romance (The Rio Mix)”). The single reached No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart.

“Can’t Help Myself” followed in November, backed with “I’m Not Joking,” a non-album Grant/Martin exclusive. It reached No. 55 on the UK chart.

Go Ahead reached No. 35 on the UK Albums Chart.

1982 Singles

Linx released the non-album single “Plaything” in June 1982. David Grant and Derek Bramble wrote the A-side; Grant and Pete Walsh produced the recording. It reached No. 48 on the UK Singles Chart.

A. “Plaything” (3:25)
B. “I Won’t Play the Game” (Re-mix) (3:48)

Chrysalis billed the October follow-up as Linx Featuring David Grant. “Don’t Hit Me with Love” did not enter the UK chart.

A. “Don’t Hit Me with Love” (2:59)
B. “It’s My Life” (3:27)

Postlude

Linx disbanded in early 1983 as Grant launched a solo career. Martin subsequently joined 23 Skidoo. Giscombe had already established a parallel solo career under the name Junior.

In 2022, Cherry Pop issued the four-CD anthology The Ultimate Linx. The set combines Intuition and Go Ahead with single versions, 12-inch mixes and previously unreleased recordings from the Chrysalis archive.

Discography: