Re-Flex -

Re-Flex was an English synthpop band that released the album The Politics of Dancing in 1983 on EMI. In 1985, they recorded a second album that later appeared as the archival CD Humanication.

Members: John Baxter (vocals, guitar), Paul Fishman (keyboards, computer), Nigel Ross-Scott (bass), Roland Vaughan Kerridge (drums, percussion, programming)

Background

Re-Flex formed in 1981 when Kent-born guitarist–singer John Baxter teamed with veteran keyboardist Paul Fishman.

Fishman was the mastermind of Absolute Elsewhere, an instrumental new age project that involved ex-Yes and King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford. They recorded one album, In Search of Ancient Gods, in 1976 on Warner Bros. He also cut soul-funk singles under the studio monikers N.R.G. and Jambo & Co. In 1980, he appeared on soundtrack recordings for Riding High and (with Leo Sayer) The Missing Link.

Baxter and Fishman initially formed Re-Flex with bassist François Craig and two aspiring drummers: Phil Gould and Mark King. Craig produced the 1981 single “(I Wish I Was a) Camera” by JCB (the John Clay Band, a spinoff of ’77 Brighton punks Joe Cool & The Killers). Gould and King surfaced in Level 42 in the respective slots of drummer and singer–bassist. Drummer Roland Vaughn Kerridge took their spot in Re-Flex.

Ex-Camera Club keyboardist Thomas Dolby introduced Re-Flex to bassist Nigel Ross-Scott, an alumni of prog-punks Gloria Mundi. The lineup of Baxter, Fishman, Kerridge, and Ross-Scott landed a deal with EMI.

“The Politics of Dancing”

In February 1983, Re-Flex released their debut single, the uptempo synth-pop number “The Politics of Dancing,” written by Paul Fishman. Fishman developed song ideas on a pocket tape recorder while traveling, then sequenced them on his Oberheim DSX before presenting demos to the band for sessions. For this song, he brought a nearly complete demo with finished lyrics, inspired by the motion of a passing train.

Re-Flex recorded the song with John Punter, a Sixties Decca apprentice (East of Eden, Keef Hartley Band) and Seventies soundman (Nazareth, Osibisa, Roxy Music, Tempest) with recent credits behind Japan and Spoons.

The 7″ UK single featured “The Politics of Dancing” (4:14) with the b-side “Cruel World,” a group-written songs co-produced by Pete Smith. The US, Canadian, and Japanese 7″ singles had “Flex It!” as the b-side.

Extended versions of “The Politics of Dancing” (6:36) and “Cruel World” appeared as 12″ singles in the UK, Europe, and Australia, while the US 12″ featured an extended “Flex It!” as its b-side.

B. “Cruel World” (4:10 / 5:30)

B. “Flex It!” (3:57 / 5:25)

“The Politics of Dancing” achieved international chart success, peaking at No. 8 on the US Billboard Dance/Disco Top 80, No. 12 in Australia and New Zealand, No. 13 in Canada, and No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart.

The Politics of Dancing (the album)

Re-Flex released their first album, The Politics of Dancing, in November 1983 on EMI (UK, Europe, Oceania) and Capitol (North America). It contains a lengthened version of the pre-released title track and the followup singles “Hitline,” “Hurt,” and “Praying to the Beat.”

Keyboardist Paul Fishman lone-wrote six songs and collaborated on two (“Couldn’t Stand a Day,” “Sensitive”) with guitarist/singer John Baxter. They group-wrote the remaining two (“Praying to the Beat,” “Jungle”) with bassist Nigel Ross-Scott and drummer Roland Vaughan Kerridge.

A1. “Praying to the Beat” (3:38)
A2. “Hitline” (3:37)
A3. “Hurt” (5:07)
A4. “Couldn’t Stand a Day” (4:08)
A5. “The Politics of Dancing” (6:37)

B1. “Something About You” (3:37)
B2. “Pointless” (3:48)
B3. “Jungle” (5:24)
B4. “Sensitive” (3:25)
B5. “Keep In Touch” (5:52)

Sessions occurred at Utopia Studios in Northwest London with John Punter, who produced Re-Flex in in sequence with titles by Haircut One Hundred, Illustrated Man, Judie Tzuke, and Thin Lizzy.

The engineer on Politics of Dancing, Utopia staffer Pete Smith, worked afterward with Sting on the Police frontman’s 1985 solo debut, The Dream of the Blue Turtles.

Re-Flex preceded the album’s UK release with “Hitline” (b/w “Flex It!”). Between April and June 1984, they lifted “Praying to the Beat” and “Couldn’t Stand a Day” as their third and fourth UK singles with the the respective b-sides “Cut It” (a Fishman original) and “What You Deserve” (a group-written exclusive).

B. “Cut It”

B. “What You Deserve”

In the US, “Hurt” became the second single (b/w “Cruel World”). In Germany, EMI lifted “Sensitive” (b/w “Jungle”).

1984–87 Activity

Re-Flex completed their second album, Humanication, in late 1984 for a projected February 1985 release. They released “How Much Longer,” an environmental track with Sting on backing vocals. The single charted in Germany. However, EMI ultimately withdrew the record, citing its political content as too sensitive for their US division. This decision prompted Re-Flex to terminate their contract with EMI. Although unofficial demo versions of Humanication circulated, the album saw its official release only a quarter-century later.

Despite these industry challenges, Re-Flex created further material under the working title Jamming the Broadcast. During this period, they also contributed two songs, “Life’s Too Dangerous” and “Revolution Now,” to the 1987 film Superman IV. Following the completion of these recordings, the group entered a holding pattern but never formally dissolved.

Humanication

In September 2010, Jambo Music Ltd. issued Humanication, the vaulted 1985 second album by Re-Flex.

1. “Humanication” (5:22)
2. “Cold War” (3:26)
3. “Tears Fall Like Rain” (3:45)
4. “Forever and Ever” (3:32)
5. “Playing for Time” (6:13)
6. “How Much Longer” (4:44)
7. “Sending Out a Message” (4:06)
8. “Tell Her That You Love Her” (5:01)
9. “Give It Up” (4:17)
10. “You and I” (4:41)

The original “How Much Longer” 7″ contained a group-written b-side, “True Lust,” excluded from the Humanication CD.

B. “True Lust”

Jamming the Broadcast

In 2010, on the same day as Humanication, Jambo issued Jamming the Broadcast, the vaulted 1987 third album by Re-Flex.

1. “Ain’t Nobody” (3:31)
2. “Down On Your Luck” (4:11)
3. “Revolution Now” (4:30)
4. “Wrong Decision” (3:51)
5. “Jamming The Broadcast” (4:17)
6. “Can You Feel It” (3:39)
7. “Angry Man” (4:47)
8. “Mystery” (5:02)
9. “When Did U Stop Loving Me” (4:14)
10. “It’s Only Me” (4:05)
11. “Recognise Yourself” (3:38)
12. “Chain Reaction” (4:31)
13. “Hide Your Love” (3:15)
14. “Reach Out” (3:15)

Discography: