In some quarters, Madness were still viewed as a novelty act. By mid-1980, the 2 Tone/ska revival movement was still in full swing with albums from The Beat (I Can’t Stop It) and Bad Manners (Ska’n’B). But the Specials’ two hits which bookended ...
Catalogue Number: VIPX-1547 / STIFF-1547
Baggy Trousers
By the middle of 1980, the British music press still didn’t quite know what to make of Madness. While their debut album One Step Beyond… had been a massive success, bursting with ska energy and playful attitude, some critics still lumped the ...
Catalogue Number: BUY 84
Absolutely
An intriguing detail about Absolutely lies in its original vinyl release, which came in two cover variants. On the earlier pressing—of which approximately 10,000 copies were produced—keyboardist Mike Barson is seen holding an umbrella up to his ...
Catalogue Number: SEEZ 29
Absolutely
Released in 1980, Absolutely marks Madness’s second studio album and a defining moment in the band’s early career. Following the breakout success of their debut One Step Beyond…, Absolutely cemented the band’s position in the UK music scene ...
Catalogue Number: SEEZ 29
エンバラスメント
'Embarrassment' was a brave choice for a band who had traded on their sense of fun. Lee Thompson originally had in mind the melody from 'Ghost Dance' by Prince Buster, but Mike Barson had other ideas.
Catalogue Number: VIPX-1567 / STIFF-1567
Embarrassment
When Madness released Embarrassment as the second single from their 1980 album Absolutely, it marked a striking departure from their trademark cheeky exuberance. Up until that point, the band had become synonymous with buoyant, ska-infused pop, ...
Catalogue Number: BUY 102
Return Of The Los Palmas 7
Released on January 16, 1981, The Return of the Los Palmas 7 marked one of the more unexpected turns in Madness’s early chart run—a largely instrumental track, brimming with whimsy and cinematic flair, that somehow stormed into the UK Top 10 ...
Catalogue Number: BUY 108
Return Of The Los Palmas 7
Released on January 16, 1981, The Return of the Los Palmas 7 marked one of the more unexpected turns in Madness’s early chart run—a largely instrumental track, brimming with whimsy and cinematic flair, that somehow stormed into the UK Top 10 ...
Catalogue Number: BUY 108
Return Of The Los Palmas 7
The 12" single included a copy of the first edition of "The Nutty Boys" fan club comic. The demo version of "My Girl" is notable for being the first officially released Madness track to feature a lead vocal by Mike Barson and the live version ...
Catalogue Number: BUYIT 108
アズ・ナッティ・ボーイズ
Despite the allure of the 2-TONE sound, which originated from The Specials and Madness, its influence was overshadowed by a pervasive fashion trend that permeated Japan last summer. This fashion, born from the music, became a mere formality, ...
Catalogue Number: VIP-5907 / STIFF-5907
グレイ・デイ
The Madness album, released by Victor Records in Japan in 1983, is a unique compilation exclusive to the Japanese market. It features a mix of popular and lesser-known tracks that showcase the band’s evolving sound in the early 1980s. Notable ...
Catalogue Number: VIP-5912 / STIFF-5912
Complete Madness
Complete Madness, the first greatest hits album, was a monumental success that resonated across the UK. Issued on April 23, 1982, it featured Madness's biggest hits from their first three studio albums and stand-alone singles. The album's ...
Catalogue Number: HIT-TV1
Complete Madness
Complete Madness, the first greatest hits album, was a monumental success that resonated across the UK. Issued on April 23, 1982, it featured Madness's biggest hits from their first three studio albums and stand-alone singles. The album's ...
Catalogue Number: RML 52014 / HIT-TV1
グレイテスト・マッドネス
Complete Madness, the first greatest hits album, was a monumental success that resonated across the UK. Issued on April 23, 1982, it featured Madness's biggest hits from their first three studio albums and stand-alone singles. The album's ...
Catalogue Number: VIP-6708 / HIT-TV1
グレイテスト・マッドネス
Complete Madness, the first greatest hits album, was a monumental success that resonated across the UK. Issued on April 23, 1982, it featured Madness's biggest hits from their first three studio albums and stand-alone singles. The album's ...
Catalogue Number: VDP-47
Baggy Trousers
In some quarters, Madness were still viewed as a novelty act. By mid-1980, the 2 Tone/ska revival movement was still in full swing with albums from The Beat (I Can’t Stop It) and Bad Manners (Ska’n’B). But the Specials’ two hits which bookended ...
