Hello,
Today's artist (born 21 September 1947, Wimbledon) is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, having produced albums for artists including Kevin Ayers, Tina Turner, Howard Jones, Saga, The Fixx, Bob Geldof, Thompson Twins, Stevie Nicks, Chris de Burgh, Suzanne Vega, Rush, Underworld, Duncan Sheik, Formula and Eleanor McEvoy. In addition, he has recorded eleven albums, including ones billed under his own name, the pseudo-band name Thinkman, and as a member of the band Quantum Jump... N Joy
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Although also a recording artist in his own right, Rupert Hine earned perhaps his greatest recognition as one of the most successful and prolific producers of the synth pop era. As half of the duo Rupert & David, he made his recording debut at the age of 16 with the 1965 single "The Sound of Silence"; it was not a success, and so he maintained a low profile until 1971, venturing out as a solo performer with the LP Pick Up a Bone. After issuing his second solo effort, 1973's Unfinished Picture, Hine turned to production with Kevin Ayers' Confessions of Dr. Dream. In 1976 he began fronting the trio Quantum Jump, debuting that year with a self-titled album and releasing the follow-up Barracuda a year later. Around 1978 he began accepting more and more production work, helming albums from Anthony Phillips, the Members, and Camel, guiding the latter to their most commercially successful effort, I Can See Your House from Here.
Returning to solo work with 1981's Immunity, Hine also found success producing Saga's Worlds Apart and Chris de Burgh's The Getaway. His breakthrough year was 1984, when he helmed Howard Jones' smash Human's Lib as well as Tina Turner's comeback smash Private Dancer; the subsequent success of Jones' Dream into Action and the Power Station's self-titled debut confirmed Hine's status as one of the hottest producers around. Under the guise of Thinkman, he returned to solo work in 1986, reuniting with Turner that same year for Break Every Rule, and in 1987 he produced the Thompson Twins' Close to the Bone, followed in 1989 by Stevie Nicks' The Other Side of the Mirror. At the same time Hine also began working with Rush, producing their LP Presto as well as its 1991 follow-up, Roll the Bones.His last solo effort was the ambient Deep End (95). He now releases records sporadically, always with poetic lyrics written by his wife, but has concentrated since on production, one of those people that have been greatly influencing modern pop music, but prefers to stay out of the limelight.
In 2008, Hine oversaw the direction of the compilation album Songs for Tibet: The Art of Peace, and also contributed to it a remixed version of his song, "The Heart of the Matter" (from The Deep End). In 2008, during the Beijing Olympics, the album was iTunes third most downloaded around the globe. Hine wrote two songs for Le Cheshire Cat et moi, a 2009 CD by Nolwenn Leroy which was produced by Teitur Lassen. In 2011 Rupert Hine, launched Auditorius, a joint music publishing project with BMG Rights Management. In November the same year, following a glowing citation from Bob Geldof, Rupert was honoured by the APRS with a Sound Fellowship Award; presented to recognise special contributions to the 'Art, Science and Business of Recording'. Hine joined Joe Boyd, Clive Green, Bob Ludwig, Jimmy Page and Chris Thomas to receive the award from Sir George Martin, APRS President, who together with an elite group of past recipients; sound and music innovators, including Sir Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Chris Blackwell, also holds a Fellowship Award.
In March 2015 Esoteric Recordings (part of Cherry Red Records) issued "Unshy on the Skyline",[6] a compilation from a trio of albums Hine made between 1981 and 1983, Immunity, Waving Not Drowning and The Wildest Wish to Fly, complemented by the lyrics of poet and artist Jeannette-Thérèse Obstoj, and featuring guest contributions from musicians Robert Palmer, Phil Collins and guitarist Phil Palmer. The album has been re-mastered by Hine's long time friend and sound engineer Stephen W Tayler, who had recorded, mixed and co-produced the original albums. To recognise the Dalai Lama's 80th birthday in July 2015, the Art of Peace Foundation commissioned Hine to produce Songs for Tibet II, to celebrate and honour the Dalai Lama's vision. A follow-up to the Grammy-nominated Songs for Tibet that Hine produced in 2008, artist contributions came from Sting, Peter Gabriel, Lorde, Kate Bush, Elbow, Duncan Sheik, Howard Jones, The Family Crest, Ed Prosek, Of Monsters & Men, Bob Geldof, Crystal Method, Rival Sons, Eleanor McEvoy and Hine himself.
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Although his 1981 LP Immunity had received critical acclaim, Hine's next two albums (Waving Not Drowning and The Wildest Wish to Fly) garnered cold reviews. In the meantime, he had become a high-profile record producer, scoring hits with the Fixx, Tina Turner, Howard Jones, and Chris DeBurgh. Putting the reaction of the press over his solo work on the count of his success behind the mixing desk (which could very well have been true), Hine presented to Island Records an album and movie project titled Thinkman. He planted the first seed while producing the soundtrack for the movie Better Off Dead, which was to include some of his songs, by crediting the track "Come to Your Rescue" to Thinkman, a fictive group including him, Matthew Harte, Cellophane, and Leo Hurll (all characters in the developing script).
The movie part of the project was quickly abandoned due to a lack of financing, but the concept was salvaged. Hine hired actors to portray the bandmembers and rumors were sparked about a group of people known has Thinkman infiltrating the media to reveal the "real truth" to the world about media manipulation. The Formula, the group's first album, came out in 1986. Greg Crutwell (playing drummer Joe McArthur), Andy Baker (bassist Andy Paris), and Julian Clary (keyboardist Leo Hurll) flanked Hine in the videos for the title track and "Best Adventures," along with a host of TV appearances. The new romantic look of the band fitted Hine's intelligent pop tunes. The true nature of the album and project remained concealed. Hine performed all instruments on the records, except for the occasional guests (including Fixx guitarist James West-Oram, who appeared on all three)
The Formula, Thinkman's first album, sticks close to this idea (the title track begins with the lines "It's an interview/But it's a second take"). During the early '80s, Hine followed an evolution that led him from disturbing art pop to intelligent but more commercial songs. The Formula is pretty much middle-of-the-road but has a harder edge than the singer's previous LP. Songs like the title track "The Ecstasy of Free Thought" and "The Days of a Champion" are fueled by newly found energy and feature the hook-filled melodies that made Hine an important part of England's '80s pop music. More importantly, there are no weaker tracks, no jumping off the bandwagon for a quick one. As far as concept pop albums go, this one is particularly successful. The Fixx's James West-Oram provided guitar tracks and Stewart Copeland (ex-The Police) plays some real drums whenever the producer felt the machine was not enough -- they are both featured on the closer "There Shines Our Promised Land." This album is more than a marketing curiosity, it can be considered as an essential part of Hine's discography. The album did well in the U.K. and Island requested two more before the end of the decade.
Thinkman - The Formula ( 269mb)
01 Best Adventures 4:48
02 The Formula 7:17
03 Legend 4:36
04 The Ecstasy Of Free Thought 5:45
05 The Conflict 4:23
06 The Challenge 4:24
07 The Days Of A Champion 4:40
08 There Shines Our Promised Land 7:34
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The second album by Rupert Hine's fake group Thinkman, Life Is a Full Time Occupation expanded the theme of media manipulation that was its main objective, but only halfheartedly. The topic was wearing thin. "Watchman, Walkman, Thinkman," "Willpower," and "Voices in Local Time" do complement well the material found on The Formula (and to a certain extent they could be leftovers). This verse from "Voices in Local Time" sums up the message Hine was trying to get through: "Don't trust in the slogan/Don't fall for the line/They'll be eating your mind." The other songs mostly fall in the category of mid-'80s dance-pop tunes: simple, light, somehow uninvolved. Hine is a careful producer and a good songwriter, so even when he aims low he hits the target, but fans of his usually intelligent (even intellectual) pop will be disappointed by "Never a Tear" and "Dance Yourself Sane," which both sound closer to Thomas Dolby circa Aliens Ate My Buick than vintage Hine. He would strike a better balance for Thinkman's final album, Hard Hat Zone. Chester Kayman and the Fixx's James West-Oram contribute good guitar parts but they are not enough to raise the level of this weaker effort.
Thinkman - Life Is a Full Time Occupation ( 272mb)
01 Watchman, Walkman, Thinkman 4:50
02 Bad Angel 4:52
03 Never A Tear 5:20
04 Life Is A Full Time Occupation 3:15
05 Walking On My Shadow’s Head 5:10
06 Dance Yourself Sane 4:10
07 Willpower 4:35
08 Slow Game 4:45
09 Voices In Local Time (Remix Andrew Scarth) 5:10
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The third and last album by Rupert Hine under the disguise of the ghost group Thinkman, Hard Hat Zone walks away from the subjects of media manipulation and information games. Most of the pieces, still written by Hine with lyrics by Jeannette Obstoj, deal with environmental themes, with titles like "Mother Nature's Angry" and "November Whale" being quite explicit. The tone becomes vehement but also preachy in the solemn "Take Them to the Traitors' Gate," dedicated to Prince Charles (his involvement with environmental causes was avant-gardist at a time when it was not yet fashionable). The songs don't have the impact and hook-laden melodies of those on The Formula, but the singer/producer still did a good job. One can discard the failed hit single "Hard Hat Zone" to concentrate on "Who's Winning the Human Race?," "Act of Love," and "Exploring This World (Without Moving Too Much)." Geoffrey Richardson (Caravan) and Phil Palmer (Penguin Café Orchestra) add viola and guitar to Hine's keyboard tracks, but overall this album remains in the synth pop realm. Production is impeccable and even when not particularly inspired the man was able to churn out good songs, but Hard Hat Zone is more for the completist than the casual listener.
Thinkman - Hard Hat Zone ( 324mb)
01 Hard Hat Zone 4:39
02 Mother Nature's Angry 4:00
03 Who's Winning The Human Race ? 3:18
04 Unite It, Don't Divide It 3:28
05 November Whale 7:22
06 Act Of Love 5:32
07 Take Them To The Traitors' Gate 5:24
08 Think About It 2:43
09 Exploring This World (Without Moving Too Much) 3:21
10 The A To Z Of You And Me 5:32
11 Hard Hat Zone (extended) 8:03
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Underworld's beginnings as a New Wave band is less surprising than it should be. There are no traces of House here, but if you listen to their later albums closely, they always returned to that sound a little. It's not just the occasional funky bass, but Hyde's vocals. Wasn't "M.E." written during this stage of the band? Karl Hyde's voice is so unique, so full of personality - a bizarre enigma that can never be solved but is still fun - that it's a wonder he operates now in a largely instrumental genre. Underneath the Radar stops being surprising once you reach the last minute of "Glory! Glory!". If I had a voice like Hyde's, I'd start a funk-influenced New Wave band too.
Underneath the Radar has their weirdness, but without the negativity. Like the dudes from Talking Heads, Hyde doesn't sound like he grew up with partying, but like the classroom oddball. Only he and the band sound comfortable in being weird. They don't set out to knock down any establishment or make a statement. They celebrate the weirdness. It's a party with no cool kids where everyone's welcome. The songwriting isn't as good as it should be. "Call Me No. 1" and the title-track are both killer, but the rest is just okay. "Miracle Party" is a gorgeous one-minute ballad that can easily be confused for something from Oblivion With Bells. It's worth listening more than just a curiosity. It's more than just than 'Huh, look how different Underworld used to be'. Why say no to a New Wave album that gets the genre right? Produced by Rupert Hine.
Underworld - Underneath The Radar ( 480mb)
01 Glory! Glory! 5:51
02 Call Me No.1 4:56
03 Rubber Ball (Space Kitchen) 3:36
04 Show Some Emotion 4:25
05 Underneath The Radar 6:05
06 Miracle Party 1:26
07 I Need A Doctor 4:51
08 Bright White Flame 5:10
09 Pray 5:43
10 The God Song 6:00
Underworld - Underneath The Radar(ogg 174mb)
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Today's artist (born 21 September 1947, Wimbledon) is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, having produced albums for artists including Kevin Ayers, Tina Turner, Howard Jones, Saga, The Fixx, Bob Geldof, Thompson Twins, Stevie Nicks, Chris de Burgh, Suzanne Vega, Rush, Underworld, Duncan Sheik, Formula and Eleanor McEvoy. In addition, he has recorded eleven albums, including ones billed under his own name, the pseudo-band name Thinkman, and as a member of the band Quantum Jump... N Joy
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Although also a recording artist in his own right, Rupert Hine earned perhaps his greatest recognition as one of the most successful and prolific producers of the synth pop era. As half of the duo Rupert & David, he made his recording debut at the age of 16 with the 1965 single "The Sound of Silence"; it was not a success, and so he maintained a low profile until 1971, venturing out as a solo performer with the LP Pick Up a Bone. After issuing his second solo effort, 1973's Unfinished Picture, Hine turned to production with Kevin Ayers' Confessions of Dr. Dream. In 1976 he began fronting the trio Quantum Jump, debuting that year with a self-titled album and releasing the follow-up Barracuda a year later. Around 1978 he began accepting more and more production work, helming albums from Anthony Phillips, the Members, and Camel, guiding the latter to their most commercially successful effort, I Can See Your House from Here.
Returning to solo work with 1981's Immunity, Hine also found success producing Saga's Worlds Apart and Chris de Burgh's The Getaway. His breakthrough year was 1984, when he helmed Howard Jones' smash Human's Lib as well as Tina Turner's comeback smash Private Dancer; the subsequent success of Jones' Dream into Action and the Power Station's self-titled debut confirmed Hine's status as one of the hottest producers around. Under the guise of Thinkman, he returned to solo work in 1986, reuniting with Turner that same year for Break Every Rule, and in 1987 he produced the Thompson Twins' Close to the Bone, followed in 1989 by Stevie Nicks' The Other Side of the Mirror. At the same time Hine also began working with Rush, producing their LP Presto as well as its 1991 follow-up, Roll the Bones.His last solo effort was the ambient Deep End (95). He now releases records sporadically, always with poetic lyrics written by his wife, but has concentrated since on production, one of those people that have been greatly influencing modern pop music, but prefers to stay out of the limelight.
In 2008, Hine oversaw the direction of the compilation album Songs for Tibet: The Art of Peace, and also contributed to it a remixed version of his song, "The Heart of the Matter" (from The Deep End). In 2008, during the Beijing Olympics, the album was iTunes third most downloaded around the globe. Hine wrote two songs for Le Cheshire Cat et moi, a 2009 CD by Nolwenn Leroy which was produced by Teitur Lassen. In 2011 Rupert Hine, launched Auditorius, a joint music publishing project with BMG Rights Management. In November the same year, following a glowing citation from Bob Geldof, Rupert was honoured by the APRS with a Sound Fellowship Award; presented to recognise special contributions to the 'Art, Science and Business of Recording'. Hine joined Joe Boyd, Clive Green, Bob Ludwig, Jimmy Page and Chris Thomas to receive the award from Sir George Martin, APRS President, who together with an elite group of past recipients; sound and music innovators, including Sir Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Chris Blackwell, also holds a Fellowship Award.
In March 2015 Esoteric Recordings (part of Cherry Red Records) issued "Unshy on the Skyline",[6] a compilation from a trio of albums Hine made between 1981 and 1983, Immunity, Waving Not Drowning and The Wildest Wish to Fly, complemented by the lyrics of poet and artist Jeannette-Thérèse Obstoj, and featuring guest contributions from musicians Robert Palmer, Phil Collins and guitarist Phil Palmer. The album has been re-mastered by Hine's long time friend and sound engineer Stephen W Tayler, who had recorded, mixed and co-produced the original albums. To recognise the Dalai Lama's 80th birthday in July 2015, the Art of Peace Foundation commissioned Hine to produce Songs for Tibet II, to celebrate and honour the Dalai Lama's vision. A follow-up to the Grammy-nominated Songs for Tibet that Hine produced in 2008, artist contributions came from Sting, Peter Gabriel, Lorde, Kate Bush, Elbow, Duncan Sheik, Howard Jones, The Family Crest, Ed Prosek, Of Monsters & Men, Bob Geldof, Crystal Method, Rival Sons, Eleanor McEvoy and Hine himself.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Although his 1981 LP Immunity had received critical acclaim, Hine's next two albums (Waving Not Drowning and The Wildest Wish to Fly) garnered cold reviews. In the meantime, he had become a high-profile record producer, scoring hits with the Fixx, Tina Turner, Howard Jones, and Chris DeBurgh. Putting the reaction of the press over his solo work on the count of his success behind the mixing desk (which could very well have been true), Hine presented to Island Records an album and movie project titled Thinkman. He planted the first seed while producing the soundtrack for the movie Better Off Dead, which was to include some of his songs, by crediting the track "Come to Your Rescue" to Thinkman, a fictive group including him, Matthew Harte, Cellophane, and Leo Hurll (all characters in the developing script).
The movie part of the project was quickly abandoned due to a lack of financing, but the concept was salvaged. Hine hired actors to portray the bandmembers and rumors were sparked about a group of people known has Thinkman infiltrating the media to reveal the "real truth" to the world about media manipulation. The Formula, the group's first album, came out in 1986. Greg Crutwell (playing drummer Joe McArthur), Andy Baker (bassist Andy Paris), and Julian Clary (keyboardist Leo Hurll) flanked Hine in the videos for the title track and "Best Adventures," along with a host of TV appearances. The new romantic look of the band fitted Hine's intelligent pop tunes. The true nature of the album and project remained concealed. Hine performed all instruments on the records, except for the occasional guests (including Fixx guitarist James West-Oram, who appeared on all three)
The Formula, Thinkman's first album, sticks close to this idea (the title track begins with the lines "It's an interview/But it's a second take"). During the early '80s, Hine followed an evolution that led him from disturbing art pop to intelligent but more commercial songs. The Formula is pretty much middle-of-the-road but has a harder edge than the singer's previous LP. Songs like the title track "The Ecstasy of Free Thought" and "The Days of a Champion" are fueled by newly found energy and feature the hook-filled melodies that made Hine an important part of England's '80s pop music. More importantly, there are no weaker tracks, no jumping off the bandwagon for a quick one. As far as concept pop albums go, this one is particularly successful. The Fixx's James West-Oram provided guitar tracks and Stewart Copeland (ex-The Police) plays some real drums whenever the producer felt the machine was not enough -- they are both featured on the closer "There Shines Our Promised Land." This album is more than a marketing curiosity, it can be considered as an essential part of Hine's discography. The album did well in the U.K. and Island requested two more before the end of the decade.
Thinkman - The Formula ( 269mb)
01 Best Adventures 4:48
02 The Formula 7:17
03 Legend 4:36
04 The Ecstasy Of Free Thought 5:45
05 The Conflict 4:23
06 The Challenge 4:24
07 The Days Of A Champion 4:40
08 There Shines Our Promised Land 7:34
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
The second album by Rupert Hine's fake group Thinkman, Life Is a Full Time Occupation expanded the theme of media manipulation that was its main objective, but only halfheartedly. The topic was wearing thin. "Watchman, Walkman, Thinkman," "Willpower," and "Voices in Local Time" do complement well the material found on The Formula (and to a certain extent they could be leftovers). This verse from "Voices in Local Time" sums up the message Hine was trying to get through: "Don't trust in the slogan/Don't fall for the line/They'll be eating your mind." The other songs mostly fall in the category of mid-'80s dance-pop tunes: simple, light, somehow uninvolved. Hine is a careful producer and a good songwriter, so even when he aims low he hits the target, but fans of his usually intelligent (even intellectual) pop will be disappointed by "Never a Tear" and "Dance Yourself Sane," which both sound closer to Thomas Dolby circa Aliens Ate My Buick than vintage Hine. He would strike a better balance for Thinkman's final album, Hard Hat Zone. Chester Kayman and the Fixx's James West-Oram contribute good guitar parts but they are not enough to raise the level of this weaker effort.
Thinkman - Life Is a Full Time Occupation ( 272mb)
01 Watchman, Walkman, Thinkman 4:50
02 Bad Angel 4:52
03 Never A Tear 5:20
04 Life Is A Full Time Occupation 3:15
05 Walking On My Shadow’s Head 5:10
06 Dance Yourself Sane 4:10
07 Willpower 4:35
08 Slow Game 4:45
09 Voices In Local Time (Remix Andrew Scarth) 5:10
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
The third and last album by Rupert Hine under the disguise of the ghost group Thinkman, Hard Hat Zone walks away from the subjects of media manipulation and information games. Most of the pieces, still written by Hine with lyrics by Jeannette Obstoj, deal with environmental themes, with titles like "Mother Nature's Angry" and "November Whale" being quite explicit. The tone becomes vehement but also preachy in the solemn "Take Them to the Traitors' Gate," dedicated to Prince Charles (his involvement with environmental causes was avant-gardist at a time when it was not yet fashionable). The songs don't have the impact and hook-laden melodies of those on The Formula, but the singer/producer still did a good job. One can discard the failed hit single "Hard Hat Zone" to concentrate on "Who's Winning the Human Race?," "Act of Love," and "Exploring This World (Without Moving Too Much)." Geoffrey Richardson (Caravan) and Phil Palmer (Penguin Café Orchestra) add viola and guitar to Hine's keyboard tracks, but overall this album remains in the synth pop realm. Production is impeccable and even when not particularly inspired the man was able to churn out good songs, but Hard Hat Zone is more for the completist than the casual listener.
Thinkman - Hard Hat Zone ( 324mb)
01 Hard Hat Zone 4:39
02 Mother Nature's Angry 4:00
03 Who's Winning The Human Race ? 3:18
04 Unite It, Don't Divide It 3:28
05 November Whale 7:22
06 Act Of Love 5:32
07 Take Them To The Traitors' Gate 5:24
08 Think About It 2:43
09 Exploring This World (Without Moving Too Much) 3:21
10 The A To Z Of You And Me 5:32
11 Hard Hat Zone (extended) 8:03
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Underworld's beginnings as a New Wave band is less surprising than it should be. There are no traces of House here, but if you listen to their later albums closely, they always returned to that sound a little. It's not just the occasional funky bass, but Hyde's vocals. Wasn't "M.E." written during this stage of the band? Karl Hyde's voice is so unique, so full of personality - a bizarre enigma that can never be solved but is still fun - that it's a wonder he operates now in a largely instrumental genre. Underneath the Radar stops being surprising once you reach the last minute of "Glory! Glory!". If I had a voice like Hyde's, I'd start a funk-influenced New Wave band too.
Underneath the Radar has their weirdness, but without the negativity. Like the dudes from Talking Heads, Hyde doesn't sound like he grew up with partying, but like the classroom oddball. Only he and the band sound comfortable in being weird. They don't set out to knock down any establishment or make a statement. They celebrate the weirdness. It's a party with no cool kids where everyone's welcome. The songwriting isn't as good as it should be. "Call Me No. 1" and the title-track are both killer, but the rest is just okay. "Miracle Party" is a gorgeous one-minute ballad that can easily be confused for something from Oblivion With Bells. It's worth listening more than just a curiosity. It's more than just than 'Huh, look how different Underworld used to be'. Why say no to a New Wave album that gets the genre right? Produced by Rupert Hine.
Underworld - Underneath The Radar ( 480mb)
01 Glory! Glory! 5:51
02 Call Me No.1 4:56
03 Rubber Ball (Space Kitchen) 3:36
04 Show Some Emotion 4:25
05 Underneath The Radar 6:05
06 Miracle Party 1:26
07 I Need A Doctor 4:51
08 Bright White Flame 5:10
09 Pray 5:43
10 The God Song 6:00
Underworld - Underneath The Radar(ogg 174mb)
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Hello,
ReplyDeleteLink for The Formula doesn't work...
By the way, thank you for all your posts!
Hmmm, it shouldn't happen but i solved the Formula now....N-Joy
ReplyDeletePerfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks
Hello, any chance of all the Thinkman albums get re-posted?
ReplyDeletehope so. Thanks.
- D