From the Hip (Section 25 album)
| From the Hip | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 LTM CD reissue sleeve | ||||
| Studio album by Section 25 | ||||
| Released | 1984 | |||
| Recorded | 1983 | |||
| Genre | Techno, alternative dance, electronic, post-punk | |||
| Length | 38:08 | |||
| Label | Factory | |||
| Producer | Bernard Sumner | |||
| Section 25 chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | (3/5)[1] |
From the Hip is the third album by Blackpool band Section 25, released in 1984. Following on from previous album releases Always Now and The Key of Dreams it marked a major departure in terms of sound and scope. Abandoning their harsh original post-punk sound the group embarked upon a new journey into the realms of electronica and techno, with the help of Bernard Sumner (of New Order) who co-produced the album at Rockfield Studios.
The album features subtle yet warm and atmospheric electronic tracks, such as "The Process" and "Inspiration", as well as the techno-style "Looking From A Hilltop" and the lighter synthpop of "Reflection". "Looking From A Hilltop" was remixed by Bernard Sumner and Donald Johnson of A Certain Ratio for single release, with the lengthy "Megamix" version becoming an underground club hit, later sampled by both Orbital and The Shamen, and also described as "legendary" by Pitchfork Media.[2] It was also the first track on Factory Records dance retrospective FAC. Dance.
Artwork
The artwork by Peter Saville and Trevor Key for the album featured a colour-based code that was present on a set of climbing poles on the album's sleeve. The band name and/or album title are spelled out using the same colour code that Saville used on New Order's releases from the same period, including Power, Corruption & Lies, "Blue Monday" and "Confusion".
Reissues
LTM Recordings reissued the album on CD in 1998 with a number of bonus tracks. One of the bonus tracks (the 12" remix of "Beating Heart") contains an early example of the Roland TB-303 producing an acid house style bassline several years before its popularity in club music. A double vinyl edition appeared in 2012 under the Factory Records imprint, with artwork enhanced by Peter Saville.[3] In May 2014 an expanded 30th anniversary 2xCD edition was issued by Factory Benelux, with a bonus disc featuring original demos as well as a BBC radio session from 1984 plus a new recording of Reflection. Both Bernard Sumner and Jon Savage contributed liner notes. The new version of Reflection (subtitled 'Younger Image') was also issued as a limited edition orange vinyl 7" single to mark Record Store Day in April 2014.
Track listing
UK Factory release
- "The Process" – 5:24
- "Looking From a Hilltop" – 4:23
- "Reflection" – 4:44
- "Prepare to Live" – 3:38
- "Program for Light" – 4:00
- "Desert" – 3:28
- "Beneath the Blade" – 4:16
- "Inspiration" – 8:15
1998 LTM reissue
- "The Process" – 5:24
- "Looking from a Hilltop" – 4:23
- "Reflection" – 4:44
- "Prepare to Live" – 3:38
- "Program for Light" – 4:00
- "Desert" – 3:28
- "Beneath the Blade" – 4:16
- "Inspiration" – 8:15
- "Looking from a Hilltop" (Restructure) – 4:38
- "Looking from a Hilltop" (Megamix) – 8:08
- "Dirty Disco II" – 5:28
- "Dirty Disco II" (Pre-Mix) – 4:03
- "Beating Heart" (12 Inch Remix) – 5:05
- "Back to Wonder" (12 Inch Version) – 3:20
- "Beating Heart" (12 Inch Version) – 5:10
"Dirty Disco II" is a harsh electronic reworking of "Dirty Disco" from the band's debut album, Always Now.