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40 Years of "Soul Mining"

October 21, 2023

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Soul Mining is the debut album by British post-punk/synth-pop band the The (the 1981 album Burning Blue Soul was originally released by the band's frontman Matt Johnson as a solo album, but later reissues credited it to the The). After a bidding war between major record labels which resulted in the group signing with CBS Records, Johnson began recording the album in New York City, but the initial recording sessions were aborted after the album's first two singles and Johnson returned to London where he wrote and recorded the rest of the record. Musically, Soul Mining is a post-punk and synth-pop album with influences of the early 1980s New York club scene, while Johnson's lyrics focus on relationship insecurities and social alienation, with imagery derived from dreams.Provided

This week we’re spinning tracks from the era-defining debut studio release from British post-punk/synth-pop band, the The.

Released 40 years ago on October 21, 1983, “Soul Mining” reflects the musical aesthetic of the early 80s New York club scene – with pounding, pumping adrenalin-rushed sonic waves of rhythm and block-rocking beats – combined with frontman Matt Johnson’s probing and provocative lyrics, tiptoeing that fine line between the light and dark sides of the human soul. Upon its release, “Soul Mining” received significant praise from critics yet saw only modest sales. But thanks to a 30th anniversary re-issue a decade ago, today “Soul Mining” is considered one of the best albums of the 1980s, and often called Matt Johnson’s musical tour de force. Let’s revisit an album that many call a musical masterpiece.

Program Playlist, hour 1
Program Playlist, hour 2