In Embrace

In Embrace were an English alternative music band formed in Leicestershire in 1981 and later based in Coventry. They released seven singles, two albums and an EP/mini-album before splitting up in 1987.

In Embrace
OriginLeicestershire, England
GenresAlternative music
Years active1981 (1981)–1987 (1987)
LabelsGlass, Cherry Red
Associated actsEyeless in Gaza, Kevin Hewick
Past membersGary Knight
Cameron Lindo
Richard Formby
Peter Becker
Clive Dove
Joby Palmer
Steven Rees
Claire Johnson
Amanda Lydon

History

The band was formed in Leicestershire in 1981 by Gary Knight (vocals,keyboards, guitar) and Cameron Lindo (guitar,keyboards,vocals).[1][2] The duo had previously been in the short-lived post-punk band, 3-Way Dance but, inspired by the likes of Eyeless in Gaza, Bron Area, Durutti Column and Young Marble Giants formed in Embrace 'to explore a broader emotional palette'. They released their debut EP, The Initial Caress, on Glass Records in May 1982.[1] Encouraged by several radio airplays by DJ John Peel, they next released the "Sun Brings Smiles" single a few months later in 1982 along with the album Passionfruit Pastels.

Lindo left shortly after, with Knight alone featuring on the second single "The Living Daylights" in 1983. Knight then recruited former Religious Overdose guitarist Richard Formby.[1] Adding former next-door neighbour Sinatras drummer Joby Palmer, the band's second album Too was released in 1983.[1] Ex-Tuffs bassist Steve Rees joined this line-up which released two singles – "Your Heaven Scent" and "Shouting in Cafes". The latter song was recorded for Glass Records but eventually released on Cherry Red Records receiving airplay support from DJ Janice Long. The band's second single on Cherry Red – "This Brilliant Evening" – featured guitarist Clive Dove in place of Formby. The band based themselves in Coventry for most of their time together. Their line-up changed several times with Knight remaining the only constant member and others including Peter Becker of Eyeless in Gaza.[1] Becker played bass, keyboards and various instruments on the band's final two singles – "A Room Upstairs" and "What's Got into Me?" and on every track of their final album, Songs About Snogging, which was due for release in 1987 by Glass, but was shelved after completion due to financial issues and remains unreleased to this day.

Formby was later a member of Spectrum and The Jazz Butcher[1] and has gone on to be a successful producer, including two albums for Wild Beasts.[1] Palmer went on to play in Eyeless in Gaza.[1] Guitarist Clive Dove played guitar and bass for many other bands including Russian For Money, bassist Rees went on to play with Marina Del Ray.

A selection of the band's recordings for Glass Records were released on the album Wanderlust in 1986. The band's recordings for Cherry Red appeared several times on compilations released by the label, including five tracks on A Fine Day...and a Brilliant Evening: Cherry Red Rarities 1983–1985, a split album with Jane and Barton and Grab Grab the Haddock released in 2003.[3][4]

In 2015, Glass Records was relaunched as Glass Redux with their first release being Passionfruit Pastels on CD and download for the first time with rare bonus tracks and a booklet containing unseen photos and extensive background notes by Gary Knight.

Later in 2015, Glass Redux released The Initial Caress on CD for the first time with 6 previously unreleased demo tracks and a booklet featuring unseen photos and extensive background notes by Gary Knight.

Passionfruit Pastels received a 4-star review in the February 2016 issue of Mojo magazine, describing it as "a ravishing rediscovery".

Too was re-released by Glass Redux at the end of 2018 as a Grande Edition featuring a remastered version of the original album plus 9 bonus tracks including the 12-inch Extended version of Shouting In Cafés, Your Heaven Scent and two version of The Living Daylights. Again, the CD included a booklet featuring rare photos and extensive background notes by Gary Knight. To coincide with the album's release, previously-unseen footage from the 1983 recording session was released on Youtube featuring moments filmed by the band with producer John A. Rivers at Woodbine Recording Studio in Leamington Spa.

The February 2019 issue of Mojo included an early In Embrace track from the Passionfruit Pastels album - Our Star Drawn Through Panes - on the magazine's free monthly CD ""Swoon: 15 Alternative Pop Gems From The 1980's"".

In August 2019, the Emotional Rescue label announced the forthcoming release of "The Living Daylights" as a 12-inch vinyl EP featuring four versions of The Living Daylights - the 9-minute long 'Original Uncut Mix', the 'Live In Studio' live band version and two brand new mixes by DJ Timothy J. Fairplay. The single was released on March 23, 2020 (during the Covid-19 outbreak).

Discography

Albums
  • The Initial Caress (1982 Mini Album), Glass, (2015 CD + demos & digital album), Glass Redux
  • Passionfruit Pastels (1982 LP), Glass, (2015 CD + bonus tracks & digital album), Glass Redux
  • Too (1983 LP), Glass, (2018 Grande Edition CD + bonus tracks & digital album), Glass Redux
  • Songs About Snogging (1987), Glass (never released)
Compilations
  • Wanderlust (1982–1984 LP) (1986), Glass
  • This Brilliant Evening (1986), Music-Box/Cherry Red
  • A Fine Day & A Brilliant Evening (2003), CD with Jane & Barton Grab Grab The Haddock Cherry Red

Singles, EPs
  • Sun Brings Smiles (1982 7-inch), Glass
  • The Living Daylights (1983 7-inch), Glass
  • Your Heaven Scent (Plays Hell With Me) (1984 12+7-inch), Glass
  • Shouting in Cafés (1985 12+7-inch), Cherry Red
  • This Brilliant Evening (1985 12+7-inch), Cherry Red
  • A Room Upstairs (1986 12+7-inch), Glass
  • What's Got into Me? (1987 12-inch EP), Glass
  • The Living Daylights (Timothy J. Fairplay Remixes) (2020 12-inch EP), Emotional Rescue
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References
  1. Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 323, 376, 381, 518
  2. Denim, Sue (1999) "In Embrace Biography", artistdirect.com. Retrieved 25 March 2013
  3. Unterberger, Ritchie "A Fine Day...and a Brilliant Evening: Cherry Red Rarities 1983–1985 Review", AllMusic. Retrieved 25 March 2013
  4. McDonald, Steven "Ambition, Vols. 1–2: The History of Cherry Red Records Review", AllMusic. Retrieved 25 March 2013
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