Jackson finished the Night and Day tour in May 1983. He had been asked to contribute a song to Mike's Murder, a film written and directed by James Bridges. He ended up writing both a handful of songs and a few instrumental... more » pieces that were released on a soundtrack album in September. Unfortunately, the film itself was not ready for release then, since it was the subject of a dispute between Bridges and the movie studio that had financed it. The orphaned soundtrack album, however, managed to get into the Top 100 and even spawned a chart single in the Jackson composition 'Memphis', while 'Breakdown' earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. 8 tracks. Digipak. Lilith. 2006.« less
Jackson finished the Night and Day tour in May 1983. He had been asked to contribute a song to Mike's Murder, a film written and directed by James Bridges. He ended up writing both a handful of songs and a few instrumental pieces that were released on a soundtrack album in September. Unfortunately, the film itself was not ready for release then, since it was the subject of a dispute between Bridges and the movie studio that had financed it. The orphaned soundtrack album, however, managed to get into the Top 100 and even spawned a chart single in the Jackson composition 'Memphis', while 'Breakdown' earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. 8 tracks. Digipak. Lilith. 2006.
CD Reviews
The best surprise is how great it sounds
Mark T | St Louis, MO | 05/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'd never heard of Lilith Records--and I knew that Joe Jackson's official web site lists this album as unavailable. When I researched the label (out of Holland), it seemed credible, so I placed the order...
I couldn't be more pleased. Though I can't translate a word of it, the liner notes are likely placing this lost soundtrack at the top of Joe Jackson's list. It is a terrific album. And it sounds fantastic here. Bright, clear and warm. The mastering is superb. It's everything I hoped it would be. And well worth the wait."
Does anyone know what this version sounds like?
DRD | 04/26/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Side one" of this album may be the best side of music Joe's ever put out. Why is it that this guy's best work always falls between the cracks? "Moonlight," which closes side one, is probably his best ballad ever. Soothing, gently swaying, with unique instrumentation that manages to successfully blend orchestral touches and a quieter version of the standard-issue 80s blipping keyboard. "Cosmopolitan" and "1-2-3 Go" take the piano-based sound from Night and Day into more of a rock direction. We've been waiting for this to come out as a CD since its release in 1983, and I'd buy it in a heartbeat, BUT I've never heard of Lilith Records and don't know what the quality is. Can anybody out there speak to the sound quality of this version of this lost classic?
UPDATE: Now that this has apparently fallen out of print, I'd direct fans to "The Ultimate Collection," the third disc of which contains all of Mike's Murder."
Searching for this for years
R. Smart | Long Beach, CA USA | 06/15/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was always my favorite JJ album, after I wore out a cassette I bought it for a dollar on vinyl and have been searching for the CD for years.
'Memphis' and 'Laundromat Monday' were always my favorites, and the rest is just great jazzy pop. If you are a fan, it's a must have.
Even though it's from an unknown label I'm going to take the plunge. I'll report back once I have it in hand and can verify it's quality."
Buy it
A. RANDSDORP | Holland | 10/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have received the package last week. Lilith is an unknown brand but the release is fine. It's not dutch but russian, that is to say, the artwork is partly english and partly in russian. Strange. The songs are in fine condition and seem to be taken from the original mastertapes.
I find it a pity that the review about the film has completely been written in russian and I also think the drawing on the cover is of inferior quality, they'd better used the original layout from the vinyl release.
No extras. But again this is the first ' official ' release of the album and so it finally makes our collection complete. Therefor; buy it!"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1