M (band)
| M | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, England, United Kingdom |
| Genres | New Wave Synthpop |
| Years active | 1979–1984 |
| Labels | Sire (North America) MCA (elsewhere) |
| Members | |
| Robin Scott | |
| Past members | |
| (contributors) Mark King Wally Badarou Phil Gould Mark Orchin Brigit Novik |
|
M was English musician Robin Scott's brief but very successful new wave/synthpop project in the late 1970s and early 1980s. M is most known for the 1979 hit "Pop Muzik", which reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1979, and #1 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart on 3 November 1979. Musicians who contributed to M at one time or another included Wally Badarou, Mark King, and Phil Gould, of Level 42.
Contents |
[edit] Career
In 1978, Scott re-christened himself 'M' and recorded the single "Moderne Man," which flopped.[1] However, M's next release, "Pop Muzik," was an instant hit; it featured support from Roogalator bassist Julian Scott (Robin's brother), keyboardist Wally Badarou, programmer John Lewis, and backing vocalist, Brigit Novik (Scott's wife).[1] Demand for an album was met by New York • London • Paris • Munich, which added woodwind player Gary Barnacle and drummer Phil Gould to M's backing band.[1]
M had three other singles that achieved a chart entry in the UK, "Moonlight and Muzak" (#33 in December 1979), "That's the Way the Money Goes" (#45 in March 1980) and "Official Secrets" (#64 in November 1980).[2] M released three studio albums throughout their career: New York • London • Paris • Munich in 1979, The Official Secrets Act in 1980, and Famous Last Words in 1981 which was never released in the UK. A fourth album, Robin Scott with Shikisha, was recorded in 1984 but was not released until 1998.
M's first single "Moderne Man" was later remixed with "Satisfy Your Lust", the B-side of "That's the Way the Money Goes", and appeared as a medley on their album New York • London • Paris • Munich. The original single releases appeared on the 1997 CD re-release. A remixed version of "Pop Muzik" was played before each concert of U2's PopMart Tour.
Only a 1989 remix of "Pop Muzik" returned M to the charts.[3] Meanwhile, Scott worked with Ryûichi Sakamoto on two albums and recorded an album with African artists.[3]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
[edit] Studio albums
| Year | Album | UK Albums Chart[2] | U.S. Billboard 200 Chart[4] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | New York • London • Paris • Munich |
|
|
| 1980 | The Official Secrets Act |
|
|
| 1981 | Famous Last Words |
|
|
| 1984 | Jive Shikisha! † |
|
|
† Recorded in 1984 - not released until 1998 and credited to Robin Scott & Shikisha.
[edit] Compilation albums
- Pop Muzik - The Very Best Of M (1996, Music Collection International)
- Pop Muzik (1997, Collectables Records) Reissue of the US version of New York • London • Paris • Munich.
- 'M' The History - Pop Muzik The 25th Anniversary (2004, Union Square Music)
- Pop Muzik - 30th Anniversary Remixes (2009, Echo Beach) Remix album featuring 13 remixes of "Pop Muzik".
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | UK Singles Chart[2] | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart[6] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | "Moderne Man" |
|
|
| 1979 | "Pop Muzik" |
|
|
| 1979 | "Moonlight and Muzak" |
|
|
| 1980 | "That's the Way the Money Goes" |
|
|
| 1980 | "Official Secrets" |
|
|
| 1981 | "Keep It to Yourself" |
|
|
| 1982 | "Danube" |
|
|
| 1983 | "Eureka" ‡ |
|
|
| 1984 | "Crazy Zulu" ‡ |
|
|
| 1989 | "Pop Muzik" (remix) |
|
|
‡ - billed as Robin Scott
[edit] See also
- List of New Wave bands and artists
- List of artists who reached number one in the United States
- List of artists who reached number one on the Australian singles chart
- List of synthpop artists
- List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Biography by Steve Huey". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p19061/biography. Retrieved 17 February 2009.
- ^ a b c Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 335. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ a b M biography at NME.com; accessed February 2009
- ^ Allmusic.com - Charts & Awards (albums)
- ^ Allmusic.com - Discography
- ^ Allmusic.com - Charts & Awards (singles)
