M (band)
| M | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, England, United Kingdom |
| Genres | New Wave Synthpop |
| Years active | 1978–1984 |
| Labels | MCA |
| Members | Robin Scott (M) |
| Past members | (contributors:) Mark King Wally Badarou Phil Gould Mark Orchin Brigit Novik John Lewis |
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 No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1979, and No. 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.
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Career [edit]
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" (No. 33 in December 1979), "That's the Way the Money Goes" (No. 45 in March 1980) and "Official Secrets" (No. 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]
Discography [edit]
Albums [edit]
Studio albums [edit]
| Year | Album | UK Albums Chart[2] | U.S. Billboard 200 Chart[4] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | New York • London • Paris • Munich |
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| 1980 | The Official Secrets Act |
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| 1981 | Famous Last Words |
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| 1984 | Jive Shikisha! † |
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† Recorded in 1984 – not released until 1998 and credited to Robin Scott & Shikisha.
Compilation albums [edit]
- 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".
Singles [edit]
| Year | Title | UK Singles Chart[2] | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart[6] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | "Moderne Man" |
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| 1979 | "Pop Muzik" |
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| 1979 | "Moonlight and Muzak" |
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| 1980 | "That's the Way the Money Goes" |
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| 1980 | "Official Secrets" |
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| 1981 | "Keep It to Yourself" |
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| 1982 | "Danube" |
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| 1983 | "Eureka" ‡ |
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| 1984 | "Crazy Zulu" ‡ |
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| 1989 | "Pop Muzik" (remix) |
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‡ – billed as Robin Scott
See also [edit]
- 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
References [edit]
- ^ a b c "Biography by Steve Huey". Allmusic.com. 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)
