Names, The - Swimming

REPRESS: Clear vinyl 2xLP in gatefold with download. 

Factory Benelux presents a new vinyl edition of Swimming, the debut album by Belgian new wave group The Names, originally issued in June 1982, and now issued in a limited edition of 300 copies on clear vinyl.

Between 1979 and 1982 The Names recorded a string of excellent records for Factory, Factory Benelux and Les Disques du Crepuscule, all helmed by legendary producer Martin Hannett. Recorded at Strawberry Studios in Manchester, Swimming has come to be regarded as a European cold wave classic, combining strong songwriting from Michel Sordinia and poised, tasteful delivery by guitarist Marc Deprez and keyboards player Christophe Den Tandt.

"Exhibits many of the fine qualities of early 80s avant-rock: icy brutalism, spectral reverb, tormented vocals, techno-tribal rumbles" (Uncut, 12/2000); "Swimming retains a gorgeously shrouded, sepulchral mood" (Mojo, 12/2011); "Intelligent and imaginative" (The Face, 7/1982)

Bonus tracks include the popular singles Calcutta, Nightshift, Spectators of Life and The Astronaut, as well as the band’s John Peel session from February 1982 - the first ever recorded by a Belgian band. The gatefold sleeve features original artwork and poster design by Benoit Hennebert, and photographs by Marc Portee.

2xLP tracklist:

A1. Discovery
A2. Floating World
A3. The Fire
A4. Life By the Sea
A5. White Shadow
B1. Harmony
B2. Shanghai Gesture
B3. Leave Her to Heaven
B4. Light
C1. Music For Someone
C2. Calcutta
C3. Nightshift
C4. The Astronaut
C5. Spectators of Life
D1. Life By the Sea (Peel Session)
D2. Discovery (Peel Session)
D3. Shanghai Gesture (Peel Session)
D4. Harmony (Peel Session)