One of my favourite early James singles and the least favourite of the sleeves.
The latter half of 86, all of 87 and early 88 was a strange time to be a James fan. It was also a frustrating time to be in the band and I’m assuming even more frustrating to be part of the label to which the band had signed.
James were uncompromising in how they wanted to sound while Sire Records had made it clear that if they didn’t release material that was more commercial or radio-friendly then nothing would ever see the light of day. In early 1987, a new album was recorded but the label demanded a ‘better’ mix which just wasn’t forthcoming. It really did look for a while as if we had seen the last of the band.
The boys eventually relented and in return the label agreed that they would back a new single which was released in March 1988, a full 18 months after the previous release. It turned out to be a stunning record. Joyous, anthemic and completely radio-friendly. It was surely destined for the Top 10. It even had whistling on it!!
Except……….the record label felt it was still too indie-sounding to be deserving of a promotional push and so again it was left to the late night DJs to try and champion it….but the problem being that the band had been away for too long and nobody was really all that interested.
A crime for which lots of folk should be put in the dock and found guilty.
A 12″ copy of this single sits in the cupboard so here we go:-
mp3 : James – What For (Climax Mix)
mp3 : James – Island Swing
mp3 : James – Not There
Once again, the b-sides are well worth your attention. Island Swing perhaps suffers from having a wee bit too much in the way of harmonica and the second half of the song doesn’t match the opening minute or so which is quite tremendous but there can’t be many bands that have done something this jaunty as a dig at the British Empire and other forms of colonialism – while Not There is an alternative and better version of a song that would later appear on the LP Strip-Mine.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
Came across this great blog which should fill in some gaps
http://asidesbsidesandseasides.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/James
I found a copy of this record in skip outside a reggae music shop in Deptford High Street. I still have it. I have often wondered if the reggae guys threw it in there in a pique of disgust at its lack of King Tubby vibes. Probably not as its probably James’ most reggae inspired single I’m sure you will all agree.
FoW
I stumbled across the very same blog a wee while back.
Maybe I’m a blog-snob, but I’ve never been all that keen when someone simply shoves up tons of songs without much in the way of context. Besides….folk can go there and get all the b-sides right away instead of patiently hanging round this dodgy street-corner waiting on future deliveries!
S-WC
don’t assume it was the reggae guys who threw it in the skip. Such was the state of the relationship it could have been someone from Sire Records!
I agree its the words I like as much as the tracks. However I did get a tad excited with this one as it filled in some gaps I’d given up on finding
I meant to add Sire’s treatment of James was very strange as they had a pretty good record with alternative English bands especially in the states, and yet their messing about with James showed all the signs of classic major label mis management. You are right re What For with a bit of a push it surely would have sold loads
anyone got a sweaty basement club I can dance around in? I love this song, takes me right back. the b-sides were up there too, I seem to recall Island Swing was a sort of follow on from Jonney Yenn – “that look in your eyes you are miles away”…