Rhythm of Life
{{other uses|Rhythm of Life (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Rhythm of Life
| type = studio
| artist = Paul Haig
| cover = Rhythm of Life cover.jpg
| released = November 1983
| recorded = 1983
| studio = * Sigma Sound (New York City)
- RAK (London)
| genre = * New wave
| length = {{Duration|m=36|s=22}}
| label = * Island
| producer = * Alex Sadkin
- Paul Haig
| year = 1983
| next_title = The Warp of Pure Fun
| next_year = 1986
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Rhythm of Life
| type = studio
| single1 = Heaven Sent
| single1date = April 1983
| single2 = Never Give Up (Party Party)
| single2date = July 1983
| single3 = Justice
| single3date = October 1983
| single4 = Blue for You
| single4date = 1983
}}}}
Rhythm of Life is the debut studio album by the Scottish musician Paul Haig, released in November 1983 by Island Records. It was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in New York City and RAK Studios in London with renowned record producer Alex Sadkin, known for his work on multiple albums by Grace Jones, and Thompson Twins. The album features guest musicians such as Bernie Worrell of Parliament-Funkadelic, Anton Fier of the Feelies and the Golden Palominos, and Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins. Four singles were released from Rhythm of Life: "Heaven Sent", "Never Give Up (Party Party)", "Justice" and "Blue for You". The track "Adoration" was originally performed while Haig was still a member of the post-punk band Josef K.{{cite web | url=https://lesdisquesducrepuscule.com/rhythm_of_life_twi188cd.html | title=Rhythm of Life | Paul Haig | les Disques du Crépuscule }} The album spent 2 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at No. 82.
In 2004, LTM remastered and re-issued the album on CD for the first time with five bonus tracks taken from the 1984 mini album Rhythm of Life Remixes. These are extended dance remixes by New York disc jockey (DJ) Bruce Forest. The same track listing was issued again in 2014 on Les Disques du Crépuscule.
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Raggett|first=Ned|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rhythm-of-life-mw0001005799|title=Rhythm of Life – Paul Haig|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=10 May 2020}}
}}
In a retrospective review for AllMusic, critic Ned Raggett described the album as "something of a strained effort, finding Haig coming to grips with his dancefloor aspirations but not quite hitting the bull's-eye." Adding that "he often sounds like a guest on his own record -- the exception, besides his singing, being his recognizable guitar parts, though often they are buried in the arrangements. His voice frankly sounds unpleasant as well."
Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_writing = Paul Haig, except where noted.
| headline = Side one
| title1 = Heaven Sent
| length1 = 3:57
| title2 = Never Give Up (Party Party)
| length2 = 3:24
| title3 = Adoration
| music3 = Jack Waldman
| length3 = 3:00
| title4 = Stolen Love
| length4 = 4:41
| title5 = Don't Rush In
| music5 = James Locke
| length5 = 3:56
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side two
| total_length = 36:22
| title6 = Blue for You
| music6 = James Locke
| length6 = 4:36
| title7 = In the World
| length7 = 4:23
| title8 = Justice
| length8 = 4:19
| title9 = Work Together
| length9 = 4:06
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Bonus tracks on the 2004 re-release
| title10 = Heaven Sent
| note10 = Remix
| length10 = 6:00
| title11 = Blue for You
| note11 = Remix
| length11 = 7:15
| title12 = Never Give Up
| note12 = Remix
| length12 = 6:14
| title13 = Stolen Love
| note13 = Remix
| length13 = 5:35
| title14 = Justice
| note14 = Remix
| length14 = 5:10
}}
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the Rhythm of Life liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=Rhythm of Life|others=Paul Haig|year=1983|publisher=Island Records|type=CD booklet}}
Musicians
- Paul Haig – lead and backing vocals; guitars; drum machine programming
- Jack Waldman – keyboards; drum machine programming
- Bernie Worrell – keyboards
- Tom Bailey – keyboards; percussion
- Anton Fier – percussion
- Mike Nocito – percussion
- JS Subera – percussion
- Tina Baker – backing vocals
- Nikki Lauren – backing vocals
- Karen Brown – backing vocals
Production and artwork
- Alex Sadkin – producer
- Paul Haig – producer; sleeve concept
- Phil Thornalley – engineer
- John Potoker – engineer
- John Dent – mastering engineer
- Sheila Rock – photography
Charts
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col" | Chart
! scope="col" | Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|UK|82|artist=Paul Haig|album=Rhythm of Life|rowheader=true|accessdate=10 May 2020}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Discogs master|85015}}
{{Paul Haig}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rhythm Of Life}}
Category:Albums produced by Alex Sadkin
Category:Island Records albums
{{1980s-pop-album-stub}}