Madness, a seven-member Ska/Pop band from the UK with a string of successful album and single releases was one of the best representative ska bands from the late ’70s and early ’80s. With their first two albums, Madness conquered the charts with six singles including “One Step Beyond”, “Baggy Trousers”, and “Embarrassment”. Eventually, Madness would climb even further with the ultra-successful track, “Our House” from their fourth album, The Rise & Fall (1982).
On July 23, Union Square Records will re-release the second album by Madness, Absolutely. Released in 1980, Absolutely gave up three big hits, and was awarded Platinum status in the UK. Their first five albums were released by then important label, Stiff Records. On this re-release, the album will get 2CDs with the same content from the 2010 UK reissue of the original album, as well as extras that included B-sides, single edits, and outtakes. The 2nd CD features a live set from December 23, 1980 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. The DVD with the promo videos is not included here. So, if you missed that reissue, here’s your chance to make up for it. The vinyl LP of the title will be re-released alongside the 2CD set in a 180g-weight black vinyl package. The vinyl LP was previously reissued late in 2020 in the UK.
On April 30, BMG will reissue 7 (1981) on 180g-weight vinyl LP.
Absolutely – Madness
CD1 (Original Album/Bonus Tracks)
01 Baggy Trousers
02 Embarrassment
03 E.R.N.I.E.
04 Close Escape
05 Not Home Today
06 On The Beat Pete
07 Solid Gone
08 Take It Or Leave It
09 Shadow Of Fear
10 Disappear
11 Overdone
12 In The Rain
13 You Said
14 The Return Of The
Los Palmas 7
15 In The Rain (Single Version)
16 The Business (B-Side Baggy Trousers)
17 Crying Shame (B-Side Embarrassment)
18 That’s The Way to Do It (B-Side The Return Of The Los Palmas 7)
19 El Regresso De Los Palmas 7 (Spanish Version)
20 Swan Lake (Live) (B-Side The Return Of The Los Palmas 7)
21 Release Me, Close Escape, Solid Gone
CD2 (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – December 23, 1980)
01 One Step Beyond
02 E.R.N.I.E.
03 Mistakes
04 Disappear
05 Bed And Breakfast Man
06 The Return Of The Los Palmas 7
07 Close Escape
08 Overdone
09 Not Home Today
10 Razor Blade Alley
11 My Girl
12 Take It Or Leave It
13 On The Beat Pete
14 Embarrassment
15 Shadow Of Fear
16 You Said
17 In The Middle Of The Night
18 The Prince
19 Baggy Trousers
20 Rockin’ In A F