Re-Flex was a British New Wave/ techno-pop/ dance group formed in 1981, featuring John Baxter (vocals/guitar), Paul Fishman (keyboard instruments and vocals), ex-Gloria Mundi member Nigel Ross-Scott (bass), and Roland Kerridge (drums).

The Politics of Dancing

Their single "The Politics of Dancing" was recorded in 1982 and released in the U.S. in 1983. There, it reached #24 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart in beginning of 1984. Re-Flex also became one of the first UK bands to achieve a number one record in the U.S. dance chart and to establish themselves on MTV. At the same time, the song was also a big international hit; in the UK Singles Chart reaching #28 (chart run of 9 weeks), in Canada where the song charted at #9 (chart run of 9 weeks in the Canadian Top 30), in what was West Germany, reaching #25, it was also a success in Switzerland, South Africa, Israel, Holland, Spain, Italy and Australia.

"The Politics of Dancing" was featured in the 1985 film, Red, and the 1998 film, Edge of Seventeen. Re-Flex recorded the song "Cut It" for the soundtrack to the 1984 film Breakin' which was released by Polydor Records.

The band toured the UK, Europe and the United States, where on their first visit they supported The Police who at the time were at their most successful point in their career with their biggest hit, "Every Breath You Take".

Re-Flex released only one album for EMI, The Politics of Dancing, in 1983. The album was re-released by One Way Records in 1993 on CD. Lack of further chart activity leaves the band labelled as one-hit wonders.

Humanication

Recorded in late 1984 and planned for a release in February 1985, Humanication was supposed to be their follow-up album. The style was similar to the previous album but used improved keyboard technology. The only single released from the album, "How Much Longer" on the topic of environmentalism featured Sting on backing vocals. It was a minor hit in West Germany where it charted at #59.

Demo versions of the album were leaked out and currently circulate among techno/dance and Re-Flex enthusiasts. The band's keyboardist, Paul Fishman, released the album unofficially in Canada during 2002 after transferring tracks to CD. These have simple black and white paper inserts with the Re-Flex logo (across the top); the Parlophone / Capitol / EMI logos shown (at the bottom) of the insert, and 'copyright 1985 EMI Records' on the bottom left corner. The recordings were obviously sent out to radio stations and reviewers in anticipation of a February 1985 release.

Re-Flex also released two tracks for the soundtrack to the 1987 film Superman IV - "Life's Too Dangerous" and "Revolution Now".

Back catalogue

Jambo Music, a division of JHP, who publish and administer Re-Flex's catalogue of songs intend to make available The Politics of Dancing and the unreleased Humanication albums. In addition, other previously unavailable tracks will be released as part of a 4 CD collection under the titles Movement of the Action Fraction, Re-Action and Jamming The Broadcast. These recordings were made before and after their relationship with EMI.

Following the release of new information including details about unreleased recordings, a new website has been set-up to deal with making this material available. The Re-Flex site will also include videos, information about the band and merchandise.

Discography

Albums

• 1983 The Politics of Dancing U.S. #53, W. Germany #58
• 1985 Humanication (unreleased)

Singles

• 1983 "The Politics of Dancing" UK #28, U.S. #24, Canada #9, South Africa #19, Switzerland #28, West Germany #25, Australia #11
• 1983 "Hurt" U.S. #82
• 1983 "Couldn't Stand A Day" UK #97
• 1983 "Hitline"
• 1984 "Praying To The Beat" UK #95
• 1984 "Sensitive"
• 1985 "How Much Longer" West Germany #59

See also

• One-hit wonders in the UK
• List of New Wave bands and artists
• List of performers on Top of the Pops

References

External links

• Official JHP Website
• "The Politics Of Dancing", live on [[The Tube], UK Channel 4 @ Youtube]