Left to right: Steve Jolley (b. 1950) & Tony Swain (b. 1952)
The daring electro camp of the group Imagination in the 1980s was slightly shocking for some when it first emerged. Through album after album, goods were delivered: Body Talk (1981), In the Heat of the Night (1982) and Scandalous (1983). Favourite tracks: Body Talk, Flashback, In the Heat of the Night, Music & Lights, Just an Illusion, Changes, New Dimension, State of Love and Looking at Midnight. You’ll recognize the album Scandalous: the group dress themselves in plastic bags. Later I saw video of the proficient musicians Imagination playing live.
Based at Red Bus Studios, 34 Salisbury Street, Marylebone London, behind the trio were producers Steve Jolley and Tony Swain, who went on to steer Alison Moyet’s beautiful album Alf (1984). Listen to the song Invisible.
Buying the ‘Best of Imagination’ CD after wearing down my vinyl, I found that only 7″ edits had been included. This taught me the extent to which Jolley & Swain’s production depended on trancy repetition and build-up in longer mixes. The analogue synth bass lines are wonderful. Check out their own album: Backtrackin’ (1984) which is more traditional, but still sweet.
I learned later that like me, Tony Swain and Daniel Miller began working at the former ATV studios in Elstree.
