![]() ![]() I think after a while that overshadowed the music a bit" However, he later said that this began to detract from the music: "We were involved with a lot of political things going on at that time. Weller was also instrumental in the formation of Red Wedge with Billy Bragg. The Style Council took a more overtly political approach than The Jam in their lyrics, with tracks such as "Walls Come Tumbling Down", "The Lodgers", and "Come To Milton Keynes" being deliberate attacks on 'middle England' and Thatcherite principles prevalent in the Eighties. Also, many observers saw even the early albums as indulgent and overly experimental Trouser Press called Café Bleu "too schizophrenic to be a good album". Structurally, many of the band's early singles were not far removed from The Jam's latter-day soul-pop efforts such as "Town Called Malice" and "Beat Surrender", but they were often criticised as overproduced, despite Weller's impressive songwriting. In the place of the Bruce Foxton-Rick Buckler rhythm section were drum and bass parts done entirely on synthesisers. Weller deliberately distanced himself from The Jam's sound and style, with his use of new musical arrangements and instruments in a much slicker, more heavily produced style. To Weller's fans, the decision to split up The Jam at the height of their commercial success was met with considerable controversy. The song remains Weller's greatest success on the American charts (including his efforts in The Jam and as a solo artist), while the group reached the peak of its success in the United Kingdom with the 1985 album Our Favourite Shop. In 1984, the single "My Ever-Changing Moods", backed with the Hammond organ instrumental "Mick's Company", reached #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The Dutch version was heavily imported to the United Kingdom. Near the end of 1983, these songs were compiled on Introducing The Style Council, a mini-album initially released in Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States only. Singles "Speak Like a Child" (with its loud soul-influenced style), the extended funk of "Money-Go-Round", and the haunting synth-ballad "Long Hot Summer" all featured Talbot on keyboards and organ. The band showed a diversity of musical styles. Other artists such as Tracie Young and Tracey Thorn (Everything but the Girl) also collaborated with the group. The permanent lineup grew to include drummer Steve White and Weller's then-wife, vocalist Dee C. Singles "Speak Like a Child" (with its loud soul-influenced style) Read Full Bio The Style Council were an English musical group formed in 1983 by ex-The Jam singer and guitarist Paul Weller with keyboardist Mick Talbot. The original recording is around 5:40, while the remix is around 4:30.The Style Council were an English musical group formed in 1983 by ex-The Jam singer and guitarist Paul Weller with keyboardist Mick Talbot. It can be located on several of the single-disc compilations, however, including the budget-priced 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection. ![]() This version isn't necessarily better, but those Americans with fond memories of the single might be disappointed to learn that it's not included on The Complete Adventures of the Style Council box set. Although the American single version of "You're the Best Thing" was dubbed a remix on the record label, it is in fact an entirely different version of the song, with a new lead vocal by Weller, a different saxophone solo and an almost imperceptibly faster tempo. Gently drifting on a bed of congas and Mick Talbot's old-school keyboards, with just-so orchestral string backing, "You're the Best Thing" has an ease and grace not often associated with Weller, whose persona tends to be a bit more, shall we say, intense than this heartfelt slow-jam love ballad. ![]() The second single from Café Bleu (My Ever Changing Moods in the US), "You're the Best Thing" is the culmination of Paul Weller's early '80s obsession with early '70s soul in general and Curtis Mayfield in particular. ![]()
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