ASWAD

British reggae band from London who established themselves as a top roots reggae band on the UK scene.  However, they opted for a gentler, more commercial sound as the 80s progressed, scoring a surprise British #1 single with Don't Turn Around.

Don't Turn Around

1988, UK. Mango/Island Records (ISP 341)
1. Don't Turn Around
2. Woman

Very regal-looking plaque-style logo shape on the front, while the band get to pose with horses on the flip.  This single was a reggae-flavoured cover of an obscure Tina Turner b-side.  It was again covered by Ace Of Base successfully in the 90s, though the Swedes clearly based their cover on Aswad's arrangement.

On And On

1989, UK. Mango/Island Records (MNGP 708)
1. On And On
2. Feelings

This disc features the palm tree that has traditionally been the logo of Island Records from its inception.

ASIA

Progressive rock supergroup with AOR leanings, formed in London, England by Steve Howe (Yes), John Wetton (King Crimson and several other bands), Geoff Downes (Buggles, Yes) and Carl Palmer (ELP).  Their early records included minor hit singles, but fans lost interest after too many line-up changes.

Don't Cry

1983, UK. Geffen Records (WA 3580)
1. Don't Cry
2. True Colors

The odd quasi-Masonic logo you see here (those eyes...) appears at the apex of a pyramid on the band's second album, Alpha.  What can it all mean?

THE ART OF NOISE

Studio-based house-band of the London-based ZTT label initially, the production crew consisted of session musicians who help record the first Frankie Goes To Hollywood plus super-producer Trevor Horn (a former member of The Buggles and Yes) and music journalist Paul Morley, whose main responsibility was penning sleeve notes.  The band creating electronic instruments with sampled voices and, often, very heavy drumbeats that were later sampled in hip-hop records.  However, after one album, the session musicians (who included notable orchestral arranger Anne Dudley) split with Morley and Horn and took the name to a new label.

Moments In Love

1985, UK.  ZTT Records (P ZTPS02)
1. Moments In Love Is....Going Slowly
2. Beat Box Is...The Confidence Trick (And The Hare)

The tortoise-shaped disc is outlined with examples of the masks used by the band initially to hide their identities, as they wished to be presented as a faceless band.

Peter Gunn

1986, UK, China Records (WOK P 6)
1. Peter Gunn
2. Something Always Happens

This image of a hand clutching a medal containing the Art Of Noise's initials is taken from the artwork of their album In Visible Silence. This instrumental was originally written by Henry Mancini for the TV series of the same name, but was also famously covered by Duane Eddy.  The veteran guitarist added a new recording of his lead guitar line for this version.

Paranoimia

1986, UK.  China Records (WOK P 9)
1. Paranoimia
2. Why Me

This rectangular disc shows a television set containing Max Headroom, the supposedly computer-generated TV presenter who supplied guest vocals here.  In truth, Headroom was actually Canadian actor Matt Frewer under a ton of prosthetic make-up.

ANTHRAX

Seminal thrash metal band from New York, NY, USA, who are now considered one of the enduring 'big four' bands of the genre.  The group also were one of the first metal bands to experiment with rap music, eventually working with Public Enemy and influencing the controversial 'nu-metal' genre of the 00s.

I'm The Man

1987, UK. Island Records (ISP 338)
1. I'm The Man (Def Uncensored Version)
2. Caught In A Mosh (Live Version)

This simply features a disc shaped around the band's logo.  Rock and metal bands did that quite a lot in the 80s.

ANIMAL NIGHTLIFE

Jazz-pop band from London, England, who displayed a mod-friendly 60s soulful sound with 80s production techniques.  Much loved in the style magazines of the 80s, they ran out of steam after two albums.

Mr Solitaire

1984, UK. Island Records (SIS 193)
1. Mr Solitaire (Panther Remix)
2. Lazy Afternoon

This features a stark image of a panther jumping across a red star, with band portraits on the flip side.

Love Is Just The Great Pretender

1985, UK. Island Records (ISP 200)
1. Love Is Just The Great Pretender  '85 "Undressing"
2. Basic Ingredients

Moody, staged shot of singer Andi Polaris outside a nightclub on the a-side, with other band members in the dressing room on the flip.

AND WHY NOT?

This reggae-based pop trio came from Birmingham, Engalnd, and split after one album.  Their name came from the catchphrase used by British film critic Barry Norman.

Restless Days (She Cries Out Loud)

1989, UK.  Island Records (ISP 426)
1. Restless Days (She Cries Out Loud)
2. Hey Na Na (Make It Good)

Here we see pictures of the three band members placed on an odd-looking steel frame, with the band logo on the reverse side.

AMAZULU

English reggae-pop band from London, with a predominantly female line-up.  They enjoyed a degree of success in their native country with a series of catchy singles, but too many line-up changes stalled their momentum.

Excitable

1985, UK.  Island Records (ISP 201)
1. Excitable
2. A Little Love

It's singer Annie Ruddock, dancing in a sea of dots.

Things The Lonely Do

1986, UK.  Island Records (ISP 267)
1. Things The Lonely Do
2. Sez Who

Annie Ruddock again, in a landscape full of symbolic imagery, I guess. (Can't trace an image of the b-side, sorry.)

Too Good To Be Forgotten

1986, UK. Island Records (ISP 284)
1. Too Good To Be Forgotten
2. Sez Who

 And Annie Ruddock again, now hanging out on a beach, all alone.  One can only wonder if Island's excessive promotion of the singer as the band's focal point led to other band members leaving so soon....