Review Summary: An ecstasy-fulled EP that turned up the BMP count and became one of the first 'house' albums of its time, influencing the techno/dance genre.
[EP Review]
Singer Marc Almond admitted years after the 1982 EP was released that the album was conceived under the influence of ecstasy, and that detail is key to understanding 'Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing'. MDMA rubbed off heavily on the sound of the album (if the title hasn’t already given it away) - a new night club drug that was becoming a popular accompaniment to fast electronic dance music, and that’s what the album is all about.
It may not sound particularly important but you must consider that the record was released in 1982, so its fast bass beats and energetic electronic melodies led to it becoming one of the first recognised 'house' albums in the UK, as well as one the first records to use turntable scratches.
The last 2 tracks ('Chips on my Shoulder' and 'Sex Dwarf') are lightning fast remixes of the original tracks that appeared on the duo’s debut 'Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret', each almost rivalling the brilliant originals in quality, with the former adding a suitably sleazy saxophone melody that wouldn’t sound out of place on a low budget porn flick . A cover of Judy Street’s 'What' and The Supremes’ 'Where Did Our Love Go?' hark back to the earlier sleazy synth pop tunes found on 'Erotic Cabaret', with the latter reminiscent of Soft Cell’s biggest hit 'Tainted Love' (also a 'Supremes' cover). The bands first single 'Memorabilia' and 'A Man Could Get Lost' also get a drugged up remix.
Overall, the album is best seen for its important context as a highly influential techno/dance/house album, as, for an album from 1982 the tempos and BPM count are impressively quick, especially since aforementioned genres were still in their collective baby steps. Recommended to fans of Soft Cell who haven’t already checked it out (the remixes are worthwhile - most remixes seem pointless, but these don’t) or anyone interested in early house music.
