Ian Dury – Lord Upminster

Demon Records as part of a wider and ongoing catalogue initiative are pleased to be making 'Lord Upminster' the second solo album from the iconic, much-missed Ian Dury available once more on classic black vinyl, long out of print since 1990 other than within 'The Vinyl Collection' Box Set released in 2014. Released in 1981, the album followed his final album on Stiff 'Laughter' (with The Blockheads) and was Ian's first album with Polydor Records. At a suggestion of Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, Ian Dury flew to the Bahamas to record 'Lord Upminster at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas, newly reunited with his long-time collaborator Chaz Jankel. There they were to work with reggae rhythm duo Sly Dunbar (drums) and Robbie Shakespeare (bass guitar) and keyboardist Tyrone Downie, while backing vocals came from amongst others no less than Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club fame, along with her sister Laura Weymouth. The album covers a diverse range of musical styles reflecting Dury's influences and background in pub rock, early rock and roll and British music hall whilst also taking in funk and post disco rhythms and is notable for featuring a Sly Dunbar composition in 'Girls (Watching)'. There was also not least the single which was deemed controversial enough to be banned from the airwaves 'Spasticus (Autisticus)' which was Ian's protest against the International Year of Disabled Persons, which he considered to be patronising and insensitive. Years later the now critically lauded song was broadcast live worldwide during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Paralympics, performed by Orbital and members of the Graeae Theatre Company.