Strictly Inc. Explained

Strictly Inc.
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Strictly Inc.
Cover:	strictlyinc.jpg
Released:	11 September 1995^[1]
Recorded:	1994–1995
Studio:	The Farm (Chiddingfold, Surrey)
Genre:	Synth-pop, progressive rock
Length:	62:59
Label:	Virgin (UK)
Producer:	Tony Banks, Nick Davis
Prev Title:	Still
Prev Year:	1991
Next Title:	Seven: A Suite For Orchestra
Next Year:	2004
Chronology:	Tony Banks

Strictly Inc. is the self-titled project album, released by Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks and Wang Chung lead vocalist Jack Hues, in 1995 on Virgin Records. Banks wanted the album release—as the title suggested—with no reference to the band members, but the record company went against his wishes. This was Banks' fifth studio album, his second issued under a band name, his seventh album overall and his most recent pop album to date.

It was released on 11 September 1995 in the UK. The album has never been released in the United States, although it is available for streaming. The album is called Strictly Inc. instead of Strictly Incognito because there was already a band in the UK named Incognito.

Three outtakes from the recording sessions exist: two untitled instrumentals and the song "Back to You", which was released as a B-side and which was co-written by Nik Kershaw.

Critical reception

AllMusic praised "Tony Banks' distinctive, multi-layered keyboard playing", but contended that the album is a glaring failure due to a lack of memorable songs and the ineffectiveness of the combination of Jack Hues's vocals and Banks's music.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Tony Banks, except where indicated.

1. "Don't Turn Your Back on Me" – 3:59
2. "Walls of Sound" – 5:07
3. "Only Seventeen" – 4:57
4. "The Serpent Said" – 5:28
5. "Never Let Me Know" – 6:20
6. "Charity Balls" – 4:38
7. "Something to Live For" – 5:17
8. "A Piece of You" (Lyrics: Jack Hues) – 4:47
9. "Strictly Incognito" (Lyrics: Jack Hues) – 5:05
10. "An Island in the Darkness" – 17:21

Personnel

• Tony Banks – keyboards, bass (on 2-4)
• Jack Hues – vocals, guitars (on 1, 3-9)
• Daryl Stuermer – guitars (on 2, 10)
• Nathan East – bass (on 1, 5-7)
• John Robinson – drums
• John Challis - cover illustration

Singles

• Only Seventeen (CD single) (August 28, 1995)^[2]

1. "Only Seventeen"
2. "Only Seventeen" (A Saabson/Svenson Remix)
3. "The Serpent Said"
4. "Only Seventeen" (House Mix by Andy Falconer)

• Walls of Sound (CD single) (January 8, 1996)^[3]

1. "Walls of Sound" (Remix) (Additional production and remix by Chris Hughes and Jack Hues)
2. "Back to You" – 4:51 (Words and music by Tony Banks and Nik Kershaw; vocals: Jack Hues)
3. "Only Seventeen" (Instrumental) – 4:57

Notes and References

1. https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-09-09.pdf (Page 50)
2. https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-08-26.pdf (Page 43)
3. https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-01-06.pdf (Page 21)