Three Mantras Explained

Three Mantras
Type:album
Artist:Cabaret Voltaire
Cover:Three Mantras.jpg
Released:May 1980
Recorded:January 1980
Studio:Western Works, Sheffield
Genre:Industrial, post-punk
Length:40:50
Label:Rough Trade
Producer:Cabaret Voltaire
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Prev Year:1980
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Next Year:1980

Three Mantras is the second studio album by English band Cabaret Voltaire. It was released in May 1980 by Rough Trade.

Background and reception

Record Mirror originally publicised Three Mantras as, '..what's been described as "the world's longest single"..', evidently referring to a press release supplied by the group's label, Rough Trade.[1] The album was packaged in an intentionally confusing manner, with the 'Eastern' and 'Western' titles reversed on the cover, the same label on both sides and a sticker on early pressings apologizing for there only being two mantras (despite the title) and explaining that the album was being priced as a single to make up for it. The reversed vocal that runs all the way through 'Eastern Mantra' is the name of another Sheffield electronic band; The Human League.

According to Trouser Press, Three Mantras is "the group's first explicit venture into non-Western musical forms". It further commented, "The record also marks a shift in technique, as musical demands take precedence over production to strange and beautiful effect."[2]

Personnel

Cabaret Voltaire
Additional personnel
Technical

Notes and References

  1. Shearlaw. John. More Cabs (News section). Record Mirror. 26 April 1980.
  2. Web site: trouserpress.com :: Cabaret Voltaire . Grant . Stephen . Sheridan . David . . 23 February 2013.