Penthouse and Pavement is the title of the debut album by Heaven 17 released on Virgin records in 1981. The album was produced by B.E.F. and all songs written by B.E.F./Gregory. It entered the UK album charts at no.20 on its release and reached its peak position of no.14 a week later. It also enjoyed surprising longevity with a total of 77 weeks in the Top 100 over a period of two years after its release.
Four singles were taken form the album, none of which managed to enter the UK Top 40. (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang and Play To Win both preceded the album whilst an edit of the title track and a remix of At the Height of the Fighting were released afterwards. The album did not feature their other 1981 single I'm Your Money.
Personell[]
The group at the time was made up of three permanent members Martyn Ware, Ian Craig Marsh (both formerly of The Human League) and vocalist Glenn Gregory, plus guest musicians most notably John Wilson on bass, guitar and guitar synthesiser on the Penthouse side.
Notable guest artists include John Wilson on bass guitar (Penthouse Side) and Josie James, vocals on Penthouse and Pavement.
Track-listing[]
- original LP/MC release, V 2208 - Virgin 1981
Penthouse Side
- (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang
- Penthouse and Pavement
- Play To Win
- Soul Warfare
Pavement Side
- Geisha Boys and Temple Girls
- Let's All Make a Bomb
- At the Height of the Fighting
- Song With No Name
- We're Going to Live for a Very Long Time
Re-issues[]
- first CD issue rel. 1983, Virgin CDV 2208. Tracks 1-9 as above.
- CD re-issue, 2006, Virgin CDVR 2208 as above plus bonus tracks:
- Groove Thang (B.E.F.)
- Are Everything (12" version)
- I'm Your Money (12" version)
- Decline of the West (B.E.F.)
- Honeymoon in New York (B.E.F.)
- new CD and digital remaster, 2010 with bonus tracks, demos, etc., plus The Making Of Penthouse And Pavement Documentary DVD. Details here
Singles[]
the following tracks from Penthouse and Pavement were released as singles in the UK
- (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang
rel. 06 March 1981, UK chart peak 45
7" Virgin VS 400
A. (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang (4:06)
B. The Decline Of The West (7:00)
12" Virgin VS 400-12
A. (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang (4:53)
B. The Decline Of The West (7:00)
NB on both issues The Decline Of The West is attributed to British electric Foundation on the labels.
- Play To Win
rel. August 1981, UK chart peak 46
7" Virgin VS 433
A. Play To Win (3:24) B. Play (3:36)
12" Virgin VS 433-12
A. Play To Win (7:29)
B. Play (8:30)
Writing credits "BEF/Gregory" suggest that Marsh & Ware were effectively the British Electric Foundation.
- Penthouse and Pavement
rel. November 1981, UK chart peak 57
7" Virgin VS 455
A. Penthouse and Pavement (4:02)
B. Penthouse and Pavement (Instrumental) (4:35)
12" Virgin VS 455-12
A. Penthouse and Pavement (6:57)
B. Penthouse and Pavement (Instrumental) (6:59)
- Height Of The Fighting (He-La-Hu)
A remixed version of album track "At the Height of the Fighting"
rel. February 1982, UK chart peak
7" Virgin VS 483
A. Height Of The Fighting (He-La-Hu)
B. Honeymoon In New York
12" Virgin 483-12
A. Height Of The Fighting (He-La-Hu) (2:55)
B1. He-La-Hu (2:55)
B2. Honeymoon In New York (2:12)