Latin Quarter - Modern Times (1985)

“Modern Times” is the first album by the British band Latin Quarter. The band enjoyed some chart success with the excellent "Radio Africa' which reached #19 in the UK charts in 1986.
Latin Quarter were a very influential band of the 1980's. Known for their unique brand of social conscience lyrics and a unique blend of folk, reggae and rock styles created 'their own' sound.
Well-meaning, if slickly produced agit-pop that hasn't aged too well, mostly from the over-topicality of the lyrics, circa 1986. This British band's concerns was the rise of the yuppie ("The New Millionaires"), the yawning divide between rich and poor ("Sea-Port September"), American imperialism ("America for Beginners"), and the African situation ("the U.K. hit "Radio Africa""). Granted, nothing much has changed in the world since then, but what is one to make of lyrics like "You've had their OAS/You've had their CGT/And no-one will be living here/When they bring in the CNC" ("Toulouse"), unless you lived through it. Lead singer Steve Skaith delivers his vocals in a hushed whisper, like he's nervous or tremendously upset, while backup singers Carol Doust and Yona Dunsford bring the soul. The sound is a lighter version of that found on Peter Gabriel's third album  influences and references pop up quickly, especially the Tony Levin-like bass  and "No Ordinary Return" sounds suspiciously like Richard Thompson's "You Don't Say." Didactic in spots, soulful in others, it's a brief snapshot of the Left in Britain, mid-'80s.


01.  Modern Times  - 3:45
02.  No Ordinary Return  - 3:35
03.  Radio Africa  - 3:53
04.  Toulouse  - 4:20
05.  America for Beginners  - 5:16
06.  Eddie  - 3:08
07.  No Rope As Long As Time  - 4:28
08.  Seaport September  - 3:18
09.  New Millionaires  - 3:35
10.  Truth About John  - 4:00
11.  Cora  - 2:58

Credits
Carol Douet - Vocals, percussion
Yona Dunsford - Vocals, piano
Greg Harewood - Bass
Steve Jeffries - Keyboards, vocals
Steve Skaith - Vocals, guitar
Richard Stevens - Drums, percussion
Richard Wright - Guitar, vocals
Steve Gregory - Saxophone
Martin Ditcham - Percussion
Steve Greetham - Bass
Producer, Mixed By – Latin Quarter, Pete Hammond

Notes
Produced and mixed at The Workhouse.
Mike Jones - Lyrics
Album Duration - 55:43
Genre - Synth-pop
"Radio Africa" - produced by Nigel Gray at Surrey Sound Studio.
© 1985 Rockin' Horse Records, RCA