B.E.F. (British Electric Foundation)
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B.E.F. (British Electric Foundation) is a band formed by former Human League members Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh who later became Heaven 17, with lead singer Glenn Gregory.
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[edit] History
Ware and Marsh released their first album as B.E.F. in 1980; entitled Music For Stowaways, it consisted of eight tracks of instrumental electronics, and was initially released only on cassette, inspired by the appearance of the first Sony Walkman (initially marketed in the UK as the Sony Stowaway). There was also a vinyl release, Music For Listening To, mainly targeted for export sales, which was slightly truncated (though with the addition of a track not found on the cassette). In the late 1990s, a CD release with this title contained the complete contents from both versions.
In 1981 B.E.F. produced an album entitled Music of Quality and Distinction Volume One, released on Virgin Records, which involved other artists covering classic songs. The production was mainly in the typical B.E.F./Heaven 17 style (i.e. highly synthesised) with a few exceptions. Tina Turner's version of The Temptations's "Ball of Confusion" drew the attention of Capitol Records and her next album "Let's Stay Together" peaked at number six in the UK charts and made the US Top 20-. B.E.F.' album also featured covers by Billy Mackenzie - "The Secret Life of Arabia" and "It's Over," Paul Jones - "There's a Ghost in My House," Paula Yates - "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'," Gary Glitter - "Suspicious Minds," Bernie Nolan - "You Keep Me Hangin' On," Glenn Gregory (who was soon to join forces with the producers to become Heaven 17) - "Wichita Lineman" and "Perfect Day" and Sandie Shaw - "Anyone Who Had a Heart."
It was not until 1991 that a second volume appeared. This was in part due to Heaven 17's Glenn Gregory forming the dance group Ugly. The second volume yet again featured Billy Mackenzie, this time singing a cover of "Free", whilst their reading of "Family Affair" gave them and singer Lalah Hathaway a Top 40 hit. Scritti Politti's Green Gartside was another guest on the album and his pop-reggae reading of "She's A Woman" was recorded in the same set of sessions.
In a recent interview, Martyn Ware said: "We're also working on a new B.E.F. album that's going to be called "Dark". Basically it's very dark versions of tunes that have to be of a certain type. Basically it's dark reinterpretations, primarily looking at things differently from a lyrical point of view. It's almost like soundscape stuff, in much the same way as "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" on "Reproduction" was kind of like a soundscape."[citation needed]
[edit] First live performance
28 March 2007 has seen B.E.F. make its first-ever live performance, as part of the line-up for the "Tribute to Billy MacKenzie" concert being held at Shepherds Bush Empire, London, in memory of their three-time guest vocalist, and in aid of Sound Seekers. The B.E.F. line-up was Martyn Ware on keyboard, a guitarist/keyboardist and a bassist, with Glenn Gregory and Heaven 17's vocalist Billie Godfrey. For their first concert as B.E.F. they performed:
- the aforementioned "Free"
- Heaven 17's "Let me go" (Glenn revealing that it was Billy's favourite Heaven 17 track)
- a new version of Heaven 17's biggest hit "Temptation" with guest vocalist Claudia Brücken (who was present with two other acts: Onetwo and Claudia Brücken/Andrew Poppy)
- David Bowie's "Drive-in Saturday" (another Billy favourite)
- the Associates classic "Party Fears Two" in a slower/stripped down version.
[edit] Discography
- Music Of Quality and Distinction Volume One (B.E.F./Virgin - 1982) - # 25 UK
- Music Of Quality and Distinction Volume Two (B.E.F./Virgin - 1991)
