The Re-Issue: Thompson Twins's "Into The Gap" 40th Anniversary Edition

 

Talking about "Into The Gap" one of the era-defining album of the 80s by Thompson Twins, is getting its 40th anniversary reissue now, and is the most comprehensive reissue of this album ever, remastered at Abbey Road Studios and compiled with the full blessing of all three band members from the classic line-up.

The album stands as one of the band's most successful albums, emblematic of the synth-pop era's peak. The album features hit singles like ‘Hold Me Now,’ ‘Doctor! Doctor!,’ and ‘You Take Me Up,’ which highlighted the band's knack for creating catchy, synth-driven pop tunes. At the time, Thompson Twins were a leading force in the new wave movement, and the album peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart and selling over 1 million copies in the US. The album's success was bolstered by the rise of MTV, where the band's visually striking music videos played a crucial role in their global appeal. "Into the Gap" encapsulated the spirit of 1980s pop culture, combining innovative sound with a strong visual identity, making it a defining record of the decade.

Both physical formats feature digitally restored artwork and new liner notes, written by John Earls and features contributions from all three band members. The LP format, on desirable red vinyl, lovingly recreates the original release, complete with fold-out insert; the triple CD format includes 30 bonus tracks, 12 of which are previously unreleased and a 24-page booklet.

"Into The Gap" was the Thompson Twins’ fourth album and their second as a three-piece of Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie and Joe Leeway. Like its predecessor, Quick Step & Side Kick, it was co-produced by the much missed Alex Sadkin.

There are three formats of the 40th anniversary of Into The Gap on offer: a 3CD deluxe with 30 bonus tracks, a red vinyl remaster (album-only) and the SDE-exclusive blu-ray. I’m pleased to say that the blu-ray includes all 30 bonus tracks in stereo (cassette mixes, single edits, B-sides, 12″ mixes) as well as offering the 1984 album in the following streams:

• David Kosten 2024 Dolby Atmos Mix (48/24)
• David Kosten 2024 5.1 Mix (96/24)
• David Kosten 2024 Stereo Mix (96/24)
• David Kosten 2024 Dolby Atmos Instrumental Mix (96/24)
• David Kosten 2024 5.1 Instrumental Mix (96/24)
• 2024 Stereo Remaster (by Frank Arkwright) (96/24)
• 1984 Original Stereo Mix (48/24)
  

Into The Gap 3CD Deluxe Track List: 

Disc 1 

1. Doctor! Doctor! (2024 Remaster)
2. You Take Me Up (2024 Remaster)
3. Hold Me Now (2024 Remaster)
4. Day After Day (2024 Remaster)
5. No Peace For The Wicked (2024 Remaster)
6. The Gap (2024 Remaster)
7. Sister of Mercy (2024 Remaster)
8. Storm On The Sea (2024 Remaster)
9. Who Can Stop The Rain (2024 Remaster)
10. Let Loving Start**
11. Nurse Shark (Instrumental)
12. Out Of The Gap**
13. Passion Planet
14. You Take Me Up (Instrumental Remix)
15. Doctor! Doctor! (Phil Thornalley Mix)

Disc 2

1. Leopard Ray
2. Doctor! Doctor! (Cassette Mix Version)
3. Panic Station (Day After Day)
4. Down Tools
5. Hold Me Now (Cassette Mix Version)
6. Funeral Dance (No Peace For The Wicked)
7. Compass Points (The Gap)
8. Still Water (Storm On The Sea) (Edit)
9. Hold Me Now (Pete Hammond Mix)**
10. Sister Of Mercy (Pete Hammond Mix)**
11. Doctor! Doctor! (Single Edit)**
12. Doctor! Doctor! (Edit)**
13. Sister Of Mercy (Single Mix)**
14. You Take Me Up (Single Edit)**
15. The Gap (Single Mix AKA AOR Mix)**

Disc 3 

1. Hold Me Now (Phil Thornalley Extended)**
2. Hold Me Now (Pete Hammond Extended Mix)**
3. Let Loving Start (12" Version)
4. Out Of The Gap (Megamix Extended Version)
5. Sister Of Mercy (12" Version)
6. Sister Of Mercy (Pete Hammond Extended Mix)**
7. The Gap (Club Remix Version)**
8. You Take Me Up (Machines Take Me Over) (12" Version)
9. You Take Me Up (High Plains Mixer) (US 12" Remix)
 

** Denotes previously unreleased and new to CD