Flaunt the Imperfection

Flaunt the Imperfection is the third studio album by English new wave group China Crisis, released in 1985.

Flaunt the Imperfection
Studio album by China Crisis
Released	11 April 1985
Recorded	Parkgate Studio, Battle, East Sussex
Genre	New wave, synth-pop
Length	43:04
Label	Virgin
Producer	Walter Becker
China Crisis chronology
Working with Fire and Steel – Possible Pop Songs Volume Two (1983) Flaunt the Imperfection (1985) What Price Paradise (1986)
Singles from Flaunt the Imperfection
"Black Man Ray" Released: March 1985 "King in a Catholic Style" Released: May 1985 "You Did Cut Me" Released: September 1985 "The Highest High" Released: November 1985

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

The album was produced by Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker, who is credited as an official member of China Crisis on the record sleeve. Becker apparently requested to meet with the band after hearing their song "Papua" from their 1983 album Working with Fire and Steel. He was subsequently signed on as producer to begin work on the album with the assistance of Phill Brown, sound engineer with the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix.[2]

The album is the most successful by the band, peaking at No. 9 on the UK Albums Chart and staying for 22 weeks. The singles "Black Man Ray" and "King in a Catholic Style" both reached the Top 20 in the UK Singles Chart.[2]

Critical reception

In his review, Stewart Mason of AllMusic notes that "the group's songwriting is much improved, [with] the failed instrumental experiments and tiresome dance workouts that occasionally marred their earlier albums replaced with a newfound melodic sophistication and lyrical acuity."[3]

Track listing

All tracks written by Daly/Johnson/Lundon.[4]

1. "The Highest High" – 4:16
2. "Strength of Character" – 2:50
3. "You Did Cut Me" – 4:18
4. "Black Man Ray" – 3:39
5. "Wall of God" – 5:32
6. "Gift of Freedom" – 4:38
7. "King in a Catholic Style" – 4:32
8. "Bigger the Punch I'm Feeling" – 4:21
9. "The World Spins, I'm Part of It" – 4:12
10. "Blue Sea" – 4:46

Personnel

• Garry Daly – vocals, synthesizer [4]
• Eddie Lundon – guitar, vocals
• Walter Becker – synthesizer, percussion
• Gary "Gazza" Johnson – bass, programming
• Kevin Wilkinson – drums, percussion

Additional personnel

• Tim Renwick - all guitar solos
• Steve Gregory - saxophone
• Nick Magnus - grand piano, synthesizer, programming
• Tim Sanders - tenor and soprano saxophone
• Simon Clarke - alto and baritone saxophone, flute
• Roddy Lorimer - trumpet, flugelhorn
• Pete Thoms - trombone
• Colin Campsie - backing vocals
• Ginny Clee - backing vocals

References

1. Stewart Mason. "Flaunt the Imperfection - China Crisis | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
2. "China Crisis's Flaunt The Imperfection: 30 Years Old Today". Movingtheriver.com. 2015-05-11. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
3. "Flaunt the Imperfection - China Crisis: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
4. "China Crisis - Flaunt The Imperfection". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2018-01-28.