Erasure - Breath of Life

Title: Breath of Life Artist: Erasure Release Date: 1992 Re-Released On: 5/7/1992 Label: Warner Bros. Duration: 38:45 Album Type(s): Single UPCs: 093624034414, 093624034421 Genre: Rock Styles: Dance-Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock, Club/Dance, Alternative Dance, Alternative/Indie Rock Moods: Dramatic, Energetic, Joyous, Rousing, Bittersweet, Bright, Effervescent, Slick, Stylish, Yearning, Amiable/Good-Natured, Cheerful, Confident, Gleeful, Carefree, Elaborate, Exuberant, Fun, Playful, Theatrical, Party/Celebratory Total Copies: 2 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Breath of Life [Single Remix]
2. Breath of Life [Divine Inspiration Mix]
3. Breath of Life [Swiss Mix]
4. Waiting for Sex [Full Version]
5. Breath of Life [Umbilical Mix]
6. Breath of Life [Elixir Mix]
7. Breath of Life [Stripped Mix]
8. Carry on Clangers

Year Type Label Catalog # 1992 CD Warner Bros. 40344

Breath of Life [Mute]

Combining two of the B-sides from the U.K. Am I Right? single with a slew of remixes of the title track, Breath of Life makes for one of the more uneven Erasure releases, with strong points mixed with others that are more pedestrian in impact. The original single itself is a polite declaration of love and passion over a gently soaring dance arrangement -- not as full out as other Erasure highlights, but pleasant enough. Phil Kelsey's "Divine Inspiration" remix, which immediately follows the single version, injects the track with the sheer energy it needs to make it a truly anthemic song, extra rhythm and synth loops taking it fully and deservedly over the top. His "Stripped" mix adds more than a hint of Moroder-style classic disco/synth beats and bass; it's fun, if not as immediate. Another great remix comes courtesy of techno pioneer Joey Beltram, not far off from his "Energy Flash" days; his Umbilical mix carries hints of the sheer explosiveness of that song without completely surrendering to it. Elsewhere, Dave Bascombe's "Swiss" mix lays down some good beats and does some intriguing tricks with the backing vocal overdubs, enjoyable if not incredible. As for the original B-sides, "Waiting for Sex" has a wonderful Bell vocal, especially on slowly-sung second verses here and there, over the quick, typically Erasure melody and arrangement. Meanwhile, the fun instrumental "Carry on Clangers" amusingly references two English cultural institutions, the Carry On film series and legendary kids TV show, The Clangers. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide

Name Credits Bob Kraushaar Mixing Daniel Miller Remixing Dave Bascombe Engineer, Remixing, Mixing Erasure Producer, Remixing Joey Beltram Remixing Martin Phillipps Producer Phil Kelsey Remixing, Engineer Philip Kelsey Remixing, Engineer Philipp Erb Editing Robin Hancock Remixing