Lexicon of Love [UK]

ABC includes: Martin Fry (vocals); Mark White (guitar, keyboards); Stephen Singleton (alto & tenor saxophones); David Palmer (drums, percussion).
Additional personnel includes: Gaynor Sadler (harp); Kim Wear (trumpet); Andy Gray (trombone); Anne Dudley (keyboards); Brad Lang, Mark Lickley (bass); Louis Jardin (percussion); J.J. Jeczalik (programming); Tessa Webb (background vocals).
Producer: Trevor Horn.
Compilation producers: Paul Reidy, Martin Fry.
Recorded in 1982. Includes liner notes by Martin Fry and Giles Smith.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Lyricist: Martin Fry.
Personnel: Tessa Webb (vocals, background vocals); Martin Fry (vocals); Mark White (guitar, keyboards); Gaynor Sadler (harp); Steve Singleton (saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Kim Wear (trumpet); Andy Gray (trombone); Anne Dudley (keyboards); Johnathon J. Jeczalik (synthesizer); Brad Lang (bass guitar); Dee Palmer (drums, percussion); Luis Jardim (percussion).
Liner Note Author: Justin Lewis.
Photographer: Gered Mankowitz.
Unknown Contributor Role: Johnathon J. Jeczalik.
Arranger: Anne Dudley.
Easily one of the '80s' finest albums, THE LEXICON OF LOVE not only established singer Martin Fry and guitarist Mark White as two of the decade's smartest and most skillful cross-breeders of Motownish dance grooves, Beatlesque pop and Roxy Music-style art-rock urgency, it cemented ex-Buggle Trevor Horn's status as the era's defining producer.
Throughout THE LEXICON OF LOVE, Horn's over-the-top blend of strings, horns, lush choirs and bizarre production tricks battles Fry's literate, witty lyrics and commanding voice and White's encyclopedic knowledge of pop hooks for the listener's attention. While the singles "Poison Arrow" and "The Look of Love"--aided by stylish, funny videos--garnered the most interest, there's not a single less-than-brilliant track, from the compelling opener "Show Me" to the near-desperate closer "4 Ever 2 Gether" and the lovely orchestral coda "The Look of Love (Part Four)." THE LEXICON OF LOVE is a classic.