Yaz – Upstairs at Eric’s

Limited clear vinyl LP pressing of this iconic synthpop album originally released in 1982. Between stints with Depeche Mode and Erasure, keyboardist Vince Clarke teamed with soulful singer Alison Moyet to form Yazoo. The British synth-poppers (known as Yaz in the U.S.) quickly became dancefloor favorites with such songs as “Don’t Go,” which got plenty of airtime on the then-new MTV. It’s the lead-off track to the duo’s 1982 debut UPSTAIRS AT ERIC’S, which also includes the U.K. hit “Only You” and such distinctive recordings as “Bad Connection” and “Winter Kills.” Produced by Eric Radcliffe (whose studio inspired the title), the album rose to the No. 2 spot on the U.K. album chart and was one of the first to successfully combine electronica and R&B, influencing such hitmakers as Deee-Lite and the Pet Shop Boys. Vince Clarke celebrates a birthday today, and in his honor, we’ll spend a little time UPSTAIRS AT ERIC’S.

01. DON’T GO 02. TOO PIECES 03. BAD CONNECTION 04. I BEFORE E EXCEPT AFTER C 05. MIDNIGHT 06. IN MY ROOM 07. ONLY YOU 08. GOODBYE SEVENTIES 09. SITUATION 10. WINTER KILLS 11. BRING YOUR LOVE DOWN (DIDN’T I)