Colourbox
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Martyn Young, Steve Young, Ian Robbins, Debbion Currie |
| Defunct | 1987 |
| Headquarters | England |
| Products | Music recordings |
| Parent | 4AD |
Colourbox was an English electronic music ensemble associated with the 4AD label, active between 1982 and 1987. The group was established by siblings Martyn and Steve Young, along with Ian Robbins and vocalist Debbion Currie. In 1983, the lineup changed as Currie and Robbins departed, with singer Lorita Grahame stepping in as their replacement.
Unlike other 4AD artists such as Dead Can Dance and Cocteau Twins, Colourbox crafted a unique sound that fused elements of reggae, soul, hip-hop beats, blue-eyed soul, dub, and industrial music. Additionally, the Young brothers contributed to the early works of This Mortal Coil.
Career
The band first appeared with their single "Breakdown" / "Tarantula" in 1982, followed by a 1983 remix handled by producer Mick Glossop. It was around this time that Grahame took over vocal duties from Currie. Their November 1983 release, a four-track mini-album titled Colourbox, showcased their experimental approach. Their sole full-length album, also named Colourbox (1985), expanded on their diverse style by incorporating sample-rich instrumentals, pop-oriented songs, and covers of artists including U-Roy and the Supremes.
In 1986, Colourbox issued two singles concurrently that highlighted contrasting styles: an instrumental track serving as the World Cup anthem titled "The Official Colourbox World Cup Theme," and a vocal cover of Jacob Miller's "Baby I Love You So" featuring Grahame. That year, 4AD re-released the 1983 mini-album on CD format with additional singles and B-side tracks. The single "Baby I Love You So" was ranked 12th in NME's critics' top singles of 1986.
The group's most notable international achievement occurred in 1987 with "Pump Up the Volume," a collaborative project with A.R. Kane under the alias MARRS. This track was groundbreaking for its extensive use of sampling techniques in mainstream music. Nevertheless, legal disputes regarding sample clearance and the pressures from sudden acclaim led to Colourbox halting their activities following this success.
Post-breakup
After Colourbox disbanded, Martyn Young briefly engaged in producing recordings for various artists including the Christians and fellow label artists the Wolfgang Press. Meanwhile, former vocalist Lorita Grahame lent her voice to a release on One Little Indian Records. Since then, members have generally remained out of the spotlight except for Young’s involvement in managing the release of the compilation Best of Colourbox 82/87 in 2001.
On 21 May 2012, 4AD launched a comprehensive four-CD box set titled Colourbox, encompassing the band's entire output: their full album, remix collections, EPs, BBC sessions, and previously unreleased mixes. This collection commemorated the band's 30th anniversary and was curated by Martyn Young.
In 2014, Colourbox was included in Music of the Band (1982 - 1987), an exhibition organized by Wolfgang Tillmans at his Berlin gallery. To complement this event, 4AD released a curated compilation featuring sixteen tracks selected by Tillmans. This compilation saw a reissue in 2017 as a double LP coinciding with Tillmans’ exhibition at Tate Modern in London.
Martyn Young contributed keyboard performances along with recording, production, and mixing duties on a new album by Modern English (band), which was initially scheduled for release in March 2016. Ian Robbins passed away in 2014, while Steven Young died on 13 July 2016.
Discography
All releases were issued through the 4AD label. Chart rankings refer to the UK Indie Chart.
Albums
- Colourbox (mini-album) (7 November 1983), reached No. 8
- Available on vinyl (MAD315) and CD (MAD315CD, released in 1986)
- Colourbox (album) (12 August 1985), achieved No. 1
- Released as vinyl LP (CAD508), CD (CAD508CD), and cassette (CADC508)
- Colourbox (12 August 1985) – complimentary mini-album included with first 10,000 copies of CAD508
- Vinyl LP format (MAD509)
Singles
- "Breakdown" / "Tarantula" (November 1982) – featuring Debbion Currie
- Issued on 7 inch (AD215) and 12 inch (BAD215)
- "Breakdown" / "Tarantula" (second version) (May 1983)
- Available on 7 inch (AD304) and 12 inch (BAD304)
- "Say You" / "Fast Dump" (March 1984), peaked at No. 7
- Released as 7 inch (AD403) and 12 inch (BAD403)
- "Punch" / "Keep on Pushing" (June 1984), reached No. 15
- Issued on 7 inch (AD406) and 12 inch (BAD406)
- "The Moon Is Blue" / "You Keep Me Hanging On" (15 July 1985), attained No. 3
- Available on both 7 inch (AD507) and 12 inch formats (BAD507)
- "Baby I Love You So" / "Looks Like We're Shy One Horse" / "Shoot Out" (14 April 1986), peaked at No. 4
- Released as a 7 inch single (AD604) and a 12 inch version (BAD604)
- "The Official Colourbox World Cup Theme" / "Philip Glass" (14 April 1986), reached No. 6
- Issued on both 7 inch (AD605) and 12 inch formats (BAD605)
Compilations
- Best of Colourbox 82/87 (15 October 2001)
- CD edition available as GAD2107CD
- Colourbox box set (14 May 2012)
- Four-CD collection CAD3204CD
- Music of the Band (1982 - 1987) compilation (2014)
- Released on CD as TAD3443
Compilation appearances
- Lonely Is an Eyesore (15 June 1987)
- Issued on vinyl (CAD703) and CD formats (9CAD703CD); featured exclusive track "Hot Doggie"