Modern Times is the first album by the British band Latin Quarter. It reached the top 20 in Germany and Sweden and spent two weeks on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at Number 91. It includes the songs "Radio Africa" which reached Number 19 in the UK Singles Chart. and "America for Beginners" which was covered by Toyah on her album Minx.
Political themes Latin Quarter's lyricist Mike Jones describes the album as "a veritable manifesto" of their left wing views as members of Big Flame. The title track takes its name from the Charlie Chaplin film as it critiques the effect of McCarthyism on Hollywood; "Radio Africa" describes the effect of Imperialism on that continent; "Toulouse" is about racism in France; "No Rope As Long As Time" is a plaintive account of Apartheid South Africa and "America for Beginners" describes the rise of the right wing in the United States. Toyah Willcox covered "America for Beginners" on her 1985 album Minx.
Track listing
Charts Chart (1986)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)97UK (Official Charts Company)91
Personnel Carol Douet – vocals, percussion Yona Dunsford – vocals, piano Greg Harewood – bass Steve Jeffries – keyboards, vocals Steve Skaith – vocals, guitar Richard Stevens – drums, percussion Richard Wright – guitar, vocals Mike Jones – lyrics
Additional personnel Steve Gregory – saxophone Martin Ditcham – percussion Steve Greetham – bass on "Radio Africa" Pete Hammond – mixing, production (except for "Radio Africa") Latin Quarter – production (except for "Radio Africa") Nigel Gray – mixing, production on "Radio Africa" James Swinson – artwork
References