Operation Twilight was a British record label, the UK branch of Belgian label Les Disques du Crépuscule. It was run by Patrick Moore, who now writes as Philip Hoare.
Moore was working for Rough Trade Records at the time, and described the genesis of Operation Twilight thus: "Geoff Travis [Rough Trade] and Michel Duval [Crépuscule] cooked up a plan in January 1982 where I would start up the UK equivalent of Les Disques du Crépuscule. Michel had a sort of James Bond idea about it — it would be the James Bond version of Crépuscule — Operation Twilight."
Operation Twilight closed in 1983, though most of the artists - including Paul Haig, Antena, Tuxedomoon, Thick Pigeon - would continue to release records on Les Disques du Crépuscule. The label is also noteworthy for launching the career of the Pale Fountains.
Discography This discography includes unreleased items that nevertheless were given a catalogue number.
No. Artist Title Format Date NotesOPT 001TuxedomoonDivineLP1982-05-14OPT 002AntenaThe Boy from Ipanema / Spiral Staircase7"1982-06Also 7" (TWI 073) and 12" (TWI 074) on Crépuscule, RAD 16 on Crépuscule Section FrançaiseOPT 003Paul HaigRunning Away / Time7"1982-05-21UK Independent Chart #19.Lazell, Barry (1998) Indie Hits 1980-1989, Cherry Red Books, , p. 107 Also 7" (TWI 088) and 12" (TWI 089) on Crépuscule in Belgium, TWA-82501 on Crépuscule AmericaOPT 004Virginia AstleyLPInitial contracts were drawn up but never signed. Even so, the release frequently appeared on release schedules.OPT 005The French Impressionists7"A later 12" was released on Crépuscule in Belgium.OPT 006Howard DevotoHeart Beats Up LovebookUnreleased collection of Magazine lyricsOPT 007The Twilight Setbadges1983Paul Haig, Antena, The Lost Jockey, Tuxedomoon, The Pale Fountains, MatisseOPT 008Paul HaigJustice7", 12"Reached test pressing stage; cancelled due to deal with IslandOPT 009The Pale Fountains(There's Always) Something On My Mind / Just A Girl7"1982-07Also Crépuscule 12" TWI 118 (with different sleeve and extra track)OPT 010Antena12"OPT 011The Lost JockeyProfessor Slack / Rise & Fall / Animal Behaviour / Crude Din 10"Re-released 1983 by Battersea Records as 12"OPT 012R.O.L.Blue For You12"Paul Haig recording released as flexidisc with Masterbag #13 (8–21 July 1982); released on Crépuscule/Interference as TWI 106/INT-01OPT 013Robotstoy robots with projectile headsPromotional packOPT 014Paul HaigLPAllocated catalogue number, but by this time Haig was recording Rhythm of Life for Island.OPT 015The Pale FountainsThank You7", 12"Later released by VirginOPT 016MikadoRomance / Ce Garcon-La7"1983-01Originally released 1982-10 as Crépuscule TWI 104OPT 017Twilight StarbadgeLogo badgeOPT 018Ralf DörperErazerhead (Assault / Erazerhead / Lorelei / Im Himmel)12"1983-02OPT 019PropagandaDiziplin12"cover of "Discipline" by Throbbing Gristle, Rough Trade opposed its releaseOPT 020Thick Pigeon / The French ImpressionistsSanta Baby / Jingle Bell Rock7"1982-12split Christmas singleOPT 021Andy WarholInterviewcassetteunreleased due to copyright issuesOPT 022Various artistsAntelopes and AlligatorsOPT 02323 SkidooThe Culling Is ComingLP1983-02Also Crépuscule TWI 123OPT 024April ShowersWhile the City Sleeps7"Recorded, artwork designed, never pressed
References
External links Operation Twilight (Frank Brinkhuis) The Last Summer Of Love (history of the label by Moore)