The Great Leap Forward – in session for John Peel – January 26, 1988 – BBC Radio 1 –
The Great Leap Forward in session for John Peel tonight. Otherwise known as the brainchild of Alan Brown who is, ostensibly The Great Leap Forward – solo, but with a band on live performances. The Great Leap Forward evolved when his previous band Big Flame called it quits in 1987. Great Leap Forward was essentially a solo project, although various musicians were added for live performances. The sound was more melodic and danceable than his earlier band, but still with overtly political lyrics. After three 12″ EPs on Ron Johnson Records, that label’s collapse led to a move to Communications Unique for debut album Don’t Be Afraid Of Change, receiving critical acclaim. A 12″ single Heart and Soul was followed by the LP compilation Season 87-88 which largely comprised tracks from the three Ron Johnson singles, and the CD compilation Great Leap Forward before Brown took a long sojourn from music in 1991.
Returning to recording in 2008, Brown released an 11 track CD “Finished Unfinished Business” comprising a mix of unfinished and new material, to be followed by a 13 track CD in 2012 “This Is Our Decade Of Living Cheaply And Getting By”. A number of live performances took place either as solo acoustic sets or accompanied by Simon Williams of Sarandon on bass. During this period Brown also recorded and played bass in Sarandon, and played guitar in the reformed A Witness line in 2014, for whom he had drummed way back in 1987/88.
Released in July of this year, Brown as The Great Leap Forward issued a further 13 track album “Revolt Against An Age Of Plenty” on A Turntable Friend Records. There are plans to play live at some point soon.
In case you missed it the first time around or want to refresh your memory – here is the second Peel session Brown did in 1987.
Get ready for the weekend.
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