Toyah’s 1983 studio album ‘Love Is The Law’ was the final album for the Safari label.
This new remastered and expanded deluxe edition follows the acclaimed series of remastered deluxe editions of four studio albums and four live albums that chronicle the band’s recording history from 1979-1983.
Reaching no.28 in the UK album charts in November 1983, the album was written and recorded by Toyah, Joel Bogen and Simon Darlow while Toyah appeared as the lead in the successful theatre production of Trafford Tanzi at the Mermaid Theatre.
Previewed by the single ‘Rebel Run’, the album also includes fan favourites ‘Dreamscape’, ‘Martian Cowboy’ and one of Toyah’s long-term personal favourites, ‘I Explode'. The title track features a group of fans singing on the song’s chorus after being invited into the Marquee Studios, Soho one evening in August 1983. Side Two’s final track ‘The Vow’ was issued as a second single in December 1983.
Alongside Toyah and Joel Bogen (co-writer/guitars), Simon Darlow played keyboards on the album. Phil Spalding contributed bass to several tracks on the album while guests included bassist Brad Lang (The Lexicon of Love) and Andy Duncan (Wham!’s ‘Fantastic’ album) on drums/percussion.
This 2CD+DVD release features the album remastered from the original mastertapes by Nick Watson, overseen by Joel Bogen. The set is expanded to include:
The album’s three associated B-Sides
An extended mix of lead single ‘Rebel Run’, prepared in 1983 but vaulted until 2024.
An Alternate version of ‘Love Is The Law’ which features a variant chorus structure and lyrics.
The standalone 1982 single ‘Ieya’, a re-recorded version featuring Simon Phillips (drums).
The standalone 1982 single ‘Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard)’ and its B-Side ‘Laughing With The Fools’. These are joined by an unfinished out-take from the same session entitled ‘City People’.
The classic 1982 cover of the seasonal Greg Lake classic ‘I Believe In Father Christmas’, originally recorded for inclusion on the ITV special Pop Goes Christmas.
CD2 features 20 previously unreleased tracks including instrumental mixes of all ten album tracks plus alternate mixes of ‘I Explode’, ‘The Vow’, ‘Rebel Run’ and ‘Martian Cowboy’, the latter featuring a stunning unheard outro.
A very rare previously unreleased home demo of the B-Side ‘Haunted’ is included recorded at Toyah’s temporary home studio featuring alternate lyrics.
The DVD features newly filmed 2024 interviews with Toyah Willcox reflecting on making the LP.
Eight archive BBC television appearances include performances of ‘Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard)’, ‘Good Morning Universe’, ‘Rebel Run’ and ‘The Vow’.
An introductory note by Toyah Willcox is included the booklet alongside rare and unseen images plus sleevenotes by Craig Astley who curated the set.
The LP artwork features newly scanned archive negatives from the same photo shoot to both refresh the visuals with an alternate front cover and to achieve a high quality print finish.
