The Rolling Stones - Undercover (Remastered) (2020) [Hi-Res]

Half Speed ReMasters HiRes Re-Issue: Undercover is the 17th British (and 19th American) studio album by The Rolling Stones, originally released in 1983. After previous album 'Tattoo You' which was largely a selection of outtakes, Undercover was their first release of all new recordings in the 1980s. Tensions in the studio were high, with the band's principal songwriters wanted to take the band in a different direction. Vocalist Mick Jagger wanted to embrace modern trends in music, such as reggae, world-beat, and new wave, while guitarist Keith Richards wanted the band to return to their blues rock roots. As a result, the album is an eclectic collection of songs, covering a wide range of styles. Besides other principal band members Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts, the album featured many guest musicians. It would be the last album released during Ian Stewart's lifetime, a former member of the band and frequent contributor on piano.

"As the Rolling Stones' most ambitious album since Some Girls, Undercover is a weird, wild mix of hard rock, new wave pop, reggae, dub, and soul. Even with all the careening musical eclecticism, what distinguishes Undercover is its bleak, nihilistic attitude -- it's teeming with sickness, with violence, kinky sex, and loathing dripping from almost every song. "Undercover of the Night" slams with echoing guitars and rubbery basslines, as Jagger gives a feverish litany of sex, corruption, and suicide. It set the tone for the rest of the album, whether it's the runaway nymphomaniac of "She Was Hot" or the ridiculous slasher imagery of "Too Much Blood." Only Keith's "Wanna Hold You" offers a reprieve from the carnage, and its relentless bloodletting makes the album a singularly fascinating listen. For some observers, that mixture was nearly too difficult to stomach, but for others, it's a fascinating record, particularly since much of its nastiness feels as if the Stones, and Jagger and Richards in particular, are running out of patience with each other." (Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG)

Mick Jagger, lead and backing vocals, electric guitar, harmonica
Keith Richards, electric guitar, backing vocals; lead vocals on "Wanna Hold You"; bass on "Pretty Beat Up"
Ronnie Wood, electric and slide guitar, backing vocals; bass on "Tie You Up" and "Wanna Hold You"
Bill Wyman, bass, percussion; piano on "Pretty Beat Up"
Charlie Watts, drums
Additional musicians:
Chuck Leavell, keyboards, organ, piano
Ian Stewart, piano on "She Was Hot" and "Pretty Beat Up", percussion
David Sanborn, saxophone
CHOPS, horns
Sly Dunbar, percussion
Robbie Shakespeare, bass
Moustapha Cisse, percussion
Brahms Coundoul, percussion
Martin Ditcham, percussion
Jim Barber, electric guitar on "Too Much Blood"

Recorded November 1982 – August 1983 at Pathé Marconi Studios, Paris, France
Produced by The Glimmer Twins, Chris Kimsey

Digitally remastered