Soul Mining

Soul Mining is the definitive statement from Matt Johnson under The The moniker, marking a significant evolution from the experimental lo-fi of his debut, Burning Blue Soul. Recorded primarily at London's Garden Studios, the album is a technical marvel of early 80s production, utilizing the LinnDrum and various synthesizers to create a 'tribal-industrial' pop sound. The album is famous for its guest contributions, most notably Jools Holland’s extended piano solo on 'Uncertain Smile' and David Johansen’s harmonica on 'Perfect'. Johnson's perfectionism led to multiple versions of the record; he famously fought with Epic Records over the inclusion of 'Perfect', which he felt disrupted the thematic flow of the album ending with the epic 'Giant'. Critically, the album is regarded as one of the most important releases of the post-punk era, praised for its lyrical depth and innovative use of world music rhythms within a pop framework. It remains a cornerstone of alternative music, influencing decades of introspective electronic and rock artists.