Nik Kershaw • The Riddle Reissue

Almost 39 years ago this November, a wonderful album hit the shelves that included one of my personal favorites of 1985. On November 10, 1984, Nik Kershaw's 'The Riddle' hit the shelves in the UK, and soon thereafter it was on the shelves of the Import shops, and then the record outlets in the US. The album featured three songs that all went into the Top 10 of the UK single charts, proving he was a force to be reckoned with, on the heals of his success with 'Human Racing'. The platinum selling classic album has been remastered and now comes heaped with b-sides and amazing rare live material all mixed by Nik himself!

Following the acclaimed 'Human Racing' reissue, Universal Music Catalogue are now pleased to announce the Re-Presents edition of 'The Riddle'. Featuring three top 10 singles, this expanded edition comes with b-sides and live material, which was mixed by Nik himself. 'The Riddle' heralded Nik's dominance of the UK pop music scene. In 1984, Kershaw spent the most weeks as a solo artist in the chart. You could give credit to the first single off the album, "The Riddle". The song went to #3 on the UK and Irish Pop charts, and the video went into regular rotation on the American TV.

At the beginning of 1984, a Nik Kershaw had released his breakthrough song "Wouldn't It Be Good", which reached #4 in the UK Singles Chart, and was a big success in Europe. He enjoyed three more Top 20 hits from his debut album 'Human Racing'. The music video for "Wouldn't It Be Good" hit American television, and was soon in rotation. The bold imagery along with the strong song made the video a must watch, and a hit with college kids enjoying the Electro-Pop sounds coming out the England. And with his new release, Kershaw once again became the darling of the college audience, as well as those who were loving the New Wave of music coming from the UK. The second single off 'The Riddle' was "Wide Boy", and it went to #9 on the UK Single chart, and #5 on the Irish charts.

In July 1985, Kershaw was among the performers at Live Aid, held at Wembley Stadium. He played four songs on the stage, "The Riddle", "Wouldn't It Be Good","Wide Boy", and the third single off the album, "Don Quixote". I have no problem admitting this was my favorite song off the album. There is something almost combustible in the song, with the the rhythm section driving at a strong cadence, somehow held in check by the vocals. I hope you enjoy this expanded version of the music video for "Don Quixote".

The reissue includes a remastered version of the original album, which is pretty great. But that is not all, for it also includes eleven addition tracks on a second CD, which includes extended version of "The Riddle", "Don Quixote", and "Wide Boy", two B-Sides, and six live versions of songs from the album, recorded at London's Hammersmith Odeon on December 31st, 1984. The tracks all sound great, and I am so pleased I have my copy!

You can purchase the re-release on iTunes, Amazon, and wherever great music is sold. To learn more about Nik Kershaw, visit his official website. There you can find all the latest news, and check out his touring schedule to see if he is playing new you. You can also 'follow' Nik HQ on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

Nik Kershaw • No Frills

I was a huge fan of Nik Kershaw in the 1980s, when his first two albums, 'Human Racing' and 'The Riddle', brought him to international attention on the strength of great singles and music videos. While he didn't make a sizable impact on the US Billboard charts, I first saw his videos on MTV, and quickly became a fan. I was so excited to see him play on Live Aid, playing at Wembley Stadium in London to a huge crowd, as well as the incredible television viewers. He fit in so nicely with my preoccupation with Howard Jones, The Police, and U2. Nik was a big Pop star in the UK, with his dashing good looks wrapped in New Wave fashions, making some great music.

Top: Nik is the 1980s. Bottom: Nik today.

So when Nik released his 2010 album, 'No Frills (Solo Acoustic)', I was excited to hear his new take on some of the songs I still hold close to my heart. The intent behind the album seemed to be recording the tracks as Kershaw would play them in an acoustic set, on his own. And I will begin with the first song I remember by Nik, "Wouldn't It Be Good". The song, off his debut album 'Human Racing', was the first of his songs to make it to the Billboard Hot 100. The original music video was this interesting combination of Film Noir and SciFi, and that amazing technicolor raincoat. Twenty-six years later, Nik re-imagined the song for his acoustic collection, and it is a beautiful thing.

Kershaw had another hit that was making it into the Billboard chart. "The Riddle", the title cut off the album released in late 1984, had an imaginative music video that was more 'Alice In Wonderland' than anything else. Much was made of the song, for the lyrics often seemed more stream-of-consciousness or drug induced than anything else. Nik himself went on to say "'The Riddle' is nonsense, rubbish, bollocks, the confused ramblings of an 80's popstar." So it would be interesting to hear the new version, wouldn't it? I did, and have to say, it is amazing.

Finally, I think "Don Quixote" is one of my all-time favorite songs by Kershaw. The third single off 'The Riddle' had this great guitar driving it, and an interesting vision of the Don Quixote story. It played with rhythms, not sounding like a Pop song at all.

I have to be honest, and admit I love the 'No Frills (Solo Acoustic)' album. It is an amazing addition to my collection, and I play it all the time. To learn more about Nik Kershaw, visit his official website. He can also be found on Facebook and Twitter. You can purchase 'No Frills Solo Acoustic)' on iTunes and Amazon.