Description
The self-titled seven track cassette-only EP by the British synth-pop project Zero Option (the one-man-band of keyboardist/vocalist Ralph Ward) was released in the UK on Ears & Eyes Productions in 1985 (EEMC 037). All songs written by Ralph Ward, except “Chase the Clouds Away” written by Dave Bainbridge with lyrics by Ward.
Featuring Ralph Ward on vocals, keyboards, and drum programming with Jon McLoughlin providing electric guitar and Brian Viner providing backing vocals
I believe that Zero Option is just the name of the tape and band here, but the tape makes it sound like Ralph Ward is performing under his own name. Some sources refer to this as a Zero Option tape by the name of 7trax (which is on the cover). However, 7trax is the name of a series of tapes from Ears & Eyes Productions that included several different artists. From what I can find online, Ward called his act Zero Option before this tape was released. Anyways, this album is very 80s – keyboards and synthesized drums with some guitars buried in the mix. Some say it is an early techno or hi-tek album. Dave Bainbridge of Iona fame wrote the music to «Chase the Clouds Away» – that’s a pretty cool connection. The follow-up to this album came in 1988 with Absolute Zero. [Christian Tape Underground, February 13, 2022]
Cassette tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Happy to Be Here”
A2. “The Lost and Lonely Child”
A3. “Catch the Night”
A4. “Chase the Clouds Away”
Side Two
B1. “Take the Risk”
B2. “The Battle’s Won”
B3. “No Time for Compromise”
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