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Like 'Trilogy', the 'Fascination of the Physical' album is one of the most underestimated album of Imagination. I've already built some special pages for the first albums including the lyrics and the singles sleeves. I decided to build a special page dedicated to this album because I have a real "fascination" for it. It has many features which are very important to me. First of all, this album has been the most remixed album from the whole discography. It's amazing: more than 30 original/remixes versions of the tracks from this album have been released. This album is also a meeting between Leee John and a great musician named Adam Pendse. The poor discography of the group since 1992 doesn't show enough of what this musician has brought to Leee John's style and music and even to the Imagination sound itself. I hope the forthcoming album will rectify that. People who saw Leee John on stage during the past years already know that. I really think that Imagination's shows are more "live", more "soul" and more "funk" since some musicians like Adam and Laroy are on stage and working with the group. Recently, the track which symbolises best this new direction is, in my opinion, the live mix of 'The Mighty Power of Love'. But already on the 'Fascination of...' album some tracks were a sign of this new trend as 'The Night we loved', 'I can't wait' and even the original mix of 'Call on me'. Here are some of the reasons which make me decide to build this space. Don't hesitate to send me your comments about this album or your comments about... my comments ! - Joseph
The Fascination of The Physical
| Tracks |
"Known" Remixes |
Comments |
Work (5:26) Leee John, Peter Royer, Ashley Ingram, Rod Gammons |
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"A very popular track in clubs" (Leee) |
I Like It (3:58) Leee John, Rod Gammons, Will Mowat

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1. p.m. lick it up mix (5:38) 2. a.m. tongue teaser mix 12'' version (5:39) 3. a.m. tongue teaser mix 7'' edit (3:46) 4. p.m. lick it up mix 7'' edit (3:55) 5. Instrumental version (5:35) Note: the p.m. lick it up mix on the red vinyl is quite different from the one listed above. |
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The Best Of My Live (3:55) Leee John, Adam Pendse, Kenny Nicholas, Trevor Jacobs |
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Ooh Aah (4:28) Leee John, Adam Pendse, Eriques Dial |
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Loving Tight (4:26) Rod Gammons, Junior Giscombe

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1. Extended Mix (5:55) 2. Instrumental (4:26) |
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The Fascination Of The Physical (4:55) Leee John, Adam Pendse, Eriques Dial |
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Great massive bassline from A. Pendse |
The Night We Loved (5:56) Leee John, Toby Baker |
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I Can't Wait (4:32) Leee John, Toby Baker, Kenny Nicholas, Trevor Jacobs |
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Private Hearts (4:45) Leee John, Rod Gammons, Peter Royer, Ashley Ingram |
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Call On Me (4:58) Leee John, Rod Gammons


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The Johnny X Remixes
1. Radio Edit (3:32) 2. Original Higher State Vocal Mix (8:03) 3. Victor Imbres Shelter Remix 4. 99 Allstars Phonodelika Mix (6:15) 5. DnD Raw Remix
6. Lockdown X-Factor Remix (5:58) 7. Spacebase's Down'n'Dub
8. Dillon & Dickins Sax Funk Trip (7:26) 9. Dan Factory Spook Mix (6:05)
The Maurizio Verbeni Remixes
1. p.d.q version (6:05) 2. (jazz voice) dub (6:00) 3.progressive version (5:00) 4. active version (6:00) 5. vocal progressive mix (5:45) 6. universal underground (5:20)
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The most remixed song of Imagination. Order it on the Higher State Record Website |
Alone Again Leee John, Ashley Ingram, Johnny X |
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Available on the Japanese issue of the album |
They also reviewed this album...
Greg Fenton Greg Fenton reviewing Record One for Update No.508 (about the Call on Me single):
This little gem comes from the Dillon & Dickins stable. Lee John of 'Imagination' fame sings as
ever with a passion on a song that will stick in your memory. Personally it's the original version
that does the trick with its pumping rhythm section and uplifting piano, though the D&D Raw
Remix (which was also on the original) with its massive bassline and harder edge comes a close
second. Victor Imbres provides a solid Euro tinged mix while 99 Allstars work in a dark bassline
with their trademark percussion, either of which could tickle your fancy. One for your dancefloor's
delight.
Jose Alex:
Whatching the great reviews Troy-d and David made of almost all imagination albums, I am surprised they did not
with this masterpiece called "Fascination of the Physical". I was waiting a review from these Imagination expertise,
but never came. Well, I did not want to sem fearless reviewing the old albums so I start with I consider one of their
best project or I would say Leee´s project. For me, music is melody and feelings mixed with good taste. Leee´s voice
and talent makes "fascination..." his private heart and for the fans a sample of his soul. I went in 1991 to London
and after visiting all the possible record stores looking for anything, I found a very small vinyl record store where
they gave me a name :"I like It" and a recording studio "Berwick" on Berwick street. I went there and they gave
me a promo single a picture and a hope, the forthcoming album would be a success. To be continued...
Troy-D (USA):
With the 1989 release of a greatest hits
collection from Imagination as a second
album on a new label, I surely felt that
was the end. I was wrong. In 1992, the
main force behind Imagination (Leee John)
made the wise choice of continuing with
the group (name) instead of opting for a
solo career under his less familiar name.
Doing this at least gave a better prospect
of more listeners. The album 'Fascination
of the physical' continued with the string
of suggestive titles we come to expect from
Imagination, but this was not the same
Imagination. I felt this to be the new Imagination
of the 1990's. For the first time without
Ashley Ingram. Leee brings Imagination
to another level with the new members.
The first release that I bought from this was
an alternate P.M. remix of 'I like it'. None of
this material was released in the U.S. and
that was all that I could find. This mix made
me give more praise to the talents of Leee
John. The tribal-like drum grooves that
dominated this mix was all that was needed
to carry the tune and make you want to dance. Unfortunately, the album
version covers the effect of that drum track with more instrumentation
and only gives a hint of the dance potential. Other songs on the album
deliver in their original form. The dance songs
'Work','Ooh aah', and 'Call on me' are great
dance club tracks. Leee sings these songs
with the stern confidence needed to bring
life to the words. "He makes you want to work
on the dance floor". And unlike the production
on the remix album, these dance tracks are
well thought-out arrangements. The slow songs
'The night we loved' and 'I can't wait' are some of best R&B numbers to
come from the group. Leee really does a wonderful job handling
seemingly all the vocals with such diversity.
I feel this whole album showcased this man's
abilities. Another great mid-tempo R&B song
'The best of my life' is so commercial and smooth, I'm surprised that it
wasn't used as a single. The second release from the album
'Loving Tight' was a strong departure from the groups sound. This song
seems to imitate the New Jack Swing sound of young R&B acts in
the U.S. during the late 80's. The song is good
but there are so many better potential singles
to choose off this album. Leee chose to release
the 'Call on me' remix under the alias Johnny X
for the single. In my opinion, the original was
perfect for a dance single as well. But the man
has good ideas and the talent to go with it.
Maybe under his own name the future songs
will get more attention. But I hope to give a
review on the 'Fascination...Remix Project' in
the future. After this original album, I have
high expectations on the remix.