JAPAN

Description

Canadian first edition 12" with picture sleeve.

This Canadian 12″ single of Japan’s “The Art of Parties” was released on 29 April 1981 through Virgin Records, with manufacturing and distribution handled by PolyGram Canada. It carries the catalogue number VEP 305, a designation unique to the Canadian market and distinct from UK and European pressings.

The record is pressed on 12-inch vinyl, plays at 33⅓ RPM, and is presented in stereo, offering the full-length album version of the track rather than a radio edit. Canadian PolyGram pressings from this period are generally well regarded for their sound quality, with clean, quiet vinyl typical of early-1980s manufacturing standards.

Released during Japan’s commercial peak, “The Art of Parties” represents a transitional moment in the band’s evolution, bridging the funk-inflected art rock of Gentlemen Take Polaroids with the more minimalist, experimental direction that would culminate in Tin Drum. The single showcases Mick Karn’s distinctive fretless bass, Steve Jansen’s complex rhythmic approach, and David Sylvian’s increasingly detached vocal style.

As a Canadian issue, this 12″ single is less commonly encountered than its UK counterpart, making it of particular interest to collectors of Japan and David Sylvian–related releases. Its combination of period-correct Virgin artwork, PolyGram pressing quality, and historical placement within the band’s discography adds to its appeal for both listeners and completists.