Cupid & Psyche 85, the landmark album that put Scritti Politti on the map, is being reissued as a new deluxe edition.
This definitive edition includes not only the version beloved by fans for many years but also rare tracks carefully selected from the archives. This release features the latest remaster of the original album, along with bonus tracks and remixes.
Of particular note is the fact that the 13-track version—produced specifically for the then-new CD format at the time of its June 1985 release—is being released on vinyl for the first time. Green Garthside served as the supervising producer for this release. The remastering was handled by Chris Assenz, who has also worked with Drake and the Beastie Boys. Furthermore, three previously unreleased tracks have been unearthed from the Scritti Politti archives. “Perfect Way (Version),” “Lover To Fall (12" Dance Mix),” and “Perfect Way (Perfect Way Mix)” are all receiving their first official release. The release also includes self-written liner notes by Green Gartside and David Gamson, who joined Scritti Politti during the production of Cupid & Psyche 85 and contributed significantly to the album’s sound.
As hinted at in the 1982 album Songs To Remember (reissued on April 10, 2026), but Scritti Politti made a spectacular leap forward with 1985’s Cupid & Psyche 85. Blending soulful melodies, classical arrangements, and cutting-edge lyrics, the production—which pushed the tape-based recording technology of the time to its absolute limits—anticipated the creative foundations that underpin today’s cutting-edge music production. Thanks to the meticulous studio work of Green Gartside and David Gamson, as well as collaborations with renowned producer Arif Mardin, Average White Band, Steve Ferrone (drummer for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers), and vocalist Tawasa Aji—resulted in Cupid & Psyche 85, an album brimming with ideas and a spirit of experimentation.
While boldly embracing the maximalism of 1980s pop, this album was also influenced by the production sensibilities, attitude, as well as the vocal delivery of the hip-hop scene—which was still in its infancy at the time—and, through this free and open sensibility, has been elevated into a unique “Scritti Politti-ness.” The 1985 CD release also symbolized this approach. The band actively embraced cutting-edge technology of the time and, with an approach reminiscent of rap artists, produced additional mixes and alternate versions.
The Japanese CD edition includes liner notes, bilingual lyrics, bonus tracks, and self-written liner notes by Green Gartside and David Gamson. “Perfect Way - Version,” included as the 14th track on the main album, has been remastered by Chris Assenz specifically for this release. In addition to these deluxe features, the Japanese CD edition includes the original recording of “Perfect Way - Version” as featured on the 2022 reissue. Furthermore, the 13-track version is being released on LP for the first time. In addition to the standard edition (black vinyl), a limited edition (black vinyl / includes self-written liner notes / features a Japanese obi strip / comes with a booklet and bilingual lyrics) will be available.