The Gift

About The Gift

The Gift is the first solo album by Ultravox frontman Midge Ure, released in 1985. It was released while Ultravox were taking a break; the band would go on to release U-Vox before splitting. The album reached #2 in the UK Albums Chart partly due to the large attention drawn to it by the single "If I Was" which reached #1 in the UK Singles Chart in September 1985. "That Certain Smile" was released as the second single in November 1985, and "Wastelands" was released as the third single in January 1986. Daniel Mitchell and Ure wrote "Wastelands" together for the band Modern Man. They started a songwriting partnership that has produced 5 songs on "The Gift", including a reworking of "Wastelands", which was originally from the Midge Ure-produced Modern Man album Concrete Scheme released 1980. "The Gift" features 3 instrumental tracks, which was recorded on the Caribbean island of Montserrat using a Casio CZ-101. Ure said in '85: "I like instrumental music. I find it very easy to listen to and it allows you to use your imagination in a way that most pop music doesn't. It's refreshing. more »