Brian Eno reportedly described Man Jumping as the most important band in the world, but his assertion didn't really help these dance-friendly worldbeat minimalists sell records, even as, following the release of their 1985 debut album Jump Cut on Bill Nelson's Cocteau label, they moved to the relatively higher-profile EG Records (Eno's label, by the way) for 1987's World Service. Keyboardists Orlando Gough, Glyn Perrin, Charlie Seaward, and Schaun Tozer, bassist/keyboardist John Lunn, saxophonist/flutist Andy Blake, and new drummer Simon Limbrick -- plus nine guests and extraordinary producer/engineer Philip Bagenal -- had the template established by Jump Cut firmly in place: a combination of precisely layered Steve Reich-ian counterpoint with funk, jazz, and dance music stylings and production values aimed at pop/rock audiences. From the very first track of World Service, however, Man Jumping seem ready to widen their frame somewhat, as "The Perils of Tourism" mixes brightly punched-up keys, solid yet nimble bass, and Balkan/Middle Eastern-flavored sax over a 12/8 flamenco rhythm. Midway through the six-minute track the music explodes into a break of nearly orchestral proportions and vocalist "Boris Goodenough" offers up some gruff, throaty declamations, followed by a jagged piano assault as the band churns along with unflagging momentum.

1		The Perils of Tourism
2		The Trouble Is Is
3		The Big Swing
4		Something in the City
5		On the Rocks
6		It's Been Fun
7		The Wedding