On this day in music history: October 2, 1981 - “Ghost In The Machine”, the fourth album The Police is released. Produced by The Police and Hugh Padgham, it is recorded at AIR Studios in Montserrat and Le Studio in Montreal, QC, Canada from January - September 1981. Following the success of their previous release “Zenyatta Mondatta, The Police’s next album marks a noticeable shift in their sound, expanding beyond their basic rock trio sound. The new material sees The Police incorporating keyboards and horns prominently into the mix. The title is inspired by the work of novelist Arthur Koestler, of whom Sting is an avid reader. The released version of the first single “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” (#3 US Pop, #1 UK) is Sting’s original home demo recording of the song, with drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers overdubbing their parts. Though Summers voices his displeasure at the inclusion of keyboardist Jean Roussel (Cat Stevens), playing on the track. His reason being that he feels that the piano parts, were uncharacteristic of The Police’s sound. The band find that they are not able to improve on the original demo, when they attempt to re-record the song in a proper studio. The second recording is eventually aborted, because of the large amount of recording budget spent on the demo. The albums now iconic cover artwork designed by artist Mick Haggerty, features digital numeral graphics that are actually caricatures of the three band members. The album spins off several singles including “Spirits In The Material World” (#11 US Pop, #12 UK) and “Invisible Sun” (#2 UK). Some original US copies of the "Ghost” LP are pressed on high quality audiophile vinyl, that has a grey translucent hue when held up to a light. Originally released on CD in 1984, the album remastered and reissued on CD in 1995. The CD is remastered again in 2003, with enhanced content that includes a Quick Time video of “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”. At the same time, it is also issued as a hybrid SACD disc, with the SACD layer featuring high definition audio mastered at 24-bit/96KHz. Out of print on vinyl since 1989, it is remastered and reissued as a 180 gram LP in 2016. Mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios in London, the LP is half-speed mastered for optimal sound quality, coming with a certificate explaining the remastering process. The vinyl release replicates the original vinyl packaging, and comes with an OBI strip wrapped around the LP spine. “Ghost In The Machine” spends six weeks at number two on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified 3x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.
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