"Quartet" is the sixth studio album by the British new wave band Ultravox, released in October 1982. The album achieved significant commercial success, peaking at number six on the UK Albums Chart and earning a Gold certification from the BPI for over 100,000 copies sold. It also reached number 13 in Germany and number 61 in the United States.
Following three albums with producer Conny Plank, Ultravox sought a fresh perspective and enlisted the legendary George Martin, known for his work with The Beatles. Martin agreed to produce the album, motivated in part by his daughter’s admiration for the band. The recording took place at AIR Studios in London and Montserrat during the summer of 1982.
In preparation, the band opted to develop their songs outside the studio, spending three weeks in rehearsal and then taking a week to refine their ideas. This method allowed them to create eight complete tracks, although they faced challenges in fitting their ideas together.
Despite the excitement surrounding Martin's involvement, some band members felt that Quartet ended up being overly polished, which detracted from their raw sound. Midge Ure and Warren Cann both expressed mixed feelings about the collaboration, noting that while it was a pleasure to work with Martin, the result was perhaps too safe.
Quartet was released in October 1982 and produced four singles that all reached the UK Top 20: "Reap the Wild Wind," "Hymn," "Visions in Blue," and "We Came to Dance." The album was also issued as a marble picture disc LP and later on cassette and CD.
To support the album, Ultravox embarked on the Monument Tour, their largest tour to date, spanning from November 1982 to May 1983, with performances across Europe, the United States, Canada, and Japan. This tour included the support band Messengers, who also provided backing vocals for Ultravox.
The album cover was designed by Peter Saville, known for his iconic artwork in the music industry.
Quartet remains a notable entry in Ultravox's discography, reflecting their evolution and the challenges of balancing artistic vision with commercial expectations.
