Innocence - Natural Thing (12" Elevation Mix)

Innocence - Natural Thing (Elevation Mix) / 12 Inch Extended Remix (HQ Audio)

Innocence retain a relatively low profile legacy despite having five Top 40 hits and a Top 30 album within two years at the beginning of the 1990s.

Perhaps this is partly because they were predominantly a studio band, the project of the production team Anna Jolley, Mark Jolley, and Brian Harris.

The trio were most prolific in creating music for films and advertisements and also produced Robert Palmer's 1988 album Heavy Nova, as well as this project.

An early version of "Natural Thing" gained some traction in New York in 1989, so the track was re-recorded for a wider release. Vocalist Gee Morris was invited to join on vocals, having been a prolific singer for church groups, most notably 'New Life' in the Seventh-day Adventist community.

Morris provided vocals for both of Innocence's studio albums. When the group disbanded in 1994, she released a solo album on Epic Records, produced by her husband Billy Osborne, who was a drummer for Alexander O'Neal and Stevie V.

Morris later performed with O'Neal on his arena tours and co-wrote songs for him before becoming a member of a new lineup of Boney M, alongside original member Maizie Williams.

"Natural Thing" was recorded at Trident Studios in London. The studio has an illustrious past, with David Bowie, Elton John, Queen, and Lou Reed all recording some of their most famous albums there.

Innocence's link to Britain's rock legacy doesn't end there.

This extended mix of "Natural Thing", the "Elevation Mix," features the complete introduction and guitar solo from Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," so Jolley, Jolley, and Harris sharing writing credits with the band.

"Natural Thing" was released on Cooltempo Records in February 1990 and spent five weeks in the Top 40, peaking at number 16.

Innocence had further Top 40 hits with "Silent Voice" (#37), "Let's Push It" (#25), "A Matter Of Fact" (#37), "I'll Be There" (#26), and a cover of Diana Ross' "One Love In My Lifetime" (#40).

Their debut album Build reached number 24 on the UK Albums Chart.

Innocence's hits aligned with a prolific time for Cooltempo Records.

Under the direction of A&R head Ken Grunbaum (who had earlier signed Paul Hardcastle for his number-one hit "19") and club promotions lead Simon Dunmore (who would later found Defected Records), the Chrysalis Records imprint signed Monie Love, Adeva, Kenny Thomas, Milli Vanilli, Shara Nelson, Mica Paris, Gang Starr, the Brand New Heavies, and Arrested Development.

Nevertheless, in 1990, Innocence were one of Cooltempo's most-charting acts, and "Natural Thing" was one of the label's earliest Top 30 hits.

This extended mix is perhaps the highlight of Innocence's back catalogue - and note the highly unusual ending: the rain sounds are recorded into the run-out groove, and continue to play on a loop. So while this remix is officially timed at 10:03, it effectively has no end.

Year: 1990 Label: Cooltempo Cat no: COOLX201