Great Leap Forward

The Great Leap Forward was a British indie band formed by former Big Flame member Alan Brown, when his previous band split up in 1987. Great Leap Forward was essentially a solo project, although various musicians were added for live performances. The sound was more melodic and danceable than his earlier band, still with overtly political lyrics. After three 12" EPs on Ron Johnson Records, that label's collapse led to a move to Communications Unique for debut album Don't Be Afraid Of Change, receiving critical acclaim. A final 12" single Heart and Soul was followed by the LP compilation Season 87-88 which largely comprised tracks from the three Ron Johnson singles, and the CD compilation Great Leap Forward before Brown called it a day in early 1990. A mini-LP, Tolerance & Respect had been planned for a Spring 1990 release but was shelved.

Links to Peel
The Great Leap Forward did two sessions for Peel's shows and were frequently played on his programmes. The band came out through Big Flame's Alan Brown, whose former group were one of Peel's favourites.

On his 30 November 1987 show, Peel mentioned the appalling driving he saw, when travelling to Nottingham to see the Great Leap Forward, Twang and A Witness for a Ron Johnson label night.

Sessions
1. Recorded: 1987-05-24. Broadcast: 08 June 1987. Repeated: 24 June 1987, 29 July 1987, 23 December 1987 2. Recorded: 1988-01-26. Broadcast: 08 February 1988. Repeated: 01 March 1988
 * Propping Up The Nose Of The King / Hope's Not Enough Son - Ask Your Parents / Haranguing The Boisterous Buffoons / When It's Cold In Summer
 * How To Be Successful In A World Of Failure / Cursing This Audacity / A Peck On The Cheek A La Politique / The Original Sin

Shows Played

 * 1987
 * The Great Leap Forward - A Peck on the Cheek February 1987: Bereavement Of Speech (v/a flexi - No Idea! Fanzine) No Idea
 * 07 April 1987: If The C.A.P.'s Flat, Then Waive It (12" - Controlling The Edges Of Tone) Ron Johnson
 * 24 April 1987 (BFBS): 'Hope's Not Enough, Son - Ask Your Parents (12"-Controlling The Edges Of Tone)' (Ron Johnson)
 * 24 April 1987 (BFBS): 'If The C.A.P.'s Flat, Then Waive It (12"-Controlling The Edges Of Tone)' (Ron Johnson)
 * April 1987 (Radio Bremen): Let's Jive While We're Still Alive (12" - Controlling The Edges Of Tone) Ron Johnson
 * April 1987 (Radio Bremen): My Grandfather's Cluck (12" - Controlling The Edges Of Tone) Ron Johnson
 * 15 May 1987 (Radio Bremen): Let's Jive While We're Still Alive (12" - Controlling The Edges Of Tone) Ron Johnson
 * 02 June 1987: Hope Not's Enough, Son - Ask Your Parents (12" - Controlling The Edges Of Tone) Ron Johnson
 * 15 December 1987: A Peck On The Cheek À La Politiqué (12") Ron Johnson
 * 21 December 1987: A Peck On The Cheek À La Politiqué (12") Ron Johnson
 * December (No. 2) 1987 (BBC World Service): A Peck On The Cheek (12" A Peck On The Cheek A La Politique) Ron Johnson
 * 1988
 * 08 January 1988 (BFBS): 'A Peck On The Cheek À La Politiqué (12")' (Ron Johnson)
 * 18 January 1988: A Peck On The Cheek A La Politique (12") Ron Johnson
 * 26 January 1988: A Peck On The Cheek À La Politiqué (7") Ron Johnson
 * 24 August 1988: Weddings. Parties. Anything. (v/a 7" - Vinile No.2) Stampa Alternativa
 * 1989
 * 03 April 1989: Haranguing The Boistrous Bufoons (album - Dont Be Afraid Of Change) Communications Unique
 * 11 April 1989 (Radio Bremen): Honours In Spades (album - Don't Be Afraid Of Change) Communications Unique
 * 27 April 1989: Honours In Spades (album - Don't Be Afraid Of Change) Communications Unique
 * 03 May 1989: The Nose On The King (album - Don't Be Afraid Of Change) Communications Unique
 * 11 May 1989: May God Forgive Us For We Are But Women (album - Don't Be Afraid Of Change) Communications Unique
 * 1990
 * 04 January 1990: Heart And Soul (12") Communications Unique