The Great Leap Forward was a British indie band formed by former Big Flame member Alan Brown, when his previous band ended 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, but 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 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 took a long sojourn from music in 1991.
Returning to recording in 2008, Brown released an 11 track CD "Finished Unfinished Business" comprising a mix of unfinished and new material, to be followed by a 13 track CD in 2012 "This Is Our Decade Of Living Cheaply And Getting By". A number of live performances took place either as solo acoustic sets or accompanied by Simon Williams of Sarandon on bass. During this period Brown also recorded and played bass in Sarandon, and played guitar in the reformed A Witness line in 2014, for whom he had drummed way back in 1987/88.
In 2021 Brown as The Great Leap Forward is releasing a further 13 track album "Revolt Against An Age Of Plenty" on A Turntable Friend Records. There are plans to play live later in the year.
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.[1]
