Queen – Hot Space

Catalog: XE1-60128  |  Side A Matrix: XE1-60128-S1 A-CR (CR)

About the Artist

Queen needs little introduction. Formed in London in 1970, the band — Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon — became one of the most celebrated rock acts in history. Known for their theatrical live performances, genre-defying studio ambition, and Mercury's extraordinary vocal range, Queen built a catalog that spans hard rock, glam, opera, pop, and funk. Their influence on rock music is immeasurable, and their songs remain as vital today as when they were first released.

About the Album

Hot Space (1982) is one of Queen's most polarizing and fascinating records — a bold, deliberate pivot toward funk, R&B, and dance music at the height of the disco backlash. Produced by the band and Mack, the album was recorded at Mountain Studios in Montreux, Switzerland, and Musicland Studios in Munich. It arrived on the heels of the massively successful The Game (1980) and the Flash Gordon soundtrack, and it caught many fans off guard with its sleek, synth-driven grooves and stripped-back arrangements.

While it divided audiences at the time — particularly in North America, where rock radio largely rejected its direction — Hot Space has since been reassessed as a daring creative statement. Brian May himself has acknowledged the album's mixed reception, but the record stands as a testament to Queen's refusal to repeat themselves.

Highlights

• "Under Pressure" — The album's crown jewel and one of rock's great collaborations. Recorded spontaneously with David Bowie during a Montreux session, the track reached #1 in the UK and remains one of the most recognizable bass lines ever committed to tape.
• "Body Language" — The lead single, a funk-driven, percussion-heavy track that became a US Top 10 hit and caused controversy for its suggestive music video.
• "Staying Power" — A horn-laced funk opener that sets the album's tone immediately, featuring a full brass arrangement that gives it a live, soulful energy.
• "Las Palabras de Amor (The Words of Love)" — A tender, melodic ballad and a UK Top 20 hit, offering a more traditional Queen sound amid the album's funk experiments.
• "Back Chat" — A John Deacon-penned groove that leans hard into the funk-rock hybrid the album explores throughout.

Condition

This copy has been carefully cleaned with a Spin-Clean record washer and stored in a new plastic inner sleeve. The record shows minor surface scuffs but played flawlessly on a quality turntable with no skips; minor pops and crackles were noted during playback, consistent with the visual grade. The jacket is in good condition with corner aging and includes the original inner sleeve, as shown in photos.

A solid copy of a genuinely interesting chapter in Queen's discography — cleaned, sleeved, and ready to play.