Artist page · 04/07/2026

Barry Adamson

Moss SideBorn in 1958Alternatif9 vinyl albums
Barry Adamson, born June 11, 1958 in Moss Side, Manchester, is a British bassist and composer whose work spans alternative rock, electronic, and cinematic jazz since the late 1970s.
9Albums on Vinyles.com
279Discogs releases
240kLast.fm listeners

About

Barry Adamson, From Manchester's post-punk roots to cinematic jazz landscapes.

10 vinyl records spanning alternative, electro, and dark jazz with fresh reissues and rare pressings.

Barry Adamson began his career in 1977 with Magazine, a key figure in the British new wave scene. After leaving the band in the early 1980s, he played with Birthday Party and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, appearing on three significant albums. In 1988, he embarked on a solo career focused on jazz-inflected soundtracks and atmospheric music influenced by film noir. Early solo highlights include "Moss Side Story" (1989), "Soul Murder" (1992), and "Oedipus Schmoedipus" (1995), featuring collaborators Jarvis Cocker, Bill McKenzie, and Nick Cave.

Adamson has since released a steady slate of albums blending electronic, jazz, and alternative styles, including recent vinyl editions like "Back To The Cat" (2008), "Know Where To Run" (2016), and "Cut To Black" (2024).

Discography

Barry Adamson — Discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Scala!!! (Original Soundtrack By Barry Adamson)Mute · 2026
2026
Scala!!! (Original Soundtrack By Barry Adamson)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
Studio
Cut To BlackBarry Adamson Incorporated · 2024
2024
Cut To Black
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Live At The Union ChapelLive Here Now · 2019
2019
Live At The Union Chapel
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Live
Know Where To RunCentral Control International · 2016
2016
Know Where To Run
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
I Will Set You FreeCentral Control International · 2012
2012
I Will Set You Free
CD, Album
Studio
TherapistCentral Control International · 2011
2011
Therapist
DVD, PAL, CD, Album
Studio
Back To The CatCentral Control International · 2008
2008
Back To The Cat
CD, Album
Studio
Stranger On The SofaCentral Control International · 2006
2006
Stranger On The Sofa
CD, Album
Studio
The King Of Nothing HillMute · 2002
2002
The King Of Nothing Hill
CD, Album
Studio
As Above So BelowMute · 1998
1998
As Above So Below
CD, Album
Studio
Oedipus SchmoedipusMute · 1996
1996
Oedipus Schmoedipus
CD, Album
Studio
Soul MurderMute · 1992
1992
Soul Murder
CD, Album
Studio
DelusionMute · 1991
1991
Delusion
CD, Album
Studio
Moss Side StoryMute · 1989
1989
Moss Side Story
CD, Album
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Barry Adamson's career.

01
Something Wicked This Way Comes
·
02
Hollywood Sunset
·
03
Mr. Eddy's Theme 1
·
04
Mr. Eddy's Theme 2
·
05
The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But The Vibes
·
06
Something Wicked This Way Comes (edit)
·
07
Jazz Devil
·
08
Hungry Ants
·

The essentials

The 3 Barry Adamson albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 2008
LP, Album
Back To The Cat

An album defining Adamson's fusion of electronic jazz and neo-soul, available in original and reissue pressings with a solid vinyl catalog.

10 tracksCentral Control International labelAvailable in original & reissue editionsContains "The Beaten Side Of Town"
#2 · 2016
LP, Album
Know Where To Run

Experimental rock with jazz and pop elements showcased across two vinyl editions, including a limited edition reissue from the Mute label.

9 tracksCentral Control International & Mute labelsOriginal & limited reissue editionsExperimental style
#3 · 2024
LP, Album
Cut To Black

Most recent studio album combining soul, rhythm & blues, and dark jazz, released by Barry Adamson Incorporated with active collector interest.

10 tracksUK pressingLabel: Barry Adamson IncorporatedReleased 2024

Go further

Artists similar to Barry Adamson

Artists who share part of Barry Adamson's musical DNA.

Collectors

For vinyl die-hards

The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.

Market values (source: Discogs)

For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.

Scala!!! (Original Soundtrack By Barry Adamson)
Master release · LP · 2026
Market position i
24,87 €
Min price 25 €Max price 25 €
Average price 24,87 €
Only 10 copies for sale on Discogs
13 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Cut To Black
Master release · LP · 2024
Market position i
17,34 €
Min price 17 €Max price 17 €
Average price 17,34 €
Only 29 copies for sale on Discogs
24 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Know Where To Run
Master release · LP · 2016
Market position i
10,80 €
Min price 8 €Max price 14 €
Average price 10,80 €
Only 51 copies for sale on Discogs
74 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
I Will Set You Free
Master release · LP · 2012
Market position i
9,79 €
Min price 8 €Max price 12 €
Average price 9,79 €
Only 43 copies for sale on Discogs
40 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Back To The Cat
Master release · LP · 2008
Market position i
19,84 €
Min price 20 €Max price 20 €
Average price 19,84 €
Only 32 copies for sale on Discogs
46 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Stranger On The Sofa
Master release · LP · 2006
Market position i
17,40 €
Min price 17 €Max price 17 €
Average price 17,40 €
Only 28 copies for sale on Discogs
40 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)

Notable pressings & editions

AlbumEdition Country · Year Matrix Market tension Value
Scala!!! (Original Soundtrack By Barry Adamson)LP, Album, Limited Edition
Mute Worldwide · 2026 IONIC20 Original pressing
13 want · 51 have · ratio 0,3
24,87 €
Cut To BlackLP, Album
Barry Adamson Incorporated UK · 2024 BAILP1 Original pressing
24 want · 214 have · ratio 0,1
17,34 €
Back To The CatLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue
Mute UK · 2022 BARRY2 🔥 Standard edition
46 want · 353 have · ratio 0,1
19,72 €
I Will Set You FreeLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue
Mute UK · 2022 BARRY3 🔥 Standard edition
40 want · 231 have · ratio 0,2
12,08 €
Know Where To RunLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue
Mute UK · 2022 BARRY4 🔥 Standard edition
74 want · 213 have · ratio 0,3
7,60 €
Know Where To RunLP, Album
Central Control International UK · 2016 CCI021 LP Original pressing
74 want · 213 have · ratio 0,3
14,00 €
I Will Set You FreeLP, Album
Central Control International UK · 2012 CCI019LP Original pressing
40 want · 231 have · ratio 0,2
7,50 €
Back To The CatLP, Album
Central Control International UK · 2008 CC1007LP Original pressing
46 want · 353 have · ratio 0,1
19,95 €

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Barry Adamson

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

"When I realized I was still alive, I immediately grabbed a pen."
— Barry Adamson
01Career Milestone

Early work with Magazine and Nick Cave

Barry Adamson started his career in 1977 with Manchester’s Magazine and later joined Birthday Party and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, contributing to three pivotal albums before 1988.

1977Manchester
02Album Release

Moss Side Story, 1989

His first major solo album, Moss Side Story, released in 1989, set the stage for his cinematic jazz style that blends soundtracks and alternative influences.

1989UK
03Soundtrack

Scala!!! Original Soundtrack

Scheduled for 2026, "Scala!!!", released on Mute as a limited edition LP, features 22 tracks and blends dark jazz, funk, and fusion, marking a recent cinematic project.

2026Worldwide
04Health & Creativity

Composing 'Jazz Devil' after surgery

In 1998, after waking from surgery under uncertainty if he would survive, Adamson composed "Jazz Devil" just three days later, marking a stylistic shift with vocal songs.

1998UK
05Collaborations

Guest appearances on Oedipus Schmoedipus, 1995

The 1995 album "Oedipus Schmoedipus" featured guests Jarvis Cocker, Bill McKenzie, and Nick Cave, integrating varied influences in an eclectic work.

1995UK

FAQ

FAQ: Barry Adamson on physical formats

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

Who is Barry Adamson?

Barry Adamson is a British bassist and composer from Manchester, active since 1977 with roots in post-punk and cinematic jazz.

What genres does Barry Adamson's music cover?

His work spans alternative rock, electronic, jazz, experimental, and soundtrack music with noir influences.

Which Barry Adamson albums are available on vinyl?

Notable vinyl albums include Back To The Cat, Know Where To Run, Cut To Black, I Will Set You Free, and Stranger On The Sofa.

What labels have released Barry Adamson's vinyl records?

Labels include Mute, Central Control International, and Barry Adamson Incorporated.

Are there any limited edition Barry Adamson vinyls?

Yes, the 2026 soundtracking album Scala!!! is a limited edition LP on Mute with around 10 copies currently for sale.

Where was Barry Adamson born?

Barry Adamson was born in Moss Side, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Are Barry Adamson vinyl records popular in France?

While primarily UK-based, his vinyls are available and collected in France through various specialized distributors.

How can I identify original Barry Adamson pressings?

Original pressings often bear catalog numbers like CC1007LP for Back To The Cat (2008) or BAILP1 for Cut To Black (2024).

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 04/07/2026