This was inspired by Steve Reich's album Music For 18 Musicians. A composer who studied at Juilliard, Reich experimented with electronic textures that Gabriel wanted to try in a rock format.
In an attempt to create different sounds, Gabriel did not allow cymbals on all of this album. The fast rhythm is generated by marimbas, a wooden African instrument which Gabriel used a lot in the future. Gabriel also used a programmable rhythm machine called a Paia to help create the beats. Gabriel later said that musically, this was one of his breakthrough tracks.
Phil Collins, who was taking a break from Genesis while his first marriage fell apart, played drums on this.
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