Ground control to Major Tom...Big Break Records' sister imprint Hot Shot Records has recently reissued Peter Schilling's 1983 synthpop favorite Error in the System on CD in a newly expanded edition boasting a full complement of nine bonus tracks.

Error marked the first English-language album by German singer-songwriter Schilling and was, in turn, based on his German debut long-player Fehler im System of the previous year.  Schilling's sleek, New Wave-influenced sounds won him attention in West Germany when "Major Tom (Vollig Losgelost)" - a retelling of David Bowie's 1969 classic "Space Oddity" - reached No. 1 in that country as well as in Austria and Switzerland.  In France and the Netherlands, "Major Tom" reached No. 2.  All of these accolades prompted Schilling's label, WEA, to plan to break him in the United States.  The artist was signed to WEA's affiliate Elektra, and re-recorded "Major Tom (Coming Home)" and the rest of Fehler im System in English (with new lyrics provided by David Lodge and Matthew Garey).  The resulting album was Error in the System.

DJ/remix guru John Luongo was tapped to remix "Major Tom" for the New Wave club market, and spurred on by this success, the single began ascending the Billboard and Cash Box charts reaching No. 14 and No. 10, respectively.  It gained massive airplay on the burgeoning MTV, and made No. 1 in Canada.  (Schilling has periodically revisited the song, issuing new versions in 1994, 2000 and 2003.) Error in the System peaked at a respectable No. 61 on the Billboard 200, faring even better in Canada at a No. 33 berth.

There's more to Error than just "Major Tom," though, including the light reggae-influenced rhythm of "Lifetime Guarantee," the jagged rock of "Let's Play (U.S.A.)" and a wholly reinvented cover of the traditional holiday hymn "Silent Night" that's almost unrecognizable.  The album showcases Schilling's easy gifts for a pop hook, complemented by his then-contemporary production with co-writer Armin Sabol.  Hot Shot has expanded Error with nine bonus cuts including Luongo's 12-inch remix and an instrumental version of "Major Tom (Coming Home)" plus a number of the original German versions such as "Major Tom (Vollig Losgelost)."

Stephen "SPAZ" Schnee has written the new liner notes for this edition remastered by Nick Robbins.  It's handsomely housed in a Super Jewel Box in Big Break/Hot Shot's tradition.  There's no Error; this deluxe, expanded reissue is ripe for rediscovery.  You can order at the links below!

Peter Schilling, Error in the System (Elektra LP 9-60265-1, 1983 - reissued Hot Shot Records WHSR015, 2016) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

1. Only Dreams
2. Lifetime Guarantee
3. The Noah Plan
4. Error in the System
5. Major Tom (Coming Home)
6. Major Tom (Part 2)
7. Let's Play (U.S.A.)
8. I Have No Desire
9. Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (Silent Night, Holy Night)
10. Major Tom (Coming Home) (12-Inch Special Extended Version)
11. Die Wuste Lebt (12-Inch Remix)
12. Fehler im System
13. Fast Alles Konstruiert
14. ...Dann Trugt Der Schein
15. Ich Hab Keine Lust
16. S.A.
17. Major Tom (Vollig Losgelost)
18. Major Tom (Coming Home) (Instrumental Version)