The record's title is a homage to the band Organisation, a precursor to Kraftwerk. "VCL XI" was the name of McCluskey and Humphreys' short-lived, pre-OMD group, which itself was named after a valve on the back of Kraftwerk's 1975 album Radio-Activity album (the name of the valve is written "VCL 11" on the Radio-Activity sleeve). McCluskey's father granted the band access to the site to sample sounds from the machinery a diesel pump forms the rhythmic opening of "Stanlow". OMD cherished the view of the refinery lit up at night, often observing it when returning from tours. "Stanlow" was written about the Stanlow Refinery in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, where McCluskey's father and sister worked. "Promise" features Humphreys' first lead vocal, and represents his first solo composition on an OMD album. OMD's arrangement is radically different from that of previous versions. The track began as an original composition, but McCluskey found himself singing the words to "The More I See You" over the song, which morphed into a cover version. " The More I See You" is a cover of a song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren in 1945, and popularised by Chris Montez in 1966. "The Misunderstanding" is a holdover from the Id. The song was written at the same time as the band's debut studio album, as was "Motion and Heart", which was considered as a second single. Sole single " Enola Gay" had little in common with the downbeat feel of the rest of the record, despite its bleak subject matter. Malcolm Holmes, who had drummed for precursor outfit the Id and provided session musicianship for OMD (notably on "Julia's Song", from the group's debut studio album), was recruited as a full-time band member, replacing the TEAC tape recorder named " Winston". McCluskey handled the majority of the songwriting, as Humphreys devoted more time to his relationship with California-based Maureen Udin. OMD's compositions were influenced by Joy Division's moody sound, with "Statues" being partially inspired by Curtis himself the record also drew from krautrock influences. The band had been Factory label-mates, and had played many gigs with Manchester group Joy Division, whose frontman Ian Curtis died by suicide during the writing of the album. Organisation features a darker, more melancholic tone than OMD's other work. We were young and didn't understand the recording process and he guided us and pushed us – he was sensitive to our more esoteric, experimental side." Additional recording was completed at Advision, London, and The Manor, Shipton-on-Cherwell. This marked the first time the group had worked with a producer keyboardist Paul Humphreys said, "We learned a lot from. They later moved on to Ridge Farm in Rusper to record vocals and additional instrumentation, working with Mike Howlett (former bass player of Gong). Dindisc requested a new studio album before Christmas lead vocalist Andy McCluskey recalled, "We were too naive to disagree." Backing tracks were recorded at the band's Gramophone Suite in Liverpool. OMD wrote the bulk of Organisation in June and July 1980. Much of Organisation was recorded at Ridge Farm, Rusper, with assistance from producer Mike Howlett.
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