Ghost In the Machine, The Police - Promo

Obvious Promo - shame someone has started to rip the promo sticker off the front cover. The Label also has had promo sticker removed. All copies I could see did not include the inner sleeve pic. 

The Police – Ghost in the Machine

Artist: The Police

Title: Ghost in the Machine

Album Type: Fourth Studio Album

Original Release Date: October 2, 1981

Label: A&M Records

Genre: New Wave / Post-Punk / Reggae Rock / Art Rock

Background & Production Named after Arthur Koestler's philosophical psychology book, Ghost in the Machine marked a radical sonic departure for The Police. Recorded at AIR Studios in Montserrat with producer Hugh Padgham, the album saw the band moving away from their "power trio" roots toward a much denser, more complex sound. This was the first Police record to feature significant use of synthesizers and a horn section (mostly played by Sting himself). The recording sessions were famously tense, as the band members began to clash over the change in musical direction—a friction that paradoxically fueled the album’s dark, atmospheric energy.

Musical Composition & Style The album is characterized by a "darker" tone than their previous efforts, blending deep reggae grooves with sophisticated pop melodies and layered textures.

• The Horns & Synths: The inclusion of saxophone and the Roland GR-300 guitar synthesizer added a thick, wall-of-sound quality to tracks like "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," which became one of their most enduring global hits.

• Social & Political Commentary: Sting’s songwriting became more overtly political and philosophical. Tracks like "Invisible Sun" addressed the dark realities of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, while "Spirits in the Material World" explored the struggle between human consciousness and societal structures.

• Rhythmic Mastery: Despite the new electronic layers, Stewart Copeland’s intricate, world-music-influenced drumming remained the engine of the album, particularly on the driving, polyrhythmic "Demolition Man."

Legacy & Collector Notes Ghost in the Machine was a massive commercial success, reaching #1 in the UK and #2 on the US Billboard 200. The album’s cover art is iconic, featuring a digital representation of the three band members as red LED-style "segments" against a black background. For vinyl collectors, the original pressings are highly regarded for their high-fidelity production, capturing the lush, tropical studio acoustics of Montserrat. It is an essential title for any store focusing on the evolution of New Wave and the transition of 70s rock into the high-tech 80s.

• Keywords: The Police, Sting, Ghost in the Machine, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, New Wave, A&M Records, 1981 Vinyl, Stewart Copeland, Andy Summers, Post-Punk.

• Collection Ideas: 80s New Wave Masterpieces, Political Rock Albums, Essential UK Post-Punk, High-Fidelity 80s Rock.

• Related Artists: The Cars, Joe Jackson, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, U2.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve