B.E.F., short for British Electric Foundation, was founded in 1980 by former Human League members Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh in the United Kingdom, with both serving as composers, producers, and keyboardists. The group’s initial release, the cassette Music for Stowaways, emerged the same year, inspired by the first Sony Walkman, and was followed by the vinyl Music for Listening To, which reached a broader export market. In 1982, B.E.F. issued Music of Quality and Distinction Volume One through Virgin Records, a compilation of covers performed by various artists, featuring Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17 on tracks such as "Wichita Lineman" and "Perfect Day"; the album entered the UK Top 100, peaking at number 25. A second volume appeared in 1991 under Ten Records, again featuring guest vocalists including Tina Turner and Billy Mackenzie, and produced the single "Family Affair" featuring Lalah Hathaway, which reached the UK Top 40. B.E.F. performed live for the first time in 2007 at the Tribute to Billy MacKenzie Concert, collaborating with Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17 and Billie Godfrey, and has remained an influential production entity within the new wave and rock genres.
