Three Mantras

Record Mirror originally publicised Three Mantras as, '..what's been described as "the world's longest single"..', evidently referring to a press release supplied by the group's label, Rough Trade.^[8] The album was packaged in an intentionally confusing manner, with the 'Eastern' and 'Western' titles reversed on the cover, the same label on both sides and a sticker on early pressings apologizing for there only being two mantras (despite the title) and explaining that the album was being priced as a single to make up for it.^{[citation needed]} The reversed vocal that runs all the way through 'Eastern Mantra' is the name of another Sheffield electronic band; The Human League.

According to Trouser Press, Three Mantras is "the group's first explicit venture into non-Western musical forms". It further commented, "The record also marks a shift in technique, as musical demands take precedence over production to strange and beautiful effect."^[9]

Cabaret Voltaire

• Richard H. Kirk – guitar, wind instruments
• Stephen Mallinder – bass guitar, vocals, electronic percussion
• Chris Watson – synthesizers, tapes

Additional personnel

• John Clayton – percussion (on "Eastern Mantra")
• Jane – tapes, Jerusalem market recordings (on "Eastern Mantra")

Technical

• Cabaret Voltaire – recording, production
• George Peckham – mastering