Soul Mining was Matt Johnson's second album (his first, Burning Blue Soul, was released in 1981 as Matt Johnson, though reissues have tended to use The The). It was released in 1983 and included the UK hit singles "Uncertain Smile" which had reached No. 68 in December 1982 and "Perfect" which made No. 71 in September 1983 with David Johanson of the New York Dolls playing harmonica. The album version of "Uncertain Smile" featured the piano playing of Jools Holland. Jools revealed in his 2007 biography it is in fact two separate solos joined together.