Time and Tide was Basia's first solo album following her and Danny White's departure from the band Matt Bianco. The pair co-produced and mostly co-wrote the material themselves, although Peter Ross of Immaculate Fools contributed to five songs on the album. The record showcases considerable influences from Brazilian music, noted in the track "Astrud", a tribute to Basia's idol Astrud Gilberto.[5][6]
The album was released in April 1987 in Europe by Portrait Records (CBS) and on 21 August 1987 in the United States by Epic Records. It turned out a considerable success in France where it was certified gold,[7] but performed poorly in the UK and Germany, much to Basia and Danny's disappointment, considering their previous success with Matt Bianco in those markets.[8] The album, however, started to get noticed in the U.S., where it found popularity on the new adult contemporary stations. In December 1987, it was included in Billboard's list of "overlooked pop albums that deserved more attention" compiled by Geoff Mayfield.[9] Originally, Epic Records did not have big expectations towards the album and their target was to sell 10,000 copies. The figure took the label bosses by surprise when it quickly rose to 100,000 and eventually one million.[8] The album was subsequently awarded a platinum sales certification by the Recording Industry Association of America in November 1989 for selling one million copies in the U.S. alone.[10]Time and Tide was followed by the even more successful London Warsaw New York. In 2013, the album was re-released by independent UK label Cherry Red Records as 2 CD deluxe edition featuring instrumental versions and remixes.[11][12]
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