Bundle of US pension documents from 1906 bound in red tape

Red tape is excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making. It is usually applied to governments, corporations and other large organizations.

One definition is the "collection or sequence of forms and procedures required to gain bureaucratic approval for something, especially when oppressively complex and time-consuming".^[1] Another definition is the "bureaucratic practice of hair splitting or foot dragging, blamed by its practitioners on the system that forces them to follow prescribed procedures to the letter".^[2]

Red tape generally includes filling out paperwork, obtaining licenses, having multiple people or committees approve a decision and various low-level rules that make conducting one's affairs slower, more difficult, or both. Red tape can also include "filing and certification requirements, reporting, investigation, inspection and enforcement practices, and procedures".^[3]

Origins[link]

The origin of the term is somewhat obscure, but it is first noted in historical records in the 16th century, when Henry VIII besieged Pope Clement VII with around eighty or so petitions for the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. A photo of the petitions from Cardinal Wolsey and others, now stored in the Vatican archives, can be seen on page 160 of "Saints and Sinners, a history of The Popes", by Eamon Duffy (published by Yale University Press in 1997). The documents can be viewed rolled and stacked in their original condition, each one sealed and bound with the obligatory red tape, as was the custom.

It appears likely that it was the Spanish administration of Charles V in the early 16th century, who started to use the red tape in an effort to modernise the administration that was running his vast empire. The red tape was used to bind the important administrative dossiers that had to be discussed by the Council of State, and separate them from the issues that were treated in an ordinary administrative way, which were bound by an ordinary rope. Most of the red tapes arriving to the Council of State were manufactured in the city of 's-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, because most of the important dossiers came from the Low Countries and Germany. The Spanish name for red tape "balduque" took the name from the Spanish translation of the city of 's-Hertogenbosch which is "Bolduque".

Although they were not governing such a vast territory as Charles V, this practice of using red tape to separate the important dossiers that had to be discussed, was quickly copied by the other modern European monarchs to speed up their administrative machines.

In this age of civil servants using computers and information technology, a legacy from the administration of the Spanish Empire can still be observed where some parts of the higher levels of the Spanish administration continue the tradition of using red tape to bind important dossiers that need to be discussed and to keep them bound in red tape when the dossier is closed. This is, for example, the case for the Spanish Council of State, the supreme consultative council of the Spanish Government. In contrast, the lower Spanish courts use ordinary ropes to bundle documents as their cases are not supposed to be heard at higher levels. The Spanish Government plans to phase out the use of paper and abandon the practice of using ordinary ropes.

The tradition continued through to the 17th and 18th century. Although Charles Dickens is believed to have used the phrase before Thomas Carlyle,^[4] the English practice of binding documents and official papers with red tape was popularized in Carlyle's writings, protesting against official inertia with expressions like "Little other than a red tape Talking-machine, and unhappy Bag of Parliamentary Eloquence". To this day, most defence barristers' briefs, and those from private clients, are tied in a pink-coloured ribbon known as "pink tape" or "legal tape". Government briefs, including those of the prosecution counsel, are usually bound with white tape, introduced as an economy measure^{[citation needed]} to save the expense of dyeing the tape red. Traditionally, official Vatican documents were also bound in red cloth tape.

All American Civil War veterans' records were bound in red tape, and the difficulty in accessing them led to the modern American use of the term,^[5] but there is evidence (as detailed above) that the term was in use in its modern sense sometime before this.

The words "Red Tape" have been used in many protest songs throughout the 1960s-1980s. The most famous example of this is found in Metallica's "...And Justice For All", which features Lady Justice being torn down and money falling from her balances.

Red tape reduction[link]

The "cutting of red tape" is a popular electoral and policy promise.^{[citation needed]} In the United States, a number of committees have discussed and debated Red Tape Reduction Acts.^{[citation needed]}

The European Commission has a competition that offers an award for the "Best Idea for Red Tape Reduction". The competition is "aimed at identifying innovative suggestions for reducing unnecessary bureaucracy stemming from European law".^[6] In 2008, the European Commission held a conference entitled 'Cutting Red Tape for Europe'. The goal of the conference was "reducing red tape and overbearing bureaucracy" to help "business people and entrepreneurs improve competitiveness".^[7]

See also[link]

• Busy work
• Micromanagement
• Paperwork Reduction Act
• Sir Humphrey Appleby
• Purple crocodile

References[link]

This article uses bare URLs for citations. Please consider adding full citations so that the article remains verifiable. Several templates and the Reflinks tool are available to assist in formatting. (Reflinks documentation) (November 2011)

1. ^ http://www.answers.com/topic/red-tape#ixzz1CwZvWSJz
2. ^ http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/red-tape.html
3. ^ http://www.gov.nl.ca/redtape/
4. ^ p.1152, Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable, 17th Edition; Revised by J Ayto, 2005
5. ^ Red Tape, North and South, in the Civil War
6. ^ http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/better-regulation/administrative-burdens/award/
7. ^ http://www.cuttingredtape.eu/

Books[link]

• Barry Bozeman (2000) Bureaucracy and Red Tape Prentice-Hall Publishing.
• OECD (2006) 'Cutting red tape; national strategies for administrative simplification' OECD Editions, Paris.

External links[link]

• Australian Taskforce on Reducing the Regulatory Burdens on Business – Rethinking Regulation
• Instruction creep
• Monash Centre for Regulatory Studies
• 10-Point Plan for Regulatory Reform in Ontario
• Regulatory Affairs Resources
• Unravelling the Red Tape Myths - UK
• Shortage of skilled workers knocks red tape off top of business constraints league table - Grant Thornton IBR
• "Red Tape Rising: Obama's Torrent of New Regulation" -- one in a popular series of reports from The Heritage Foundation, a think tank in Washington, D.C., on the growth of federal regulation.

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (August 2008)

Kevin Toney is an American pianist and composer, known as an original member of The Blackbyrds and now is a solo artist and performer.

Biography[link]

Toney was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan where he attended the prestigious Cass Technical High School. He was performing with the groundbreaking jazz-fusion group The Blackbyrds when he received his B.A. in Composition and Jazz Studies from Howard University.^[1] Seven albums were recorded with the group, three of which were certified gold. Many of their hit songs including "Rock Creek Park" and the Grammy nominated "Unfinished Business" were written by Toney.^[1]

In the years between the Blackbyrds and his subsequent career as a solo recording artist, Toney was a conductor and arranger for recording and performing artists including: James Ingram, Patti Austin, Michael McDonald, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., Carl Anderson, Edwin Hawkins and Isaac Hayes. He also served as conductor and arranger for productions of: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Five Guys Named Moe, Sophisticated Ladies, Harlem Suite, Wild Women Blues (featuring Linda Hopkins) The Magic Of Motown: A Tribute To Barry Gordy and Atlanta. He has also recorded and/or performed with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Seal, Annie Lennox, Shirley Caesar, Ray Charles, Ray Parker Jr., Pink, Kenny Burrell, Nancy Wilson and O.C. Smith to name a few.

Although Toney released his first solo recording, Special K, in 1982, his career as a solo artist really began to take off in 1994 with the release of Lovescape, which yielded two major smooth jazz radio hits in "Kings" and "Aphrodisiac". His follow-up was the 1995 release of Pastel Mood, which featured Carl Anderson, and subsequent releases of: Extra Sensual Perception, Strut, Sweet Spot, 110 Degrees and Rising and Retrospectives, which was released in 2006. The 2002 Winter Olympic Committee selected the Strut CD as part of its official music.^[1] Toney’s collaboration with Unwrapped producer Tony Joseph on the compilation Def Jazz, a smooth jazz interpretation of rap classics, was released in 2005 on Def Jam Records.

Toney’s current project titled A Grateful Heart is his first solo piano recording. Toney recently released the Kevin Toney Collection Volume 1, which includes 24 of his most popular recorded compositions, and scored a full length feature film titled Kings of the Evening.

Kevin Toney is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Reception[link]

Urban Network says “Kevin Toney has proven himself to be among the most masterful and versatile keyboardist of his generation, playing with a technical proficiency that is at the absolute peak of the contemporary jazz game.”^{[citation needed]} Billboard Magazine notes “Toney's piano skills and ear for melody set him apart from the pack and make him enjoyable and engaging."^{[citation needed]} “Throughout his career as a pianist and composer, Kevin Toney has continually demonstrated why he is one of contemporary jazz’s brightest and most inspiring talents. - 'Kenny Burrell', Jazz Guitar Legend, Director UCLA Jazz Studies Program^{[citation needed]} “Toney’s intricate compositions and sophisticated piano playing are evidence of his rich and solid jazz, blues and gospel roots” - Jazz Times^[2] “ To my amazement, Toney’s magic tap dances gracefully from corner to corner of the almighty ivories” - Abyss Jazz Magazine^{[citation needed]}

Discography[link]

As Leader[link]

• Special K (1982)
• Lovescape (1994)
• Pastel Mood (1995)
• Extra Sensual Perception (1999)
• Satin Doll - Smooth Jazz Plays Duke Ellington (2000)
• Strut (2001)
• Sweet Spot (2003)
• 110 Degrees and Rising (2005)
• Retrospectives (2006)
• A Heart Of Gratitude aka A Grateful Heart (2008)
• New American Suite (2011)

With Blackbyrds[link]

• Blackbyrds (Fantasy, 1973)
• Flying Start (Fantasy, 1974)
• Cornbread, Earl and Me (Fantasy, 1975)
• City Life (Fantasy, 1976) (RIAA Gold LP)
• Unfinished Business (Fantasy, 1977) (RIAA Gold LP)
• Action (Fantasy, 1978) (RIAA Gold LP)
• Better Days (Fantasy, 1981)
• Happy Music (Concord, 2007)
• Lovebyrds (Concord, 2007)

With Various Artist[link]

• Bobbi Humphrey Live: Cookin' with Blue Note at Montreux — Bobbi Humphrey (Blue Note, 1973)
• Live at Montreux — Alphonse Mouzon (Blue Note, 1973)
• Live at Montreux — Marlena Shaw (Blue Note, 1973)
• Places and Spaces — Donald Byrd (Blue Note, 1976)
• Caricatures — Donald Byrd (Blue Note, 1977)
• "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" — Sylvester (Honey/Fantasy, 1979)
• Scratch My Back — David “Fathead” Newman (Fantasy, 1979)
• Sharon Redd — Sharon Redd (1980)
• You Can Call It What You Want — Bill Summers and Summers Heat (MCA, 1981)
• We Call It the Box — Bill Summers and Summers Heat (MCA, 1983)
• Soul Jazz — Rahmlee Michael Davis (1986)
• After Midnight — Ray Parker, Jr. (Arista, 1987)
• Piano in the Dark — Brenda Russell (A & M, 1987)
• Midnite Blue — Phil Upchurch (KICJ [import],1991)
• Joyful Noise — Chester Thompson (Rhino, 1992)
• Get the Feeling — Two Tons: Martha Wash/Azora Armstead (Fantasy, 1993)
• Unforgettable Sax — Hugh Brodie (1994)
• Duets — Paul Jackson, Jr. (Blue Note, 1996)
• Love Letters — Craig T. Cooper (Sin Drome, 1996)
• Street Sax — Chazzy Green (1999)
• Life Changes — Doc Powell (Sampson, 2001)
• Nu Life Stories — Dave McMurray (Hip Bop, 2003)
• The House Of Urban Grooves — Various artists (Peak, 2004)
• Def Jazz — Various artists (Verve, 2005)
• Full Circle — Andre Delano (7th Note, 2005)
• Live at the Funk Lounge — Val Watson (2005)
• I'm Free — Ray Parker, Jr. (Raydio Music, 2006)

As Producer[link]

• Send It On Down (WHHB Records 1985)
• Love In Motion - Jeannie Tatum (Uotahum 2000)
• C-Note - Reggie C (Liquid 8 2003)
• Back To You-Talia Long (TLR 2006)

Soundtracks

• Cornbread Earl and Me Fantasy 1975
• Armed and Dangerous Columbia 1986 (Michael Henderson)

With Andrew White[link]

1. Passion Flower AM-5 1973
2. Songs For A French Lady AM-6 1974
3. Theme AM-7 1975
4. Live At The Foolery (Vol I) AM-8 1975
5. Live At The Foolery (Vol II) AM-9 1975
6. Live At The Foolery (Vol III) AM-10 1975
7. Collage AM-14 1975
8. Marathon (Vol VI) AM-20 1976
9. Marathon (Vol VII) AM-21 1976
10. Marathon (Vol VIII) AM-22 1976
11. Marathon (Vol XI) AM-23 1976
12. Fonk Update AM-37 1979
13. I Love Japan AM-38 1979
14. Have Band Will Travel AM-39 1979

Awards and Achievements[link]

- Grammy Award Nomination Best Instrumental Song, Unfinished Business - The Blackbyrds, 1978

- Grammy Award Nomination Best R & B Song, Walking In Rhythm-The Blackbyrds, 1976

- RIAA Certified Gold Album “Action” - The Blackbyrds, 1978

- RIAA Certified Gold Album ”Unfinished Business”, The Blackbyrds 1977

- RIAA Certified Gold Album, “City Life” with The Blackbyrds, 1976

- NAACP Image Award Best Jazz Group - The Blackbyrds, 1977

- Billboard Magazine Award #1 Pop Instrumental Group - The Blackbyrds, 1976

- Record World Award #1 Jazz Group - The Blackbyrds, 1976

- National Endowment For The Arts Fellowship Grant for Jazz Composition and Performance, 1981

- Keys To the City” Awards Detroit, New Orleans, Los Angeles

- Madison Who’s Who In America 2008

- Service To The Community Honor Inglewood Unified School District Visual & Performing Arts Theatre, 2008

- Division Marshall 37th Annual Black History Parade - City Of San Bernardino, 2006

- Certificate Of Commendation College Bound Program, Los Angeles, CA 2001 & 2002

- Who’s Who In America 1984, 1992

References[link]

External links[link]

• www.kevintoney.com
• Kevin Toney at Allmusic