Booth and the Bad Angel was a music project based on the collaborative efforts of Tim Booth (lead singer with the British alternative rock band, James) and the American film composer, Angelo Badalamenti. Featuring Bernard Butler on guitar, the project's eponymous album was released in July 1996.
The collaboration between Booth and Badalamenti was initialized in 1992, when Booth made an appearance on the UK Channel 4 TV show Friday Night At The Dome, which aimed to actualize collaborations between contemporary musicians and their heroes. Booth expressed his desire to work with Badalamenti, and the show's producers put the two in touch. At the time Booth was busy recording and touring with James, so could not find the time to meet with Badalamenti, but the two kept in touch via transatlantic phone calls for over two years before finally meeting. In 1995 Booth announced he would be taking a break from James to work on an album with Badalamenti. Booth contacted Butler, recently departed from Suede to provide guitar work for the album, which was recorded through late 1995 to early 1996. The album was finally released in July 1996 and promoted by the single, "I Believe" which made number 25 in the UK Singles Chart.
Several live performances followed, and following completion of the live dates Butler invited Booth to form a new band with him, but Booth declined, having promised the other members of James that he would return to them following his break. Upon return to the UK, Booth and the Bad Angel featured on Later... with Jools Holland. In addition to Booth and Badalamenti, James were the backing band for this performance.