In 1983, Gartside provided guest vocals on Eurythmics's cover version of the Sam & Dave song "Wrap It Up" from their second studio album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).

As Scritti Politti, Gartside and New Yorkers keyboardist David Gamson and drummer Fred Maher released the band's second studio album Cupid & Psyche 85 in June 1985.

[11] In the early to mid-1990s, Gartside lived alone in a secluded cottage in Usk, Monmouthshire, spending his time listening to hip hop, playing darts and drinking beer at his local pub The Nags Head Inn.

[13] In 2012, Gartside, who has suffered from recurring stage fright that prevented Scritti Politti from touring for many years, performed several songs by folk rock singer Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention as part of a tribute called The Lady in several UK cities.

[14][15] Gartside has also worked with Miles Davis,[16] Chaka Khan,[17] Eurythmics, Elvis Costello,[18] Shabba Ranks, Mos Def,[19] Meshell Ndegeocello,[20] Kylie Minogue,[21] Robyn Hitchcock,[22] Manic Street Preachers,[23] Tracey Thorn,[24] and Robert Wyatt (on Songs to Remember).

In 2020, Gartside released a solo single on Rough Trade Records, which featured cover versions of "Tangled Man" and "Wishing Well"[25] by folk singer Anne Briggs.