Archive for May, 2010

Klein & M.B.O.- First LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, american, chicago house, house, italian, italo disco, Klein and M.B.O., minimal synth on May 21, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Second on the slab is this fantastic LP from Klein & M.B.O. It’s a little more disco-tinged than what I usually post around these parts, but there’s still some great minimal synth grooves kicking around here, combined with some classic italo production. As it stands, the project was not only successful in its native land, it also inspired the budding Chicago house movement.

The project was conceived by Tony Carrasco (USA) and Mario Boncaldo (Italy), two standout musicians in the disco scene. Vocals were performed by Italian jazz singer Roosanna Casal and a US singer named Naimy Hackett, while Davide Piatto lent a hand with some of the arrangements.

Despite the misleading title, this isn’t the band’s first release. However, it contains nearly all of the tracks released on various 12” singles, including the vocal version of “Dirty Talk” from 1982, their most famous track. In fact, it seems as if this release is simply a reissue of De-Ja-Vu, released a year prior on another label. I haven’t heard this LP, so I can’t be sure if the mixes are exactly the same, but my guess is that this LP is a clever reissue, released to capture the project’s growing influence in the US.

With that in mind, here’s the breakdown:

Klein & M.B.O.- First LP
1. The Big Apple
2. The MBO Theme
3. Wonderful
4. Dirty Talk
5. De-Ja-Vu
6. I Love You

*download it here*

10 Comments »

Nightmoves- Transdance 12” & Remixes

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1984, dance, darkwave, minimal synth, Night Moves, Nightmoves, remixes, synthpop, uk on May 21, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Going to be stepping away from the blog for a week, so I plan to leave you all with not one, but TWO stellar releases of the dancier, club-oriented variety. First on the slab, I’ve uploaded several different issues of Nightmoves’ (a.k.a. Night Moves) classic “Transdance”- a killer darkwave dance track that many should recognize. Unfortunately, this song never received the credit it was due, but is easily one of the best tracks of the ’80s. I’ve attached several different versions of the track, one under the guise of the reissued 1984 12” Robot Rock release (including a handful of alternate tracks) and a remixes 12”, which might just be a fan-made collection of mixes. If you’re not completely sick of the song by the time you’re through listening, I’ve also included the significantly shorter edit of the song, plucked from the 7” and included on the None Night of Flexipop Vol. 4 comp.

The UK-based project formed in the wake of Gary Numan’s chart breakthrough in 1979, when vocalist Michael Guihen placed an ad in NME looking for synth players. The original three piece lineup (known then as Oblong Mauve) folded after a few practice sessions, leaving Michael to form a new band. He struck an interesting partnership in 1980, meeting and developing tracks with Denis Haines, Gary Numan’s keyboard player. In exchange for providing the backing track for Numan’ “Love Needs No Disguise,” Michael received help in developing “Transdance,” the standout track from the original lineup’s demos. It was recorded in 1981, and since then, has seen several different versions as lineups changed and technology improved. The infamous UK mix even featured backing vocals from Eve Goddard, Adam Ant’s wife. The band eventually called it a day in 1984, as public tastes shifted dramatically.

Of course, this is only part of the Nightmoves story. The rest is viewable (along with some amazing photos) on the band’s official Myspace page, so click for the full story and some additional visuals. Without any further ado, here’s the info for this zip.

Nightmoves- Transdance 12” (1984)
1. Transdance (UK Club Mix)
2. Transdance (New York Disco Mix)*
3. You Can Take My Love
4. Beat This
5. Nightdrive

Nightmoves- Transdance Mixes 12”
1. Transdance (Edit)
2. Transdance (NYC Mix)
3. Transdance (UK Mix) –> same as UK Club Mix
4. Transdance
5. Transdance
6. Transdance (Remix)

bonus track- Transdance (7” Version)
*not on original 12”.

*download the lot here*

18 Comments »

The Puppets- The Way of Life 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, dance, disco, long island, nyc, synthpop, The Puppets on May 18, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a pretty killer dance/disco 12”, released in 1983. The Puppets were a New York/Long Island based dance group, who earned quite a bit of airplay from their lone 12” single. The 12” was released on Quality Records, a Canadian label, and came with generic brown sleeve. You can still find this one kicking around certain record stores if you have the patience to sift through coverless singles. Worth the time!

Rumor has it that The Puppets disbanded while recording a follow up full-length. Would love to hear any unreleased material!

Here’s the breakdown for the single:

The Puppets- The Way of Life 12”
1. The Way of Life (Dance Mix)
2. The Way of Life (Vocal)
3. The Way of Life (Instrumental)

*download it here* (re-ripped 4.15.17)

16 Comments »

Dave Ball- Rare Tempo 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, Dave Ball, Genesis P-Orridge, new wave, soft cell, synth, synthpop, uk on May 17, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

This one comes as a generous donation, and supplements Dave Ball’s full length LP, which you can nab over at Mutant Sounds.

For those unfamiliar, Dave Ball was most famous as the second half of Soft Cell, but also was a member of The Grid as well as an esteemed producer. Though Soft Cell didn’t split until 1984, Ball released a solo record and a string of 12” singles in 1983, collaborating with the likes of Gavin Friday (Virgin Prunes) and Genesis P-Orridge (Psychic TV, Throbbing Gristle, etc.). In fact, this particular 12” features each of the three collaborative tracks, with Friday on the first and P-Orridge on the remaining two. The version of “Man In the Man” on this 12” is slightly different from the LP version (mostly clipping ten seconds of strange sounds at the beginning), but it looks like the other two songs are identical to their album counterparts, but might be a bit cleaner and crisper than the album provided above. Either way, it’s a nice additional nugget to any self-respecting synth collection! Here’s the information:

Dave Ball- Rare Tempo 12”
1. Strict Tempo
2. Man in the Man
3. Sincerity

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Abecedarians- Smiling Monarchs 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, abecedarians, coldwave, factory, LA, los angeles, post-punk on May 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Apologies for the overwhelming amount of posts today- feeling a bit productive, I suppose. Here’s the 1985 debut 12” by Los Angeles’ Abecedarians, one of the only American releases on Factory. Of course, the band would sign to Caroline to release the bulk of their material. You can nab the band’s posthumous early recordings collection here on these back pages, where you can read a bit more about the band as well. Without any further ado, here’s the info for this 12”:

Abecedarians- Smiling Monarchs 12”
1. Smiling Monarchs
2. Benway’s Carnival

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED*

This 12” has just been reissued as part of Pylon’s 2xLP & CD reissue of Eureka.  Pick it up!

1 Comment »

Fallout Club- Wonderlust 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, Fallout Club, Glenn Matlock, minimal synth, new wave, synthpop, Thomas Dolby, Thompson Twins on May 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

This particular minimal synth/new wave 12”, released in 1981, is a DJ staple of mine. Fallout Club were a short lived British band, who released just three 12” singles before splitting up.

After parting ways, most of the band went on to achieve success with other projects. Bassist Matthew Seligman joined the Thompson Twins, drummer Paul Simon paired up with former Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock, while keyboardist Thomas Dolby, who I presume needs no introduction, went on to have a commercially successful solo career. Unfortunately, vocalist Trevor Helion passed away in 1988, five years after the release of his solo record. However, the legacy of this 12” lives on. Aside from serving as a springboard for future pop acts, the a-side was featured on both the New Wave Complex and Tribute to Some Bizzare series, which collect dozens of obscure singles.

Fallout Club- Wonderlust 12”
1. Wonderlust
2. Desert Song

*download it here*

I haven’t heard the remaining Fallout Club releases, but I hope to track them down soon. If anyone has them kicking around, feel free to chime in!

8 Comments »

Heavenly Bodies- Rains On Me 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, coldwave, Dead Can Dance, ethereal, heavenly bodies, Robin Guthrie, spk, synth, synthpop on May 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Just picked up a couple of copies of this killer dance/synth classic. Big beats, ethereal vocals, and a swirling chorus comprise this track, which appears in both remixed and edited form alongside an exclusive instrumental b-side.

Members of Heavenly Bodies were involved in several more established acts throughout the 1980s, including Dead Can Dance, Jesus and Mary Chain, and SPK. Cocteau Twins comparisons are also valid, considering Robin Guthrie recorded both versions of the title track. This 12” appeared on C’Est La Mort in 1988, just after the band issued a full length debut. You can nab the full length record here at Totally Wired. Otherwise, here’s the info for this 12”.

Heavenly Bodies- Rains On Me 12”
1. Rains On Me (Extended Mix)
2. Rains On Me (Short Mix)
3. Pure & Simple

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 10.9.17)

3 Comments »

Voices- Memories’ Floor 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, coldwave, Contempo Records, italian, post-punk, Voices on May 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a 4 track EP from Italian post-punk band Voices, released in 1985. As far as I can tell, this is their only release, but bands such as Neon, Pankow, and DIaframma also appeared on Contempo Records. Contempo also served as distribution for 4AD bands such as Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance.

As for this EP, the first track is as dark as they come, while the others range from driving post-punk to sombre piano dirges. Definitely for fans of the dark Italian sound. Here’s the information:

Voices- Memories’ Floor 12”
1. Marble
2. Eucharistic Death
3. L’Idee Du Bien
4. Hands On My Soul

*download it here* *updated 6.5.12- new rip by bx59cppw!*

6 Comments »

Zshare restored

Posted in Uncategorized on May 7, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

As far as I can tell, zshare is back up and running. Happy downloading! Expect some new treats next week!

EDIT: site seems to be going up and down all day. Hopefully they sort the problem out soon. In the meantime, please be patient!

2 Comments »

Flue- Some-times in Arabia 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1987, Dutch, Flue, Mecano, netherlands, new wave, post-punk, synth on May 5, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s the final 12” from Dutch synth band Flue, released in 1987. The fantastic Phoenix Hairpins blog features the band’s two full-length LPs, so with the exception of any bonus tracks issued on the One and a Half CD reissue, this should complete their discography. You can get their debut LP here, and their second LP here.

For those unfamiliar with the Flue story, the band was one of the flagship artists on the Torso label, who issued several key LPs from The Cult, Sonic Youth, and The Residents. Several more obscure synth/wave acts such as Mekanik Kommando and Mecano also found their way on to the label. In fact, Flue guitarist Cor Bolten was active in Mecano before joining the band after the release of their 1981 debut. The band’s second LP, Vista was recorded with an entirely new lineup.

It would be another four years before the band released their final single, 1987’s Some-Times in Arabia, which featured two versions of the title track and one exclusive b-side. Here’s the information for the single:

Flue- Some-Times In Arabia 12”
1. Some-Times (In Arabia) (New Version)
2. Some-Times (In Arabia) (Single Version)
3. Legacy

*download it here*

8 Comments »