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Archive for the 1980s Category

Language From Memory- Fortune 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, language from memory, minimal synth, nick head, post-punk, uk on May 3, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

England was ripe with excellent DIY post-punk and minimal synth gems, bands inspired by Factory Records, early Cure singles, etc. Some of my favorite 7”s (Obscure By Degrees, Persons Unknown etc.) were birthed from this era with the same aesthetic. So with that in mind, here’s another obscure gem from Towerbell Records, released in 1981. This is the one and only single from Language From Memory, who disappeared into the ether soon after recording this 7”. It’s a shame, as the a-side here truly kicks ass, one of the best undiscovered gems I’ve stumbled upon in recent times. Incisive guitars, Sad Lovers and Giants-esque string synths, and catchy, fist-pumping hooks abound. Power pop lovers will also enjoy the flip.

The band were from northern London, and played out quite often in the early 80s. As for their disappearance, I believe they changed names and continued on together. A fan who knew the band back then states that Nick Head played rhythm guitar on this single. The name may be familiar to some, as he also acted as producer/engineer for KMFDM and Exit 13.

This single is also proof that not all obscurities are out of budget, as there are tons of copies out there to be had for relatively cheap, even by discogs standards. Towerbell seemed to have some backing behind it, and a decently stacked roster, which was formed out of the disco era and included Shirley Bassey and Justin Hayward (Moody Blues) as well as a series of popular TV series compilations. I haven’t heard of much else from the label, so perhaps this single is an anomaly, but either way, aspiring collectors should have no problem finding a copy for themselves…

Language From Memory- Fortune 7”
1. Fortune
2. The Coat

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Mickeranno- Mickeranno LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, experimental, italian, mickeranno, post-punk on April 30, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s another LP on donation from Ondanera, deep from the heart of Italy. This LP is the lone release from Mickeranno, an artist from Catania, a town in Sicily (Sicilian pride!). As I understand it, Jacopo Leone was the primary musician for this release, with a few collaborators providing drums, trumpet, and other touches. Recorded in Northern Italy in the Emilia Romagna region, the album didn’t break out past its native country when it was released in 1985, so hopefully it can find new life here.

Fans of bands like Felt, Dif Juz, or the Durutti Column will love this one, as it’s a quiet, understated affair, with subtle electronic/dark synth flourishes against a mostly acoustic backdrop. A really haunting record from a very humble and quiet area in Italy. The standout track is easily the gloomy “Da Un’altra Parte” (From Another Part) but this a really interesting listen, front to back. Hope you enjoy it!

Mickeranno- Mickeranno LP
1. Decisioni
2. Solo Voci
3. Boh
4. Dai Vetri
5. D.D.
6. E Per Un Paio Di Giorni
7. Uscirò Ogni Sera
8. Fotocopiandoti
9. Nel Buio
10. Da Un’Altra Parte
11. Che Si Tratti Di Me?
12. Boh (Versione 2)

*download it here*

PS- I removed the link for La Valse for now… I’m expecting a copy of the 7” in the mail. Once it arrives, I’ll make a new rip and let you all know so you can update your digital files. Hang tight, and thanks as always for the support.

9 Comments »

La Valse- Winter 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, coldwave, Dutch, la valse, netherlands on April 22, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

Incredibly rare 7” from the Netherlands here that I’ve seen on several wantlists over the years. Due time for this gem to be heard! No year attached to this one, and despite the label (No Records), it may be a private pressing. If I had to guess, it has an early 80s feel to it- perhaps 1981-4 due to the prominent use of the TR606 (EDIT: according to a magazine listing, this was released in 1984). The band were from Breda and this is their only release, perfect for fans of that cold guitar sound with both male and female vocals on the a-side. Minimal synth fans should also enjoy this one, as the flip features some trademark synth and drum machine work. You can also find “Sorrow” on one of the None Night of Flexipop compilations…

Either way, both tracks here are great, gloomy affairs that should feel at home for fans of The Names/Factory Records.

Thanks to Stéphane for clueing me into and sending me the original rip of this lost classic!

La Valse- Winter 7”
1. Winter
2. Sorrow

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED at 320 kbps 5.5.13)

10 Comments »

Gulf Klub- What’s Cooking 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, australia, australian, gulf klub, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk on April 19, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

Just realised it’s been a while since my last post. Sorry, guys! I have quite a few things on the plate, including a rare French coldwave 7” and a few more Italian goodies that I’ve been meaning to get to, but here’s something I’ve had uploaded for a while to whet your appetite until I can get that stuff all organized properly for you.

This is a one-off 7” from Australia, released in 1984 via Vi-Nil Records. Despite being distributed by EMI, this one didn’t get a lot of attention when it came out. Not much about them on the net, but Geoffrey Stapleton was also involved with The Aliens, GANGgajang, and more.

Personally I don’t care much for the a-side (but of course, that’s just my own taste), but the flip is a great piece of Middle Eastern inspired minimal synth. While the geography is all wrong here, the sound still feels right at home for fans of Minimal Compact, Beograd, Max & Intro, etc. A short little piece of synth perfection that I hope you all enjoy!

Gulf Klub- What’s Cooking 7”
1. What’s Cooking
2. India

*download it here*

More soon, stay tuned!

3 Comments »

Pro Memoria- 1988 K7

Posted in 1980s, 1988, coldwave, ethereal, france, french, k7, lost desert, spleen ideal with tags lyon, pro memoria on March 29, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

Apologies for flooding your hard drives yet again, but I’ve been meaning to post this tape for months now, and it’s due time for it to be heard. Here we have the debut demo cassette from Pro Memoria, a haunting and gloomy French Coldwave band from Lyon, one of the country’s hotspots for this sound. The cassette was self-released in 1988, and features three incredible studio tracks and one live number to top it off. Fans of Cocteau Twins, Lost Desert, Rosa Luxemburg, Baroque Bordello, Collection D’Arnell-Andrea, etc. will love this one.

There are a handful of scattered compilation appearances around the same era as this release, including two tracks on the often mentioned Nos Années Folles compilation (Lost Desert, Spleen Ideal, etc.) The band changed their sound a bit to incorporate some jazz influences, releasing Elegia in 1991. You can grab that one from 7” From the Underground. “Cinderella” from this cassette has been cleaned up and reissued on the excellent Transmissions Continued compilation on Infrastition.

Pro Memoria- 1988 K7
1. Cindirella
2. Le Cri
3. Secret Du Prisme
4. Pro Memoria (Live Lyon, Mars 88)

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Harumi Shimada- Yakō Shōnen 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, after the sludge, harumi shimada, japan, japanese, masahiro sugawara, minimal, minimal synth, new wave on March 27, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

Another quick and dirty post here, an excellent 7” from Japan, released in 1984 via Forecast Records. According to the discogs entry, this 7” was written by Masahiro Sugawara, who was also involved in After the Sludge. Harumi was just one of six people who performed on this 7”, which features an excellent mid-tempo minimal synth track. The B-side appears to be a bizarre dub version of the track which weaves in and out of coherence and descends into chaos over the course of 5 minutes. Safe to assume that the B-side is the English translation of Yakō Shōnen.

I have plenty of excellent coldwave on the back burner, but it’s been a long time since we’ve had a bona fide minimal synth rarity, so have at it!

Harumi Shimada- Yakō Shōnen 7”
1. Yakō Shōnen
2. Midnight Boy

*download it here*

4 Comments »

Pavillon 7B- Pavillon 7B LP

Posted in 1980s, 1987, coldwave, france, french, goth, pavillon 7b on March 19, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

A real quick and dirty post here for today- simply because I’ve had little time this week, have had this in the queue for many months, and almost forgot to post it… Here we have an updated copy of the s/t Pavillon 7B LP from 1987, lovingly re-ripped by the one and only BX. A true coldwave classic from Dijon, a small town in the east of France, featuring dark and passionate female vocals and thin, mad-carnival synth lines . One of my favorite LPs, by far- one that seems to get better with each listen. The band also released several cassettes, appeared on many compilations, and issued a collection on Minimal Wave in 2007 which collected many of the band’s earliest works. ‘Black Generation’ was also featured prominently on several compilations, including the excellent Transmission compilation from Infrastition, which I’m sure you’ve all heard by now…

Even if you’re already familiar with this one- you’re in for a treat!

Pavillon 7B- Pavillon 7B LP
1. Black Generation
2. Wish
3. Sensation
4. The Sailor
5. Les Nouveaux Abris
6. Sphere
7. +
8. Love Loser
9. Somebody

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Opera Multi Steel- Regret Qui S’Ecaille K7

Posted in 1980s, 1987, coldwave, french, minimal, minimal synth, opera multi steel on February 24, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

While Opera Multi Steel are one of my favorite bands, I’ve never had the chance to feature them here, as most of their material has been reissued or posted elsewhere. However, I realized this particular cassette in 1987 hasn’t been ripped in the past, and aside from two tracks, does not appear on the otherwise excellent K7 Archives collection issued by Vinyl on Demand in 2008.

For those unfamiliar with Opera Multi Steel, the band was founded in 1983 in Bourges, France. Brothers Franck and Patrick Lopez joined Catherine Marie for their first 12” and debut LP, both essentials in the French coldwave/minimal synth scene. They were one of the more prolific bands of the genre, and have released top shelf music constantly without splitting up or reuniting. Two further members would join the band in 1987 and 1988 respectively, just after this tape was released. You can read a more detailed biography here.

Opera Multi Steel ‎– Regret Qui S’Ecaille K7
1. Regret Qui S’Ecaille
2. General Hospital
3. Désir Plaisir Après Tristesse
4. Lady Du Sentier De Loosy
5. Messager Monotone
6. Poisson D’Argent
7. Mon Permis De Conduire
8. Mawata

*download it here*

2 Comments »

A Love Sound- I Need 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, a love sound, Contempo Records, italian, minimal, minimal synth, synth on February 12, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

Incredible Italian minimal synth from 1984, released on the always excellent Contempo Records (Death In Venice, Venus In Furs, Diaframma, Voices, as well as various 4AD distro in Italy).

Tracks 1 and 3 are the standouts for me here, the first being a club friendly slice of synth perfection, and “The Kind” being the epic masterpiece on this 12”, complete with an arpeggiated 808 solo, the first I’ve heard in this style for sure. The other two tracks toss in some acoustic guitar with the electronics, and while they’re not as strong overall, they do a fine job of rounding out this excellent 12”. While it’s not a musical touchstone, the singer reminds me a bit of Peter Murphy at times- less so the deep croon and more snide and biting. Seems like the band was very into the synth scene at the time, and listed all the gear used to make the record on the back sleeve. Some very iconic gear there!

A Love Sound- I Need 12”
1. I Need
2. Sickness
3. The Kind
4. Pale Jade Eyes

*download it here*

If you dug this one, stay tuned for a few Italian donations over the next few weeks!

5 Comments »

Fauli- Jugend Unsinn K7

Posted in 1980s, 1982, Daily Fauli, denmark, experimental, minimal, minimal synth, Søren Fauli on February 5, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

Good news for fans of Daily Fauli’s scarce Fauli Til Dauli LP, previously posted in 2009. Word on the street is that the long sought after LP will receive the reissue treatment via Minimal Wave, due out later this year. Even better news, today’s post is related, and features Søren Fauli’s first cassette release, a generous donation from a reader that left me stunned, as I had no idea there was another release, let alone one that predates the LP by a year!

11 tracks of unabashed minimal synth with a slightly punk edge- a tape that should please fans of the rare, DIY aesthetic. The cassette sleeve doesn’t come with a tracklisting, though I’m told the first track goes by the name “Slow.” If anyone knows the proper names for these tracks, feel free to chime in here. Otherwise, enjoy this immensely rare piece of Danish minimal synth, and stay tuned for that reissue!

Fauli- Jugend Unsinn K7
A1-6
B1-5

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Archive for the 1980s Category

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