Archive for the minimal synth Category

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Tally-Oh!- Hit the Beast 7”

Posted in 1980s, italian, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk on October 31, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Last but not least, to complete our Halloween trifecta, it’s back to Italy for an uber-rare single from 1984.

Strangely enough, there are conflicting reports on this release. While the sleeve clearly says Tally-Ho!, many sources claim that the band’s name is, in fact, Tally-Oh! Not sure where the truth lies, but my guess is that someone made a typo on the album sleeve or around the net, or perhaps the band meant for it to be somewhat confusing. Perhaps someone can shed some light on this mystery?

Either way, you can expect some excellent, upbeat, synth and beat driven tunes here. A little jerky and bass-heavy for post-punk heads, but complete with those minimal grooves we all know and love. Definitely a must hear!

Tally-Oh!- Hit the Beast 7”
1. Hit the Beast
2. Transmission

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Schmaalhans Weltraum- Samovar 7” + Bonus Tracks

Posted in 1990s, 1991, minimal synth, Schmaalhans Weltraumm, synth, synthpop on October 31, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s something a little more club-oriented for you minimal synth fans out there. Included within is the complete discography of Swedish duo Schmaalhans Weltraum. Their entire discography consists of just four tracks- one 7”, one compilation appearance, and one loose track. Short blasts of synth perfection, IMO.

The 7” dates back to 1991, while the compilation (Faces and Images) also contains several EBM and synthpop gems in this vein. Soon after these releases, Schmaalhans Weltraumm became Blomma, who dropped two releases into the 1990s.

Here’s the info for these four killer tracks, which should feel right at home on any dancefloor:

Schmaalhans Weltraumm- Samovar 7”
1. Samovar
2. Dr. Läderbär

Bonus Tracks:
1. Montagne Du Boef (from Faces and Images Compilation, 1991)
2. Maschinenmann*

*download it here*

*Quick correction. This track is NOT Schmaalhans Weltraum, but by a Swiss synth band called simply Schmalhans. If you still want it- grab that here!

3 Comments »

Bendall’s Box- Nightmares 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, Bendall's Box, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk, uk on October 18, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Ok, I promise I’m done for today. Last, but not least, we have the highly coveted 7” from Bendall’s Box, from 1981. The band hailed from the UK and this is their only release, two tracks of quirky minimal synth. Jerky bass rhythms, but classic drum machine/synth tracks.

I’ve had this one kicking around for some time, but the b-side has always circulated at poor quality, with plenty of digital skips. Most unfortunate, as it’s the true standout on this release. I’d like to thank Iker of Morning Magazine for originally sending me a cleaned up version of the b-side, and also supreme thanks to Oystein for ripping the track from his own personal collection! A+, gentlemen! Here’s the details:

Bendall’s Box- Nightmares 7”
1. Nightmares
2. Games Today

*download it here*

EDIT 6.3.12:
Bendall’s Box has returned after 30 years with a brand new new single! The single drops Monday, June 9th. Check here for more info:

http://soundcloud.com/bendalls-box
http://bendallsbox.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bendalls-Box/225063627528071
https://twitter.com/bendallsbox

5 Comments »

Intro- 12” discography

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 4ad, fingerprintz, Intro, jackie brookes, jimmie o'neill, minimal synth, new wave, shox, synth, synthpop on October 18, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Up next we have two donated singles by UK-based synthpop project Intro, both released in 1983. While these two rips were donated by bx59cppw, I just recently found the first 12” kicking around for a mere $5, so this one should be easy enough to track down for those who would like to own it for themselves. Definitely an affordable piece of synthpop heaven!

Some of you may recognize the track “Haunted Cocktails” from the Return of Flexi-Pop series, so you can expect more of the same female fronted dance grooves on the rest of these tracks. Great production, catchy hooks, and all the works are on display here. As for the parties responsible, Jimmie O’Neill was involved as a producer with several projects, including Fingerprintz and The Silencers, while Jackie Brookes was part of the original 4AD lineup, providing vocals for the Shox 7” (one of my first uploads). She was also a member of Siam (a synthpop outfit reminiscent of Berlin) and released a solo LP in 1984, which features a few alternate mixes of these tracks.

This should definitely hit the spot for fans of U-BahnX, Kim Wilde, Moev, November Group, etc. Here’s the info:

Intro- Haunted Cocktails 12”
1. Haunted Cocktails
2. Haunted Cocktails (Haunted Mix)
3. Departures

Intro- Lost Without Your Love 12”
1. Lost Without Your Love
2. Lost Mix (Muzak Superior)
3. Epic

*download both here*

2 Comments »

Beograd- Remek Depo LP

Posted in 1980, 1980s, 1983, minimal, minimal synth, serbian on October 18, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s the entire discography for Beograd, a killer Serbian minimal synth project formed in 1981. Beginning as a four piece, the band would most often appear as a trio, who recorded the majority of the band’s output, including one 7” and one full length LP. Surprised I haven’t seen either of these posted through the usual channels, as each of these releases are essential, in my opinion.

The band didn’t stay together very long, splitting up in 1983. One of the members would then release a 12” with Haj’mo, which I’d love to hear if anyone has a copy kicking around. That all said, here’s both of the band’s releases, zipped up for yr enjoyment!

Beograd- Sanjaš Li U Boji? 7” (1981)*
1. Sanjaš Li U Boji?
2. T.V.

*My donated copy has the a-side and the b-side switched, with T.V. as the a-side. Hope you kids don’t mind too much…

Beograd- Remek Depo LP (1983)
1. Opasne Igre
2. Ulice Su Noćas
3. Ko Si
4. Japan (Made In East)
5. Mrak
6. Kontrolori
7. Modni Kroj
8. Soba
9. Beg

*download it here*

**March 2012: The TV 7” has recently been reissued by Anna Logue records, so I’ve just reuploaded the LP.

I have a few more posts lined up for the week, but a lot on the slate. Maybe I’ll toss another one or two up today to keep you all satiated for now! Either way, stay tuned for more goodies to come follow.

6 Comments »

Quadrascope- Baby Won’t Phone 7”

Posted in 1980s, 7'', france, minimal synth, new wave, Quadrascope, synth, synthpop on October 12, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Last but not least, thanks to a generous donation, we have a killer synthpop/minimal 7” from Quadrascope, an obscure French band. Not much to be said about this 1983 release, as there’s not a lot of information available, so the music will have to speak for itself. While the a-side is a catchy wave number in its own right, the b-side is truly the gem here. Those handclaps slay me every time! I’ll let you decide for yourselves:

Quadrascope- Baby Won’t Phone 7”
1. Baby Won’t Phone
2. Love Times Love

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Steven Grandell- Animal Angst LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, experimental, minimal, minimal synth, synth, US on October 12, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

You may have seen this one over at Mutant Sounds in the past, but here’s a rather clean and fresh rip of this classic minimal synth LP by Steven Grandell, self-releaed in 1984. A little more experimental than most minimal synth recordings, complete with jerky rhythms, strange instrumentation (violins, xylophones, etc.), and detached vocals, but still quite catchy in the end.

A few copies of the LP were once sale via Venus DeMars, but I do believe they’ve since sold out. Currently, the artist is releasing music as Venus DeMars and All the Pretty Horses, which you can check out here. Here’s the info for this LP:

Steven Grandell- Animal Angst LP
1. Burn My Eyes
2. There’s Got To Be Something
3. Confession Of An Innocent
4. Lead
5. Fear
6. Isn’t It Time
7. Flight At The End
8. Great Big Earth
9. I Am Human
10. Radio Sleep

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Krisma- Cathode Mamma/Nothing to Do With the Dog LPs

Posted in 1970s, 1980s, Chrisma, italian, Krisma, minimal synth, synth, synthpop, synthpunk on October 12, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

I have a pretty huge backlog of things I’ve been meaning to post, so I’m going to chip away at them over the next few days, so bear with me, folks! To kick things off, I’ve had several requests to post some more tracks by Chrisma/Krisma, so here’s my two favorite LPs from this Italian synthpop outfit. Contained within this zip file are 1980’s Cathode Mamma (the band’s debut after switching from a ‘Ch’ to a ‘K’) and 1983’s Nothing to Do With the Dog (aka Fido on some releases), their third LP. There are still three more out there, but these two should keep you satiated for now! Here’s the info:

Krisma- Cathode Mamma LP (1980)
1. Cathode Mamma (Neue Version)
2. Many Kisses
3. Peggy Guggenheim
4. Rrock
5. Rien Ne Va Plus
6. Cathode Mamma
7. Telegram
8. White Knife
9. Last Chance to See Man

Krisma- Nothing To Do With the Dog LP (1983)
1. Nothing To Do With the Dog
2. I’m Not In Love (10cc cover)
3. I Must Know Your Name
4. Girls Drumming
5. Eye to Eye
6. Boys Drumming
7. Carefully
8. Find a Friend
9. Heroes of the Sea
10. Everybody Drumming

*download both LPs here*

For your viewing pleasure, here’s the official video for “Nothing To Do With the Dog,” one of the band’s biggest singles and an international breakthrough at the time.

7 Comments »

Various Artists- Systems of Romance vol. 2

Posted in 1980s, coldwave, compilations, minimal, minimal synth, NDW, post-punk, systems of romance on October 5, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Ok, I lied- had a little extra time today to put the finishing touches on the second Systems of Romance compilation, so here it is as promised! Same as the first, this collection features several loose tracks I’ve had kicking around and have been enjoying for some time. These tracks generally comprise DJ sets of mine around here in NYC, but are also perfect for everyday enjoyment.

Since the first volume seems to be so popular (thanks for the kind words and comments, guys!), I may have enough tracks to make a third installment, so stay tuned for that in the near future. Without any further ado, here’s the breakdown for this compilation:

VA- Systems of Romance Vol. 2
1. At Night- Jus Dorange
2. We Make Love- Puppets of Mankind
3. Een Ding- Toni Valen
4. Man Must Klavier Spiele Konnen- Menrwert
5. Bozsky Klid- OK Band
6. Kianzu- Boda De Rubias
7. Exposure of My Senses- Gravity Pirates
8. No Surprise- VHF
9. Hold On You- Bert Barten
10. Heaven Is In You- Jamie Wild
11. Tree Soldiers- Twelfth Night
12. Hemispheres Divide- Tek Noir
13. Siguelo- Tiempo 555
14. Galaxy- Antimation
15. Ice- Seeing Red*
16. Harmony- Calvin Twilight
17. Teenage Iceage- Suzy Andrews**
18. Entrer Dans L’Amour- The Graphic
19. Do You Read Me- Alastair Riddell
20. Outcast- The Factory***

*download it here!*

*This track, and it’s moodier b-side, will soon appear on iTunes. Keep your eyes peeled for a proper digital file!
**The background melody should sound familiar.
***You can get this band’s 12” and 7” over at Pheonix Hairpins. Different rip here!

17 Comments »

Various Artists- Systems of Romance Vol. 1

Posted in 1980s, coldwave, compilations, minimal, minimal synth, NDW, post-punk, systems of romance on September 21, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve just finished whipping up few discs of obscure rarities for my DJ books, and partially inspired by Crispy Nuggets and his unstoppable series of loose tracks, I’ve decided to share these two with you. I’ll post one of these now and follow with the second sometime next week.

Here’s the tracklisting for this particular batch:

VA- Systems of Romance Vol. 1
1. Dream (For My Sake)- Bino
2. You’re Always Guilty- Vellum Stairs
3. Ein Traum- Dammerattacke
4. Seg Og Hor/Jenten Fra- Knut Skodvin
5. Paradoxe- Thierry Meyer
6. First Impressions- VHF
7. Tanz Ins Gluck- Die Neue Weltmacht
8. Bronson- Eirin Peryglus
9. All That Place- Excentrique Noiz
10. Secret Affair- Industrie
11. The Cops Are Coming- Karnage
12. Interferon- Phillipe Laurent
13. Mole At The Circus- Slim Bridges & the Wildfowlers
14. The Time of Your Life- This Perfect Day
15. Trading in Guilt- Vital Signs
16. Ond Mae’r Dawns Yn Mynd Ymlaen- Y Gwasgwyr
17. Tell Me When Your Heart Beats- New Scientists

*download it here!*

Quick disclaimer: These are all exclusive/donated rips in piecemeal form, though on second glance, there’s a little touch of overlap here. The entire Vital Signs and New Scientists records have been uploaded by none other than Crispy himself (different rips), while you can find out more about Eirin Peryglus by clicking here, and here respectively. Otherwise, hope there’s enough new faces to keep you kids occupied. Stay tuned for Vol. 2 to follow next week!

 

EDIT 4.2.13:  This Perfect Day has just released a CD containing “The Time of Your Life” and “The Garden” as well as 11 other exclusive tracks.  The CD, titled No Frills, Just Noise! is available via the band’s facebook page!

29 Comments »

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