Archive for the minimal synth Category

Fiction Technology- Mega/Phase EP

Posted in 1980s, 1986, Fiction Technology, minimal synth on October 7, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

A friend of mine was recently requesting more from Fiction Technology, so I’ve uploaded their entire EP for everyone’s listening pleasure. Little is known about this particular minimal synth band, as this is their only release. No band credits, no info outside of its German label release in 1986. Coincidentally, it’s the same label who released the coveted Nine Circles disc, another coveted slice of minimal synth, but that’s all we’ve got. A shame, seeing as “In the City” is a perfect dance floor gem.

Does anyone out there in the ether have any more light to shed on this particular band or release? Feel free to drop a line. Otherwise, on to the music!

Fiction Technology- Mega/Phase EP
1. Time In Vision
2. Delta X
3. Mega / Phase
4. In The City
5. Dancing Puppets

*download it here*

Ohama- I Fear What I Might Hear LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, canadian, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, Ohama on August 25, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post features the 1984 debut LP from Ohama, essentially a one man minimal wave project helmed by Canadian musician Tona W. Ohama, with occasional lyrical contributions by Johannes Halbertsma.

Over the course of three years, Ohama released two LPs and three singles. All of these releases (and more, including the 1986 Ohama Meets Dania LP) have been collected in an impressive 9xCD boxset, which may very well still be available by contact with Minimal Wave’s site. Should you dig this release, and should it still be available, I encourage you folks to snap up a copy of the set posthaste! Otherwise, here’s the info for the record.

Ohama- I Fear What I Might Hear LP
1. Of Whales
2. Sometimes
3. Feelings
4. Midnite News IV
5. Where Do You Call Home?
6. Midnite News II
7. Body Of Vagrant Waves
8. Part In Peace

*download it here*

Amin-Peck- Complete(?) Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 1983, 1984, amin-peck, italian, italo disco, minimal synth, synthpop on August 20, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop
After the latest Sequins and Spandex debacle, and failing to track down a skipless version of “My Frames” on my own (many thanks to Veronica once more for fixing up a proper version), I’ve decided to compile each of the Amin-Peck singles together for any interested parties.

Like most ’80s electronic bands, Amin-Peck walked a fine line between italo disco and minimal wave throughout the course of the early 1980s, oftentimes incorporating shameless pop melodies and avant-garde leanings. The band was primarily a three piece (gaining vocalist Giorgio Fiorini to contribute vocals on their final 1984 12”).

As there’s no official bio kicking around the net, let’s allow the music to speak for itself, shall we? Here’s all the proper info:

Amin-Peck- Girls On Me 12” (1982)
1. Girls On Me
2. Anxiety
3. Coda

Amin-Peck- Love Disgrace 7” (1982)
1. Love Disgrace
2. Singing In The Wind

Amin-Peck- Suicidal 12”(1983)
1. Suicidal (Disco Version)
2. Suicidal (Instrumental Version)

Amin-Peck- Running Straight 12” (1984)
1. Running Straight
2. My Frames

*download all four here*

According to a few record collector sites, there are various dub and instrumental remixes of a few of these tracks kicking around, but I am unable to track anything concrete down. Should any of you out there have these rare and elusive remixes, feel free to send them my way and I’ll happily post a follow-up. Otherwise, enjoy!

Turning Shrines- Face of Another 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, boston, experimental, minimal synth, new wave, psychic tv, synthpop, turning shrines on August 6, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Phew, sorry for the delay folks. Life’s been a whirlwind.

To make up for my absence, I’ve since acquired and ripped the first Turning Shrines 12” record, released in 1985 on Psychic TV’s Temple Records. These four tracks are a bit more catchy than the full length EP I posted a few entries back, but are no less enjoyable, through and through. Click here for the release and more info on Turning Shrines, but otherwise, here’s the scoop on this particular gem.

Turning Shrines- Face of Another 12”
1. Face Of Another
2. 1/4 Circle Black
3. Dirt Test
4. Waking Up In The Dirt

*download link removed by request*

Various Artists- Offering of Isca LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, Circuit 7, minimal synth, post-punk, Prowler, Renegade Angel, The Outfit, V.o.K. on July 24, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Not just one, but two recent requests up for your listening pleasure for the weekend. This first post contains the elusive Offering of Isca compilation, which was produced by Circuit 7 member Martyn Good and released in 1985. The Circuit 7 tracks are repeated, but the compilation also features rare tracks from V.o.K., The Outfit, Prowler, and Renegade Angel, most of which are more guitar driven post-punk outfits. Most (if not all) of these tracks encompass the band’s entire discography, to boot.

The compilation was a limited pressing to begin with, and most unsold copies were either destroyed or forgotten, so a hard copy of this one is extremely rare. If you’re loaded, there’s even one on sale on discogs for 450 beans right this second. Meanwhile, us poor souls can nab the digital compilation by clicking below:

Various Artists- Offering of Isca LP
1. Circuit 7- India
2. Renegade Angel- Hell’s Let Loose
3. The Outfit- Reckless
4. V.o.K.- Lonely Boys, Lonely Girls
5. Prowler- Murder & Revenge
6. Renegade Angel- Classic Offender
7. Prowler- Sanctuary
8. Circuit 7- Beat Tonight
9. The Outfit- Stealing With The Boys
10. V.o.K.- Nukes Of Terra

*download it here*

Enjoy, ladies and gents, and stay tuned later this evening/early tomorrow for a rare Outer Circle 12”!

Circuit 7- Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1985, minimal, minimal synth, uk on July 22, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

UK’s Circuit 7 is a 2-piece minimal synth collective who recorded only six tracks throughout their short tenure. Can’t seem to find a slew of other information about the band, but the two members were Martyn Good and Andy Partington, and this seems to be their only musical venture. Sleeve scans show additional organic contributions from various folks, but no songwriting or official member status credits.

The zip below contains all six of Circuit 7’s tracks, including two 7” records (one on blue and one on red vinyl!) and two tracks from the Offering of Isca compilation, produced by Martyn Good and released on Micro Records in 1985. Without any further delay, here’s the information.

Circuit 7- Modern Story 7” (1984)
1. Modern Story
2. Eastern Dream

Circuit 7- Video Boys 7” (1984)
1. Video Boys
2. The Force

Offering Of Isca compilation (1985)
1. India
8. Beat Tonight

*download link removed*

EDIT: Good news for fans of the Circuit 7 material, as Minimal Wave is planning a CD/LP release of all of these tracks (and more) in the near future! So for those who wish to support both a fantastic label and the original artist, stay tuned to this space, as I’ll replace the download link with a purchase link when the LP goes live!

PURCHASE THE CIRCUIT 7 REISSUE LP HERE!!!

On a related note, I’ve included “Video Boys” within my latest mix-making venture. Due to the nudging of a few readers, I’ve created an 8tracks account to upload songs and mixes for friends and readers. I’ve made a twenty-one track long minimal wave mix with a dash of italo and coldwave for good measure. A few of these tracks should be familiar to Systems of Romance regulars, some are favorites, and some may appear here in the future, if demand is high and there isn’t any overlap. Anyway, click HERE to give the mix a spin, and enjoy! I’ll be making more of these as time progresses, and will be sure to update when the next one is live.

Xeno and Oaklander’s "Freak Scene" mix

Posted in coldwave, led er est, minimal, minimal synth, sleep museum, wierd records, xeno and oaklander on July 21, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Just two years ago, I kicked off Systems of Romance in a more track-oriented/review format. My second post was on Wierd Records artists Xeno and Oaklander, consisting of the musical talents of both Sean McBride (Martial Canterel) and Liz Wendelbo (Xeno and Staccato). The band, a personal favorite on the roster, is gearing up to release their first official LP sometime this year, and have been performing heavily in the New York area, much to my great enjoyment.

Over the past few months, it seems as if both Wierd Records and Xeno and Oaklander’s following has grown exponentially. The label has been featured in several prominent magazines and blogs as of late, and The Fader has just published a post featuring a fantatic “mixtape” as plucked by Xeno and Oaklander. The mix features several obscure minimal wave cuts alongside Wierd Records favorites (including a new track from Led Er Est and an untitled number from Sleep Museum).

A proper post will follow this one momentarily, but in the meanwhile, please divert your attention **HERE** to read more on Xeno and Oaklander and to download these great minimal synth mp3s. To further entice you, here’s a list of their selections:

Cleaners from Venus- “This Rainy Decade”
Jon St. James- “Trans-Atlantic”
Epee Du Bois- “Misery”
Lister- “The Boogabe”
Ann Summer- “Ann Summer III”
Xeno and Oaklander- “Celeste”
Twilight Ritual- “Somewhere in My Heart”
Resistance- “The Gash”
Led Er Est- “Unkept Area”
Nagamatzu- “Magic”
Automelodi- “Schema Corporel”
Sleep Museum- “Unknown Song”
Glenn Winter- “Herrens Svar”
Martial Canterel- “Shrapnelle”
Staccato Du Mal- “Addiction”
Magic de Spell- “And the Burned Puppet”

Again, click here for the good stuff.

Weimar Gesang- THE REST!

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 1987, darkwave, italian, minimal synth, Weimar Gesang on July 13, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

After some insight on some rare and otherwise unreleased Weimar Gesang material, I am pleased to offer the last of their uncovered gems, once and for all! Thanks a ton to all who have uploaded some of the harder-to-find material and offered extra information on the band.

Included in the zip file below are three releases. The first two are respective sides of a 1983 demo cassette, the A-side being early demos of familiar tracks and the B-side featuring a rare live set from the band’s early incarnation, recorded in October of 1983. This release predates the previously uploaded Our Silent Growth cassette. The third and final release attached is a 1987 rough mix of what was to be the fourth WG record, never officially released and given to the band’s closest friends just before they split up. Very rare materials, all three, and thanks to allelimo for encoding them!

Otherwise, here’s the nitty gritty:

Weimar Gesang- Demo 1983 (Cassette side A)
1. Frail Moments
2. Along The Walls
3. Locked In My Castle
4. Refusing
5. Show Me
6. Motionless Dance
7. Incomprehension

Weimar Gesang- Live 1983 (Cassette side B)
1. Motionless Dance
2. Refusing
3. Locked In My Castle
4. Torn Souls
5. One Sweet Night

Weimar Gesang- It is a Crime
1. It is a Crime
2. Place to Be (Nick Drake cover)

*download them here*

Thanks again to all who have contributed to the Weimer Gesang posts! Should you have missed them, their remaining discography can be downloaded from these back pages by clicking here and here.

Days of Sorrow- 12” Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1986, days of sorrow, german, minimal synth, post-punk on July 3, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

To celebrate our upcoming independence day, well…here’s something straight from the heart of Germany. In short, this is the complete discography of minimal synth/post-punk band Days of Sorrow.

According to sleeve information, the band featured a four piece lineup for their first 12”, changing drummers and expanding to a five piece for the second, which followed two years later. Not much else is known about the band outside of their origins, and their records fetch incredibly impressive prices, so let’s get straight to the nitty gritty, shall we? Here’s the information for their two 12” releases, zipped up for your minimal electronic pleasure.

Days of Sorrow- Remembering the Days 12” (1984, Tollhaus Records)
1. Wild World
2. War
3. Travel
4. Don’t Leave Me Drowning

Days of Sorrow- A Thousand Faces 12” (1986, Rough Trade Germany)
1. Wild World
2. A Thousand Faces (Night-Time)
3. Mysterious Eyes

*download link removed- pick up a reissue of both of these 12”s via Dead Wax Records!

There also exists a 1986-released 7” for Wild World, but I’m gathering it’s simply the A Thousand Faces recordings of both “Wild World” and “Mysterious Eyes,” minus the eponymous 12” track. I reckon the zip otherwise contains their complete discography. Enjoy!

Weimar Gesang- Supplemental Materials

Posted in 1980s, 1984, darkwave, italian, minimal synth, Weimar Gesang on July 2, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Thanks to two generous and anonymous donations, I’m pleased to upload the remaining tracks in Weimar Gesang‘s discography, including tracks from a split cassette with Plastic Trash.

I’ve unzipped, tagged, and reuploaded the files from the original Rapidshare files to keep everything together and circumvent Rapidshare’s waiting period. As an added bonus, I’ve included the live bootleg, entitled . Even in it’s low-quality, it may serve interesting to fans and otherwise completists.

Without any further ado, here’s the final batch of Weimar Gesang tracks!

Weimar Gesang- Our Silent Growth Cassette (1984)
1. Frail Moments
2. Torn Souls
3. The Play
4. Show Me
5. Motionless Dance
6. Frail Moments (Second View)

Weimar Gesang- VM Due Cassette (year unknown)
1. Our Silent Growth
2. Remaining Years
3. Gesang The Dragging
4. Light-Tight Place

Weimar Gesang- Live at Back Out, Roma 12.04.1985
1. Deceit
2. Melt Your Sight
3. Held Inside
4. Chantal’s Secret
5. Like in a Mirror
6. Worn Out Prayer
7. Du Bist/Light-Tight Place

*download all three releases here!*

More goodies to come in the near future, but thanks again to my anonymous benefactor for helping to complete the discography!