Archive for the minimal Category

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Berlin- The Metro 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, berlin, LA, los angeles, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, synthpop, US on May 3, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Stick with me on this one folks. Any fan of new wave should already be familiar with Berlin, the Los Angeles based band led by Terri Nun and John Crawford. If you are unfamiliar with the band, please direct your attention here. While it’s their later ballads and more commercial wave tracks that seem to be remembered, it’s prudent to note that the band’s first few releases were fantastic and rare entries to the US minimal synth scene. Information, the band’s first LP, was the closest thing to Ultravox in the west coast scene, while songs like “The Metro” and “Sex (I’m A)” from 1982’s Pleasure Victim were fast paced, sexually driven synth tracks that still remain classics to date. It’s the kind of sound also explored on the SSQ LP, another personal favorite female-led new wave smash. Fun fact: Both Berlin and Q/SSQ shared labels throughout their tenure, and Jon St. James of the latter outfit is credited as an engineer for Berlin’s Pleasure Victim LP. Incestuous!

I had originally purchased this 1981 issue of The Metro to DJ, not just for the foxy picture of Terri Nun on the back, but also figuring it’s far easier to pack a 7” than a 12”. When it comes to wax, real estate is key, so it just made sense to purchase, spatially. Just yesterday, I needed a fix for “Tell Me Why” and went for Youtube, only to be presented with a much more raw and driving mix than I remembered. Lo and behold, it’s the same version on this 7”, released a year before the EP cut! A little bit of research quickly told me that this Berlin single I purchased ages ago was actually quite the rarity in their catalog, as both tracks appear in an earlier form. The differences are most notable in “Tell Me Why,” though “The Metro” also features a different intro and what seems to be a different drum track. Either way, I’m happy to include this single here, and hope you kids enjoy it!

Berlin- The Metro 7”
1. The Metro
2. Tell Me Why

*download it here* (re-ripped 5.30.13)

Also, for those who want to try to own this obscurity, there are currently a few copies for sale via discogs. Buyer beware, wink wink!

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U.K. Viva- Mr. Mystery 7”

Posted in 1980, 1980s, minimal, minimal synth, u.k. viva, uk on May 2, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a driving minimal synth single from 1980. A little bit of Buzzcocks/Undertones sound underneath all the electronics, kind of representative of the shift from punk to new wave, so fans of early 1980s synth should find this one to be a real treat.

You may have heard the b-side track on the New Wave Complex series, but the a-side is the standout, at least to my ears. This is the band’s lone release, though another version of the single exists under the name Viva. Likely that there was another band with the same name, so they added the U.K. bit in to differentiate (also see bands like The Chameleons and Charlatans for this sort of treatment). The original Viva 7” was released on Square records, home to an early Aerial FX release, another thematic touchstone for this track. The U.K. Viva edition appeared on Line records, known for pressings of Iggy Pop, Nico, and Smiths singles.

U.K. Viva- Mr. Mystery 7”
1. Mr. Mystery
2. Radio Saviour

*download it here*

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Popular Science- Out of This World 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, popular science, US on April 26, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a 7” I scored in a local dollar bin, hidden among a series of lesser singles. This record hails from the US, was released in 1983, and features a minimal synth sound combined with the male/female vocal melodies of X. A curious, but successful blend, especially on the A-side.

While I was able to track down the cover via Ebay, my particular copy of this single came without. Just an unassuming paper sleeve with the record tucked neatly inside, nothing to catch the eye and hint at the gem inside. Sometimes, these are the best treasures to be found…

There seems to be a full length LP from the band, released in 1981. I’m not sure it’s the same band, since I haven’t had the chance to check it out yet, though the time period and country seem suspect. You can check it out here or here. However, while it seems likely that it’s the same band, I’m still not convinced. All signs point to Austin, TX for this 7”, while the LP was recorded in Rosendale, NY (not too far from where I grew up). If anyone can shed some light on this one, please do! Otherwise, enjoy!

Popular Science- Out of This World 7”
1. Out of This World
2. When Science Came To Town

*download it here*

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John Costello- Halflife K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, ambient, cassette, john costello, k7, minimal, minimal synth, network 23, remote viewing, remote viewing vol. 2 on April 19, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

I have a few posts in line that go hand in hand with the Remote Viewing cassette posted a few weeks back. The first of such posts is the second tape from John Costello, one of the standouts from that compilation. His track “Gormenghast,” which was recorded live in Cardiff, also appears on the b-side to this cassette, alongside two other performances from that particular show. The a-side features lengthy tributes to popular horror scores. Either way, you can expect the same great synth work and haunting atmosphere on both sides. Here’s the information:

John Costello- Halflife K7
1. Halloween Suite
2. Texas Chainsaw
3. Flame Patterns
4. Surface Tension
5. Gormenghast

*download it here*

John Costello is still making a plethora of music, spanning several electronic styles. You can check out some of his current work via Myspace.

Also, for those interested, there are some great live videos from the infamous Cardiff concert (March 18th, 1989) available via Costello’s YouTube channel. Click here to check ’em out (scroll down the upload list to view the performances), and expect some more goodies from the Network 23 crew to follow. I’d also like to thank both John Costello and label head Kevin O’Neill for all the info, support, and generosity over the past few weeks!

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Ahab- Party Girl 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, chicken jazz, minimal, minimal synth, uk on April 11, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a 7” from the UK that I can’t seem to get enough of lately. Virtually no info to be had out there on the web, but I do know this record dropped in 1981 via Chicken Jazz, who released several records by The Waterboys. The cover looks a little reminiscent of A-ha’s “Take On Me” video, but the styles are quite different. Here we have what seems to be two one-man minimal synth tracks. The a-side has a bit of a Felt/Eyeless in Gaza-esque vibe to it (a sound I very much enjoy), and features lyrics I’m sure everyone can relate to. The second track (a cover of a classic 70s ballad) is a bit more driving, but still has a bit of sadness behind the uptempo melody. All in all, an excellent obscurity to kick off your week!

Ahab- Party Girl 7”
1. Party Girl
2. Don’t Give Up On Us

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.4.13)

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Glades of Darkness- Demo K7

Posted in coldwave, darkwave, glades of darkness, minimal, minimal synth on April 4, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s one that’s completely off my radar, as in, I can’t find any information about it whatsoever. Really excellent demo tape from a band called Glades of Darkness, who seem to have a very Italian sound, judging from the songwriting, atmosphere, and use of electronics. They fit in right with bands like Weimar Gesang and Chromagain, but no real knowledge of their time and location to be found. Sounds mid-1980s to me as well, but I can never be too sure about these things! Either way, fans of those bands as well as gloomy minimal synth and coldwave should find lots to love here.

If anyone could tell me anything about this band, it would be most appreciated!

Glades of Darkness- Demo K7
1. Time Passenger
2. I’m a Stranger
3. A Door
4. In the Garden
5. Go Away
6. Our Neoska
7. Wide Spaces

*download it here*

Enjoy! Lots more goodies to come over the next few weeks!

8 Comments »

Various Artists- Remote Viewing Vol. 2 K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, ambient, cassette, experimental, industrial, k7, minimal, minimal synth, remote viewing, remote viewing vol. 2 on March 21, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

This particular cassette comes on generous loan from Sean Mcbride, sole member of Martial Canterel and half of Xeno and Oaklander, two of the current synth scene’s most crucial players. For those who are unaware, the latest Martial Canterel record, You Today, has dropped via Wierd Records, and is quite the stunning piece of work. A modern classic, through and through. Pick up a copy here, if you haven’t already!

This cassette, upon hearing it, has quickly become an all time favorite. Released in 1989 on Network 23 (the first installment appeared three years prior, and has yet to be shared to my knowledge), this tape features an hour and a half of instrumental ambient and industrial works from several obscure artists. It’s a murky, unsettling, and highly atmospheric ride, without a single dud among the bunch. Many of the artists here appear exclusively among the series, while others have a few more scattered releases from around the same time. The standout for me is John Costello’s “Gormen Ghast,” which lifts off into minimal synth/dance territory after nearly three minutes of haunting atmosphere. There’s also an exclusive track by Colin Potter and a solid gem by Steve Hillman, to name a few. This is highly recommended for fans of Tangerine Dream, Coil, and John Carpenter’s film scores, but there’s a handful of great minimal synth gems sprinkled within. Dig it!

Various Artists- Remote Viewing Vol. 2 K7
1. Howard Ingram- Sacrestone 72
2. Michael Hines- The Spirit Of Radio
3. Greg Truckell- Mesh
4. Mangenta Mirror- NX-X1-11
5. R. N. Andrews- Chinese Dentist Time
6. Steve Hillman- Citadel Parts 1 And 2
7. Colin Potter- Malton
8. Kevin O’Neill- Lik Mai
9. John Costello- Gormen Ghast
10. What It Is- Rearing Pigs
11. Martin Coles & Rick Wernham- Object Detection
12. Rancid Poultry- Controlled Exposure
13. Peter Tedstone- Mystic Sequence
14. Tim Stebbing- Star City

*download it here*

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P!OFF?- Mein Walkman Ist Kaputt 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, german, minimal, minimal synth, NDW, transparent on March 17, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a German NDW/synth rarity from 1982. Seems to be the first release on Transparent Records. Both of these tracks are plucked from the full length LP, also released in the same year. Quite an expensive LP, if you can get your hands on it!

You can expect some excellent quirky synth sounds here. The A-side has an excellent synthetic bass groove running throughout it, a bit of an oddball dancefloor classic. The B-side is a bit more spastic, kind of atypical of the NDW movement, but enjoyable all the same. Here’s the rundown:

P!OFF?- Mein Walkman Ist Kaputt 7”
1. Mein Walkman Ist Kaputt
2. Ich Kann Kein Französisch (Dansez)

*download it here*

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Perfect Jewish Couple- Ménage À Trois 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, minimal, minimal synth, perfect jewish couple, US on January 21, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s another oddball minimal synth gem I’ve had sitting in the upload queue for some time now. A rare entry from the United States, Ohio to be exact, dating back to 1985. You have two mixes of the catchy and quirky single here, backed with a more atmospheric track on the flip. I personally prefer the b-side, but especially enjoy the duality of this release.

You can hear more from the band on a 2007 CD reissue, which features some unreleased gems and “The Fall.” This release was prompted by several inquiries from fans and collectors over the years. Read more about the band’s history (complete with a comprensive bio and gear-list) here, and be sure to pick up a copy of Time Capsule by clicking here!

Perfect Jewish Couple- Ménage À Trois 7”
1. Step Back (Extended Version)
2. Step Back
3. The Fall

*download it here*

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Zerbrechlich- Am Strand Von Italien 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, dammerattacke, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, zerbrechlich on January 19, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a scarce minimal synth single from Austria. The a-side is an infectious little new wave gem, while the b-side is a manic piece of oddball synth- something for both sides of the minimal synth spectrum!

This is Zerbrechlich’s only release, but the story doesn’t end there. Zerbrechlich was the electronic side project of Dämmerattacke, who appear on the very first Systems of Romance compilation. The Zip Guns, who issued one LP in 1994, also consist of several Dämmerattacke members.

Here’s the info:

Zerbrechlich- Am Strand Von Italien 7”
1. Am Strand Von Italien
2. Bei Den Beduinen

*download it here*

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