Back To The Outside World

In April, I wrote about Propaganda's debut album A Secret Wish for the inspirational blog No Badger Required (thanks again, SWC, it was a privilege)

In a kind of timey wimey contrivance that Doctor Who would consider tenuous at best, I've uncovered a review of 2002 CD/DVD compilation Outside World, that I wrote in 2006, which I thought I'd share with you here. You can find the tracklist on Discogs.

As part of Zang Tuum Tumb's bid for music (world?) domination in the first half of the 1980s, alongside Frankie Goes To Hollywood and The Art Of Noise, Propaganda were fully immersed in remix culture from the outset. My first purchase was the p:Machinery 12" single that, characteristically for ZTT, segued the instrumental and vocal versions to provide an epic slab of Germanic alt. pop. 

I subsequently sought out their other releases, including the classic album A Secret Wish and it's accompanying remix set - at a time when remix albums were still few and far between - Wishful Thinking. 

Like all ZTT acts, the music was just part of Propaganda's appeal, taking into account the striking sleeve art and the ever-photogenic Claudia Brücken and Susanne Freytag. In an odd sense, Propaganda were my ABBA (Suzanne was my favourite, in case you're wondering), though their story pretty much ended with these few releases. 

Ignoring the short-lived and largely forgettable Propaganda Mk II at the start of the 1990s, the band and their music seemed consigned to the vaults of history. However, with music's obsessive need to reevaluate and reclaim it's past, Propaganda are back with a collection of their finest moments committed to single. 

Of course, times have changed: remix albums are now ten-a-penny and, as the flood of recent 1980s 12" compilations demonstrates, much material from this period now sounds horribly dated. Fortunately, the innovative approach of Trevor Horn, Stephen Lipson and Robert Kraushaar, combined with the quality of Propaganda's songs, means that Outside World neatly avoids this problem. 

The versions of signature tune Dr. Mabuse build on the original's strengths and never feel repetitive. Likewise, p:Machinery (beta), which originally appeared on the rare ZTT sampler album IQ6, replaces the song's killer synth hooks with the squalling guitar of Magazine/Siouxsie & The Banshees legend John McGeoch (RIP). 

The 12" mixes of Duel and it's aggressive sibling Jewel are little more than extended workouts, but lose none of their impact. However, the cassette-only mix of p:Machinery (connected) is a less successful segue of the original and 12" versions, seeming heavy handed by comparison. 

Of the B-sides, Frozen Faces - here in two versions - is the standout, whilst the take on The Velvet Underground's Femme Fatale retains it's curiosity value. 

A limited edition bonus DVD compiles the three single promo videos, plus alternate versions and TV commercials, which reinforce Propaganda's innate sense of style and are a treat for those like me who missed them the first time around. 

Despite original members Michael Mertens and Suzanne Freytag reactivating Propaganda and releasing a 12" single at the end of 2005, the prospect of a full reformation seems unlikely. Still, Germany's arguably greatest 80s pop act have left a formidable legacy that loses none of it's appeal with the passing of time.

Footnote: fast forward to 2025 and in time-honoured tradition, there now exist two active versions of the band. Propaganda, with Michael Mertens, Ralf Dörper and Thunder Bae, sound not unlike the Mk. II version if I'm honest. xPropaganda, reuniting Claudia Brücken and Susanne Freytag with Stephen Lipson are perhaps closer to the spirit of thie ZTT-era music that I love so much.

1) p: Machinery (The Beta Wraparound (Remix) ft. John McGeoch) (1985)

2) Frozen Faces (Live) (1985)

3) Tipping Point (2024)

4) Only Human (Album Version) (2022)

 

 

 

More Altered Perceptions

Side 2 of an 80s mixtape recorded 26th November 1999.

Another compilation that's taken me ages to return to, Side 1 making an appearance here in November 2023. Better late than never...!

In 1987, Get It On by T. Rex was re-released with a new remix by Tony Visconti. I don't remember why exactly, as the (rather excellent) Best Of The 20th Century Boy compilation had already been out for a couple of years and there was no jeans ad tie-in as far as I recall. There were two 12" singles with new extended versions: the Dawn Mix on yellow vinyl and the Dusk Mix on blue vinyl; I've got both, there's not a lot of difference between the two.

Propaganda's second single was Duel, a gorgeous slice of Germanic pop. On the flip side was its roughneck relation, Jewel, Claudia Brücken's sweet voice replaced by Susanne Freytag's shouty vocals. Similarly, their album A Secret Wish was mirrored with a remix companion, Wishful Thinking. It's a bit hit-and-mix, but the remix of Duel/Jewel is superb, creating a sublime duet between Susanne and Claudia.

Love Like Blood is arguably Killing Joke's defining song and originally came out in two extended 12" single formats. Not content with that, producer Zeus B. Held had a go at the song, providing the flip side to his other remix of 1986 single Adorations. This one adds a few contemporary remix touches, including some crowd noises for some reason, to firmly root the song in the mid-1980s.

I do have the 12" single of More by Doctor & The Medics, which features a remix by an up-and-coming artist called William Orbit. Unfortunately, I don't have a MP3 rip and couldn't find an alternative on t'internet. So, I've grabbed the intro from the video version and spliced it with a slight edit of the album version and Hey Presto! a DIY extended version to fill the void. Derivative it may be, but I like this song.

Derivative is not a word that could be used to describe Peek-A-Boo by Siouxsie & The Banshees. When I first heard it in 1988, I was thrilled by this change of direction for the band. Unfortunately, the rest of the album is less experimental and more familiar, but the impact of this song hasn't diminished. Peek-A-Boo was released on 7", 12" (two of 'em) and CD single. The eight minute Silver Dollar Mix which appeared on the limited edition 12" single is in fact an edit; the full length version appeared in the USA and runs for another two minutes.

Whilst Siouxsie and co were trying to push themselves in a new direction, by 1988 Iggy Pop had pretty much gone full hair metal. I like the album Instinct but it's dumb rock, even by Iggy's standards, though unapologetically so. I first heard this remix of Cold Metal on the Sounds Blasts! 1 EP, a freebie 7" single with music paper Sounds that also featured The Blue Aeroplanes (yay!), Fishbone (mmmm) and the Dan Reed Network (meh). 

Closing out this compilation is my favourite version of Two Tribes by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, the Carnage remix by Trevor Horn and Stephen Lipson following the standard ZTT format of instrumental first half and vocal second half. However, they also chuck in a few vocal snippets from Nash, Peds and Mark taken from throwaway B-side 'interviews', which add a bit of colour. 

As with my previous post, I've tracked down the videos for each song, or TV performances where these aren't available. The clip for Jewel by Propaganda is a real treat. The others run the range from so so serious (Killing Joke) to stunning (Siouxsie) to silly (Doctor & The Medics) to... well, you've just got to see Iggy Pop's video to wonder how many cans of hairspray the film crew got through for this one.

And then there's Two Tribes, possibly one of the greatest videos ever made. If a band tried to do that today, the pustulous orange turd would probably buy MTV, install himself as CEO and shut it down. That's if the barrel chested bareback rider hadn't already dealt with them permanently.

 
1) Get It On (Dusk Mix) (Tony Visconti 87 Remix): T. Rex (1987)

2) Jewelled (Remix By Robert Kraushaar & Paul Morley): Propaganda (1985)

3) Love Like Blood (The '86 Remix By Zeus B. Held): Killing Joke (1986)

4) More (Full Video Version By Doctor & The Medics & Graham Meek): Doctor & The Medics (1987)

5) Peek-A-Boo (Silver Dollar Mix By Mike Hedges) (Edit): Siouxsie & The Banshees (1988)

6) Cold Metal (Rock Version By Andy Wallace): Iggy Pop (1988)

7) Two Tribes (Carnage) (Remix By Trevor Horn & Stephen Lipson): Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1984)

Side Two (46:06) (KF) (Mega)

Side One here

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Hope Feeds Another Dream

Propaganda's 1985 single p:Machinery is currently being used as the sonic hook for a TV ad campaign in the UK at the moment. In that respect, it's been an epic fail, as I've paid no attention whatsover to the product or the purveyor.

 

However, it's as good a reason as any to post not one, two or three but four contemporary versions of the song., starting with the superb video.

 

The second clip is from Peter's Pop Show, a German music series that ran from 1985 to 1993, presented by Peter Illman.

 

Third in line is a 'studio performance' from 1985. You may need to mute it and play your own audio as the synching is way out, but visually, its a minimalist treat.

Finally, a live version, origin unknown. The studio electronic quartet is transformed into a formidable live presence with muscular guitar and must have been a thrilling experience in person.

And Claudia Brücken and Susanne Freytag? Sigh, my teenage crush(es)....

There's Only One Way To Find Out...

Propaganda release their third album of all-new material in four decades in October. Founder members Michael Mertens and Ralf Dörper have teamed up with British singer/songwriter - and fellow Düsseldorf resident - Thunder Bae. 

The self-titled album contains eight songs, thirteen if you go for the limited double vinyl or CD editions. Purveyor Of Pleasure emerged as a lead single in May, with album opener They Call Me Nocebo following a few days ago.

More reminiscent of 1234, their 1990 album for Virgin, but with a harder sonic edge the songs are good...but are they great? 

If you're looking for something inspired more by the ZTT-era iteration of Propaganda, then Claudia Brücken and Susanne Freytag have you covered. They teamed up with original co-producer Stephen Lipson as xPropaganda to release The Heart Is Strange in 2022.

Not simply an attempt to recreate the past, there's an exciting dramatic tension to the music. And hearing Claudia and Susanne's voices together again? Wonderful.

But which is better?

Propaganda with Michael Mertens, Ralf Dörper and Thunder Bae?

Or xPropaganda featuring Claudia Brücken, Susanne Freytag and Stephen Lipson?

There's only one way to find out...

...or you can just buy either or both, as you please.

Dear Annie

Celebrating Annie Nightingale, 1st April 1940 to 11th January 2024.

When I heard the sad news that Annie had passed at the age of 83 following a short illness, I didn't immediately post about it. To be honest, it was a real shock, I'd admittedly not followed Annie's continuing broadcasts in recent years but she seemed like she was immortal, that husky voice continuing to emanate over the airwaves forever. 

I was floored by Janice Long's death in December 2021 and Annie's has also hit me hard. When reflecting on Janice at the time, I wrote that "I probably listened to [her] more than John Peel on Radio 1 as a teen, mainly because her evening show slot usually coincided with doing homework or otherwise avoiding my family in my bedroom." This was even more applicable to Annie, whose request show followed the Top 40 countdown on Sunday nights.

I continued to listen to Annie as the powers that be moved her time slot further and further back, so that (at least, as far as I recall), her show became essential post-club listening.

I discovered so much music, new and old, via Annie Nightingale and I think my eclectic collection is testament to her own unabated passion for new genres and styles. Annie was also a reason to watch The Old Grey Whistle Test on BBC2. Bands that might otherwise have stuck two fingers up to the show and presenter Whispering Bob Harris were more amenable to appear when she was presenting.

 

As with Janice Long, this is another of those selections that doesn't begin to do justice to the breadth of Annie Nightingale's indefatigable love of music. More so, given that her career spanned six decades. 

I've cheekily lifted some of Annie's OGWT intros to link some of the music on this selection. The opening extract was from the show broadcast on 14th February 1981, featuring The Sound (well, it was them or Camel) and a three-song set including the magnificent Sense Of Purpose, included here.

 

I should say that only one song, by The Selecter, is an actual performance from The Old Grey Whistle Test. The rest are album and single versions, a remix here and there including one by Annie herself and some deep cuts from The Teardrop Explodes, The Crystal Method, Public Image Ltd., T.Power and Primal Scream remixed by Andrew Weatherall.

 

Big In Japan by Alphaville made the cut as it was the first song on a request show from 1985 that TSKC1984 taped off the radio and posted on You Tube. You can listen to the entire show in all it's hissy glory here, with another from Hollowe'en 1984 here.

 

I've also drawn inspiration from the three albums that Annie compiled in 1996, 2007 and 2015: Annie On One, Annie Nightingale Presents Y4K and Masterpiece. My selection ends, as Annie On One does, with Flowered Up's magnum opus and finest moment, Weekender, which I first heard on her show in 1992. 

I'll happily confess that I was in love with Annie: that voice; the effortless cool that set her miles apart from her contemporary (male) DJs on TV; the sheer rock 'n' roll-ness of her being. Actually, scratch 'was' for 'am'. 

 

In the many, many tributes in the past few days, Annie Nightingale has been rightly described as a trailblazer, a pioneer, one-of-a-kind. Annie was all of that to me. She was also a wonderful person and my favourite radio DJ ever.

Thank you, Annie, you were the best.

 

1) Old Grey Whistle Test (BBC2 Continuity Announcement & Introduction): Annie Nightingale (1981) 

2) Sense Of Purpose: The Sound (1981)

3) Liberation (12" Version): T.Power (1995)

4) Old Grey Whistle Test (Introduction: The Teardrop Explodes): Annie Nightingale (1982) 

5) Colours Fly Away (Live @ Club Zoo, Liverpool): The Teardrop Explodes (1981)

6) This Was The Sound (Adam Freeland & Sebi Spanks Remix): K-Swing + Beber (2007)

7) Come Back Clean (Annie Nightingale + Far Too Loud Remix): The Crystal Method ft. Emily Haines (2009)

8) Big In Japan (7" Version): Alphaville (1984)

9) Old Grey Whistle Test (Introduction: Japan): Annie Nightingale (1982) 

10) Ghosts (Single Version): Japan (1982)

11) Old Grey Whistle Test (Introduction: Public Image Ltd.): Annie Nightingale (1980)

12) Poptones (John Peel Session): Public Image Ltd. (1979)

13) Don't Fight It, Feel It (Scat Mix By Andrew Weatherall & Hugo Nicolson): Primal Scream ft. Denise Johnson (1991)

14) Duel (Album Version): Propaganda (1985)

15) Old Grey Whistle Test (Introduction: The Selecter): Annie Nightingale (1980)

16) Murder (Live on Old Grey Whistle Test, BBC2 TV): The Selecter (1980)

17) Cheft El Khof: Orange Blossom (2004)

18) Grey Clouds: The Orb ft. Alan Parker, Urban Warrior (2007)

19) Weekender (Full Length Version): Flowered Up (1992)

Dear Annie (1:15:17) (KF) (Mega)

#SynthPopSeptember

Another of my occasional engagements with Musk's Mad World, the theme this time being thirty days of synth pop throughout September.

No surprise that the likes of Visage, Depeche Mode, Chvrches, Duran Duran, AIR, New Order, LCD Soundsystem, Blancmange, O.M.D., Goldfrapp, Bronski Beat, Hot Chip, Pet Shop Boys and The Human League were generally well represented by their best-known songs.

 

It was a lot of fun and an opportunity to offer up some lesser tweeted songs by many of the above plus Fad Gadget, Les Rythmes Digitales, Ladytron, Alan Vega, Telex, Boytronic and La Roux, several of whom have featured in posts this month.

My 30 synth pop choices in full were

1) Lady Shave (Single Version): Fad Gadget (1981)

2) Sleep On The Left Side (Les Rythmes Digitales' Living By Numbers Mix): Cornershop (1998)

3) The Black Hit Of Space (Album Version): The Human League (1980)

4) The Sun And The Rainfall (Album Version) (Cover of Depeche Mode): Marsheaux (2015)

5) Cccan't You See... (Single Version): Vicious Pink (1984)

6) Almost (Album Version): O.M.D. (1980)

7) Leave In Silence (Single Version): Depeche Mode (1982)

8) (Hey You) What's That Sound? (Album Version): Les Rythmes Digitales (1999)

9) Clean Your House (The Emperor Machine Extended Remix): Blancmange (2020)

10) Pale Green Ghosts (Album Version): John Grant (2013)

11) Synthesize (Single Version): Autumn (1981)

12) Real Thoughts In Real Time (Vince Clarke Extended Version): Hifi Sean & David McAlmont (2023)

13) Frozen Faces (Single Mix): Propaganda (1985)

14) Let's All Make A Bomb (New Version): Heaven 17 (1983)

15) Gun (Album Version): Chvrches (2013)

16) Saturn Drive (Extended / Album Version): Alan Vega (1983)

17) Seventeen (Darren Emerson Radio Edit): Ladytron (2003)

18) Stand Up (Get Down) (7" Version): Kissing The Pink (1988)

19) You (Extended Version): Boytronic (1983)

20) The Walk (Album Version): Eurythmics (1982)

21) Mixed Bizness (Nu Wave Dreamix By Les Rythmes Digitales): Beck (2000)

22) Moskow Diskow (French 12" Version): Telex (1979)

23) Glam (Album Version): Icehouse (1982)

24) Let Me Down Gently (Prins Thomas Diskomiks): La Roux (2014)

25) Disenchanted (Album Version): The Communards (1986)

26) Mister Imperator (Album Version): Telefís (2022)

27) Lies (Bigger & Better) (12" Version): Thompson Twins (1983)

28) Jackson's Last Stand (Radio Edit): Où Est Le Swimming Pool (2009)

29) When Do I Get To Sing 'My Way' (Album Version): Sparks (1994)

30) Pleasure Boys (Special Dance Mix): Visage (1982)

As my final contribution is being tweeted today, here's a random 10-song selection from the 30, spanning four decades and neatly squeezing onto an imaginary C90 cassette side. Click on the song title links for more YT goodies. Enjoy!

 

1) Pale Green Ghosts (Album Version): John Grant (2013)

2) Cccan't You See... (Single Version): Vicious Pink (1984)

3) Stand Up (Get Down) (7" Version): Kissing The Pink (1988)

4) Glam (Album Version): Icehouse (1982)

5) Frozen Faces (Single Mix): Propaganda (1985)

6) When Do I Get To Sing 'My Way' (Album Version): Sparks (1994)

7) Real Thoughts In Real Time (Vince Clarke Extended Version): Hifi Sean & David McAlmont (2023)

8) Synthesize (Single Version): Autumn (1981)

9) Mister Imperator (Album Version): Telefís (2022)

10) Clean Your House (The Emperor Machine Extended Remix): Blancmange (2020)

 

1981: Synthesize EP: 8

1982: Primitive Man: 4

1984: Cccan't You See... EP: 2

1985: p: Machinery EP / A Secret Wish (CD bonus track): 5

1988: Stand Up EP: 3 

1994: Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins: 6

2013: Pale Green Ghosts: 1

2020: Clean Your House EP: 10

2022: a hAon: 9

2023: Real Thoughts In Real Time EP: 7

 

#SynthPop September (46:02) (KF) (Mega)

A Kick Up The Eighties

Side 1 of a mixtape, recorded 22nd January 1990, and an early Eighties retrospective, a few weeks into the new decade.

This side firmly focuses on 1980 to 1985, with half of the tracks from 1982, now unbelievably (to this listener, at least) four decades ago. It's mostly hits and perhaps obvious choices, with a few oddities from albums and B-sides. All personal favourites.

The title is a nod to the BBC2 TV comedy sketch show of the same name that ran for two series from 1981 to 1984, featuring Rik Mayall, Tracey Ullman, Miriam Margoyles and (from the second series) Robbie Coltrane. A full episode from the first series has been posted on YouTube and is worth a look, if only for the brilliant Rik Mayall as investigative reporter Kevin Turvey.

The cover photo is a even more obscure, a scene from 1987 sci-fi movie, Cherry 2000. You wouldn't know it, but the person precariously hanging on to the car is none other than Melanie Griffith. I've watched the film once, which was possibly one time too many, but the picture seemed a good fit with the title. 

Happy listening!

1) Visage (Album Version): Visage (1980)

2) Today (Single Version): Talk Talk (1982)

3) Europa And The Pirate Twins (Album Version): Thomas Dolby (1981)

4) The Chase (Album Version By Stephen Lipson & Trevor Horn): Propaganda (1985)

5) The Beach: New Order (1983)

6) Blind Vision (Album Version By John Luongo): Blancmange (1983)

7) Night Suit: John Foxx (1981)

8) We Take Mystery (To Bed) (Single Version): Gary Numan (1982)

9) Mad World (Album Version By Chris Hughes & Ross Cullum): Tears For Fears (1982)

10) The Ring: Fad Gadget (1984)

11) The Walk (Album Version): Eurythmics (1982)

1980: Visage: 1

1981: The Garden: 7

1982: The Golden Age Of Wireless: 3 

1982: The Hurting: 9

1982: Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This): 11

1982: Today (7" single): 2

1982: We Take Mystery (To Bed) (7"): 8

1983: Blue Monday (12" single): 5 

1983: Mange Tout: 6

1984: Gag: 10

1985: A Secret Wish: 4 

Side One (45:27) (Box) (Mega)

History Reinvented

You can blame it all on Tom Moulton, for inventing the remix in the 1970's and creating floor-filling club classics, resurrecting 'old' hits by The O'Jays for the disco generation. For the past five decades, there has been a continuing, arguably obsessive, need to review, refresh and reinvent our rich musical history to reflect changing dancefloor tastes. Ironically, the remixes themselves end up being a snapshot of a particular period in time. From Tom Moulton to Ben Liebrand to 808 State to Blank & Jones to Luxxury and The Reflex, there is a constant stream of DJs and artists diving into their record collections to pull up (& pull apart) a classic song.

Some artists appear to embrace the deconstruction and tinkering, for example The Cure and Soft Cell. Others take a much different view. When Talk Talk's former record label EMI, buoyed by the success of singles compilation Natural History, decided to release a follow-up, History Revisited: The Remixes in 1991, Mark Hollis asked them not to. When EMI did it anyway, Talk Talk successfully sued and EMI was forced to withdraw and destroy all remaining copies of the album. The Wikipedia entry on the remix album includes an extract from a contemporary Melody Maker interview with Hollis and you can understand where he's coming from:

 

"I've never heard any of this stuff and I don't want to hear it . . . but to have people putting this stuff out under your name which is not you, y'know, I want no part of it. It's always been very important to me that I've got on with the people we've worked with. People's attitude has always been really important to me. So much of why someone would exist on one of our albums is what they are like as a person. So to find you've got people you've never given the time of day to going out as though it's you . . . it's disgusting."

 

Manager Keith Aspden put it even more succinctly:

"It's a distortion—more like History Reinvented".

 

I'm guilty of having bought - and enjoyed - the Talk Talk remix 12" singles and album (okay, with the exception of the Talk Talk Recycled megamix by Jive Bunny, which is an abomination). I also have a broad interest in new remixes of old songs, although there's generally more shit than shine.

To be honest, you'll find a bit of both in this selection, depending on your attachment to a particular song. My approach to the playlist was a very simple one: I've simply referred to the running order of 2005 compilation 12"/80s and pulled together a selection of updated remixes and reworks that I happened to have in my collection. Arguably, none are better than the original version, and some do little more than sling  some dance beats under the song. Others take the song somewhere new or present the music in a new and interesting way. I'm particularly fond of Fluke's remix of The Human League, Jakatta's remix of Tears For Fears and, yes, Dominic Woosey & JJ Montana's controversial Talk Talk reinvention.

1) A Forest (Tree Mix By Mark Saunders): The Cure (1990)

2) Tainted Love '91 (Remix By Julian Mendelsohn); Soft Cell (1991)

3) Promised You A Miracle (Mylo Promised U A Remix): Simple Minds (2013)

4) Love Action (I Believe In Love) (Fluke's Dub Action Remix): The Human League (2003)

5) Fade To Grey (Bassheads 7" Edit): Visage (1993)

6) Situation (Richard X Remix): Yazoo (2006)

7) It's My Life (Tropical Love Forest Mix By Dominic Woosey & JJ Montana): Talk Talk (1990)

8) Kiss Me (Remix By Rusty Munno): Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy (1993)

9) Pull Up To The Bumper (Funk's Extension Mix By Funkstar De Luxe): Grace Jones (2000)

10) Sinful! (Scary Jiggin' With Doctor Love) (Remix By Pete Wylie): Pete Wylie ft. The Farm (1991)

11) Shout (Jakatta Thrilled-Out Mix By Dave Lee): Tears For Fears (2004)

12) Ever So Lonely (Remix By Ben Chapman): Monsoon (1990)

13) Wonderful Life (Deepend Bootleg): Black (2013)

14) Dr. Mabuse (Blank & Jones so80s Reconstruction): Propaganda (2014)

History Reinvented: 12"/80s Reimagined (1:24:32) (KF) (Mega)

Extended, For Stephanie Beacham

On record, Act were a going concern for little over a year, from their debut single Snobbery And Decay in May 1987 to their sole album, Laughter, Tears And Rage in June 1988. However, being on ZTT, there were a plethora of remixes, album tracks that were unique to each format and unreleased songs and alternative versions. This has continued with a number of reissues, compilations and anthologies over the years.

 

I'd got in on the act (excuse the pun) because of Claudia Brücken's involvement - I was a big fan of Propaganda - but it's had the lasting impact of introducing me to Thomas Leer's solo work, before and after. Act was not a commercial success but they've remained a go to if you like your 80s pop with a dash of commentary on, as Wikipedia puts it, "decadence and moral bankruptcy".

 

1)  Absolutely Immune II (Remix By Stephen Lipson & Trevor Horn) (1987)

2) Strong Poison (Remix By Stephen Lipson) (1987)

3) I Can't Escape From You (Razormaid Mix) (1992)

4) (Alternative) Gestures (Remix By Stephen Lipson) (1988)

5) Body Electric (1987)

6) Snobbery And Decay (Extended, For Stephanie Beecham) (1987)

7) Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now (Lucky's Skank 2) (ft. Casbah aka Aloysius 'Lucky' Gordon) (Cover of The Smiths) (1988)

8) White Rabbit (Cover of The Great Society with Grace Slick) (1987)

9) I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You (Cover of Julie Covington) (1987)

10) Chance (Throbbin' Mix By Stephen Lipson) (1988)

11) Under The Nights Of Germany (Trial Edit By Stephen Lipson) (1988)

12) Laughter (Seven Inch Mix By Greg Walsh) (1988)

13) Winner '88 (12" Mix By Stephen Lipson) (1988)

 

Extended, For Stephanie Beacham (1:05:15)