From 1984 and Fred does what he does best. Does a Hallowe’en track with some daft lyrics and some B-52’s styled backing vocals. (Yup, Kate Pierson helped out with Lisa Lubitz and Shailah Edmonds)
Quite a bit of electronics on here too. It was co-produced with Bernie Worrell (Parliament / Funkadelic keyboard player who also worked with Talking Heads) and was arranged by B-52’s collaborator, John Coté , providing the guitar with Tom Beckerman.
The B-side is cert Party tune, with added percussion by Geoffrey Armes and a bouncy synth bass.
To begin with our Hallowe’en posts we have this oddity from Haunted Staircase from 1981.
A tribute to Alfred Hitchcock’s and the Psycho shower scene according to the press release. Members: Philip Ridley (vocals), Catherine Meier (vocals, keyboards), Paul Bunn (drums).
Very busy drums and an Art Pop pretentiousness about it. They think you can dance to “Flutters” in tribal way ?!
The B-side has some spoken words and cheap synths and wobbly vocals and a very sinister theme. Thanks Mr. F F
From the LP “Oops I Did It Again” a selection of mixes from Malik
Starting with the original produced by Swedish duo , David Kreuger and Per Magnusson
Then there is a very severe, chopped edit at 9 mins. Featuring a rap Xzbit so it becomes a mash-up. Remixed & Edits By Maleek “Mixmaster Heavy M.” Jefferson For Louil Silas Productions. So there you go!
There’s a clean version at just over 4 mins and a single edit too
Malak has promptly provided ALL the mixes of Erotica. Thanks!
Really like the rawer Demo versions, with the clearer samples.
Kenlou’s mixes are Trip Hop ,particularly the Instrumentals. Masters At Work bring a bit of Garage House Beats over Madonna’s breathy vocals.
That Bass is nicely tweaked in both the Dub and track 11.
William Orbit provides a couple of quality mixes. It may have got him the “Ray Of Light” job ! Rolling beats and full sub bass. Love the jazz funk break. He probably does the best Dubs in the business.
Was Malik involved in the last track , a bit of a mashup. ??
Thanks Mr. FF for these couple of tracks from 1980. A joint release
Squier (ex-member of Piper) has a track which is allegedly the most sampled Rock record ever. The track itself drives along with loud drums and catchy hooks.
“Road Racin'” is for the Petrolheads out there. Plenty of riffs and solos to air guitar along to.
Not much Floyd on here and I’m very uneducated to comment on this.
From 1988 and from the album, “A Momentary Lapse Of Reason” – their 13th LP and I can honestly say I’ve not listened to any of them! Not out of choice just haven’t bothered – will rectify that.
Officially featuring just;
David Gilmour – vocals, guitars, keyboards, sequencers, production Nick Mason – electronic and acoustic drums, spoken vocals, sound effects.
But of course there was a massive team of guest and session musicians if you delve closer.
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Tom Scott
Backing Vocals – Carmen Twillie, Darlene Koldenhaven, Donnie Gerrard and Phyllis St. James
Bass Guitar, Chapman Stick [Stick] – Tony Levin
Drums – Carmine Appice and Jim Keltner
Guitar – Michael Landau
Keyboards – Jon Carin
Keyboards, Percussion, Sequencers – Bob Ezrin
Organ [Hammond] – Bill Payne
Percussion – Steve Forman
Piano, Vocals, Electric Piano [Kurzweil], Organ [Hammond] – Richard Wright
Saxophone – John Halliwell
Synthesizer – Pat Leonard
Tenor Saxophone – Scott Page
So an impressive list.
A political Power Ballad with a bit of Celtic feel. Annoyingly fades out during the guitar solo.
The B-side is from The Wall and performed live, recorded in Atlanta, November 5, 1987. Like that guitar build up and you really need to know the album to appreciate the theme.
A punning name from this UK – Recorded at the Lodge, Cambridge for Power Dance Music October 1985
Not very dancey , a bit Indie jangle with some synths dancing in the background. Does drag on a bit.
A quintet of Jay White, Tony Marks, Steve and Andy Claire and Tony Appleby.
Candide – Dreamers Never Talk (1987)
Swedish synth New Wave that was originally released on cassette. Coldwave in style with a pinch of guitar. I think recorded live.
Interesting bio (given an equipment list)
Mats and Beppe met back in 1984. Shortly after that they started a synth pop band, bought a couple of synthesisers and drum machines (Juno-60, SH-101, TR-606, DR-220E, TR-505, TR-909, MS-20, Akai AX-60, Siel DK-80, JP-4, Six Track). With several band names like ‘Never Mind’ or ‘Electronic Story’ finally the name ‘Candide’ were settled. The singer, Magnus came along in 1985.
Candybox – My Little Black Book Of Lies (1988)
Another one from that New Reaction compilation so no way of finding out about them. The track is an interesting bit of synthpop with some interesting sounds and a male and female vocals.
Caplo Banaal – I (1983)
Coming straight of Essex and with a dramatic synth introduction this must have appeared on a compilation of some sort.
A decent enough tune with those strained, 80’s vocals.
Carol Rich – Computered Love (1984)
Breathy French vocals on this a very decent B-side. A Swiss/French Project with Jacques Massard and a bit of an admired Italo Disco track for those in the know.
Carole Anne Berry (Bürlitz) – In The Dead Of The Night (Ext) (1984)
Produced by Graham Gouldman at London’s Red Bus Studios, this is the partnership of Berry and Glynn Gillespie producing a dark bit of brooding New Wave, here with a 12″ mix. Hallowe’en playlist material , especially with all those vocal effects.
Casual Affairs – Emotional Man (1985)
Already here in WAV form, this blog has always been quite obscure!
And yet another B-side of a solitary release from this NYC band.
Bass – Paul Arnau
Guitar, Keyboards, Drum Programming – Jeff Thall
Lead Vocals – Dermot Brennan
Polished Tech AOR with some nice guitar work and pretty catchy.
Chang & Voyle – Chinese Eyes / If You Were Here (1986)
Both sides of their only release and a trendy East/West collab (allegedly). Cheesy and chiming.
Instruments [Yamaha DX 21 and Roland TR 707] – Danny Chang (who doesn’t look Chinese at all!), Voice – Nigel Voyle (ex- Cyan) and backing vocals Mike Price.
Erasure in style on the A-side. Not half bad, The B-side is more band focussed with the addition of Bass – Peter Morgan and Guitar – Dave Dearnaley
Cheek Cheeko – River Of Pride / We Submit (1986)
Their only release and both the A and B side.
Backed by 80’s Legends, The Croquettes (Gill O’Donovan and Suzie O’List)
A duo of mystery. Synthpop and 80’s vocals (I did let out a snigger!)
The A-side does have a playful trumpet solo then goes for a repetitive outro. “We Submit” has more chiming synths and jumps around everywhere. That duet with all the synths collapsing behind it. Eek!
Cherche-Delices – Cherche-Delices (1988)
Self Released French synthpop from Marc Bastide and Michel Bastide. Inoffensive and sung in French.
Choice – Lust Generation(Demo) (1987)
Apparently from the border town Dundalk in Ireland, vocals by Jaki McCarrick.
Moody Goth inspired by The Cure with a melodic lead vocals.
Christine Jacquelin – Fou De Vous(1984)
Metallic Beats and more French Cold Wave. From legendary studio boffin David Richards. Going for the Annie Lennox look. Nice punchy drums. The Model springs to mind.
Chromagain – After The Clouds / Season Of Steel(1985)
Two tracks off a 5 track mini-LP they did. Italian Darkwave from a group made up of Luca Pastore (bass, guitar, synthesiser, lyrics, backing vocals), Silvio Ferrero (synthesisers) and Davide Bassino (vocals, lyrics) from Torino, Italy.
Haunting Ballad “After The Clouds” stands up quite well. Plenty of beds and atmospherics. Simmons Drums and DX-7. “Seasons Of Steel” is upbeat and New Order-ish.
Colenso Parade – The Perfect Adoption (1985)
From the weirdly named EP “Hallelujah Chorus And Other Coyote Yelps” comes this Nick Robbins / Troy Tate produced track.
A Belfast quartet that featured Terry Bickers (Guitar) who went on to be in House Of Love. Along with Andrew “Aza” Middleton (from Belfast Punk Bands Victom and The Androids), Hepburn Forgie (Ruefrex) Jeff Beatie (Drums, also in Victim) and Linda Clendinning (Keys)
Dreamy Indie with swirling keyboards and rich vocals. Alternative Blues vibe,
Cloud People – Reach Out (1987)
A quartet out of Cleveland , Ohio. Folky Rock with harmonica. Described as Hair Indie Rock on Discogs. Acoustic strum – athon.
Colonial Club – Irrigation (1987)
Originally from a cassette release, A project by Steve Honeywill (previously in Walking Wounded and Chapter 29) This got released with 3 other tracks from other artists on Fantastic Records. (Exeter, Devon)
One man band electronica with a bit of a World style in arrangement. Tears for Fears / Japan in style and some trumpet blasts.
Common 5/8 – Judgement Day (1985)
From the UK Overtone 4 compilation with a slight Goth feel. Indie guitar weaves around. Good vocals.
Crazy House – The First Time (1982)
A debut release on Wiltshire’s TW Records.
Bass, Acoustic Guitar – Steve Collinson
Piano, Synthesizer, Percussion – Peter Parsons
Vocals, Guitar, Piano – David Luckhurst
A weird blend of Beatles Psychedelia with dominate piano and synths.
Oz synthpop recorded at Fast Forward Studio’s in the suburb Warranwood in Melbourne, Australia. Even though it”s trying to sound very now there is a bit of Pub Rock elements in the chorus.
Cry for Reality – Dehydration (1984)
From the Sheffield compilation “Flightpath One” (Vulcan Records). Minimal Cold Wave with a crazy, circus organ and female lead.
Cunning Toy – Searching (1987)
A 5 piece German synthpop (who’d have thought!) Christian Leonhardt (OOMPH!, Project Pitchfork, T.O.Y), Rene Bachmann (OOMPH!, New Scientists), Stephan Musiol (OOMPH!), Thomas Döppner (OOMPH!) and Uwe Kallenbach (New Scientists, Syntec) – all went on to better things.
Sounds very DM (who’d have thought!) and weighs in at over 7 mins. Some very random and loud samples but this is pure EDM.
Cutting Edge – Country Boy (Special Ext) (1984)
UK New Wave featuring Matthew Nelmes, Andy Ritchie and Ian Nicole. This was mixed by Simon Boswell over Nick Glennie-Smith’s production.
Big Drums, harsh edits and some usual 80’s synth chimes and whistles. Dare I say there is a bit of XTC in here. Hate the phasing effects.
From their self released album from this Liverpool band.
Bio
Formed in Liverpool in 1979 by ex-Next) members: multi-instrumentalist – singer – songwriter Philip Franz Jones and bassist Geoff Kelly with ex-Mutants and Fragments Rod Gilliard, and drummer – keyboardist Clive Gee.
In 1981 Sam Brew replaced Rod Gilliard which went experimental synth pop renaming himself Windows. They released one album and six singles before disbanding due to lack of success.
After a period of inactivity bootleg album Afraid of Mice (The White Album) unreleased by Charisma Records surfaced as a bootleg in 1983 after which the band split up.
Later the same year, Philip Franz Jones formed Two’s A Crowd along with Alex McKechnie a duo that would become the quartet of Up And Running. Clive Gee would later join Freeze Frame.
Bass, Vocals – Geoff Kelly
Drums – Clive Gee (Freeze Frame)
Guitar, Vocals – Sam Brew
Vocals, Saxophone, Flute, Keyboards – Philip Franz Jones
Wasn’t expecting a synth heavy bit of New Romanticism.
Produced by Tony Visconti !!!
Alaska Y Dinarama – Solo Por Hoy (1984)
Spanish Pop/Rock band formed in 1982. After the disbandment of Alaska Y Los Pegamoides, former member Ignacio Canut pursued a new project called “Dinarama”, along with former band mate Carlos Berlanga as vocalist. After some less satisfactory attempts, they eventually decided to have a female vocalist instead, and invited former band mate Alaska to join, which led to the new band name “Alaska Y Dinarama”. They disbanded in 1989, and members Alaska and Ignacio Canut went on to form the band Fangoria.
From their second album, “Deseo Carnal” with the line-up of;
Bass – Nacho (Canut)
Drums – Jorge Arboles
Guitar – Luis Miguelez
Guitar, Vocals, Backing Vocals – Carlos
Keyboards – Marcos Mantero
Keyboards – Tom Parker
Percussion – Roberto Timana Allen
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Alaska
Goth and synthy it drifts in and out with plenty of UK influences. Well produced and arranged.
All That Jazz – Jazz Clique (1984)
Another one off the “Overtone 1 – The Modern Album” – Glasgow / Scottish New Wave. Jangle and danceable ! Not jazzy.
Hugh Currie – Guitars/Vocals Gordon Goudie – Guitars/Keyboards ( Primevals, Simple Minds and Echo and the Bunnymen) Neil McCrindle – Drums Johnny ‘Jonas’ Templeton – Bass
Anatta – Soulless / Tell Me (1986)
Synthpop from Thailand (again!) – There seems plenty of band members judging by the band photo.
Another Twin – Last Man To Lose His Youth / Retracing Steps (1983)
Straight out of Slough, UK and this was from their only release, an LP called “This Dying Bloom” on Nuclear Records.
Featuring;
Howard Jonathan (Sands) Michael Neil Featuring: Ian on viola
Basic but passionate. As jangly as I could tolerate,
A’s For Igloos – Cover My Eyes (1985)
Another one from an Overtone Records compilation ( I know what you’re thinking!) Drum machine – first on this post! Unusual vocals and plenty of guitar and synth.
Asphixiation – L Acrostique D Amour (1981)
Minimal synth / Coldwave with some unexpected saxophone. Very playful.
French ? Nope from Oz. And here is that acrostic formed by the lyrics in full !
Fighting’s
Useless
Coolness
Keen
My,
You’re
Aching
Really
So
Excruciating
Frank
Understanding
Compromises
Kept
My,
You’re
Acrostic
Really
Something
Else
Batz Without Flesh – Auto Suggestion (1988)
Industrial Goth from Philadelphia. Nitzer Ebb and Sigue Sigue Sputnik. (with a sample from “Alien”)
From the record sleeve
Guitar [Sloth Guitar 73], Noises, Tape, Other [Processing], Other [Objects], Percussion [Metallic Percussion] – Sloth
Voice, Synthesizer, Horn, Other [Objects] – John Dugan
Voice, Synthesizer, Sequencer, Tape, Programmed By [Rhythm Programming], Noises, Effects – Claude Willey
The name “Batz Without Flesh” represented a battle on a spiritual level (Battles Without Flesh) oh, okay!
Beograd – TV (1982)
From the former Yugoslavia we get some dystopian Cold Wave. There is a bit of bright handclaps in there. How good was that !
All decent songs in the AOR style. Released in 1990 .
You get a cover version of “Sorrow” famously covered by David Bowie also. Their only hit “Brave Young Boy” has even elements of Big Country and U2. The mixes by Nigel Wright brighten it up.
Bass – Donnie Nossov (John Waite, Pat Benatar, Tom Verlaine, Lita Ford)
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