Rock /
Froh Zu Sein & 8-EP-Sampler
* Edition of 300 * The South German punk and new wave band Familie Hesselbach caused a sensation between 1980 and 1985, first regionally and then nationwide. They indulged in a deliberate eclecticism from the musical preferences of the individual family members and formed these into their unmistakable sound. Disco, pop, punk, rap, no wave, funk, the main thing is danceable. The lyrics in German and Italian, later also in English - and always with a wink. Their trademarks were the rousing live qu…
The Mirror Test
One of the most respected British bands in the mid-80s post punk era. Sad Lovers and Giants played highly atmospheric music made of melancholic melodies and epic guitar riffs. An overtly romantic attitude that slowly developed towards an even more open (pop) sound approach. Originally released on Midnight Records, The Mirror Test, the band's third studio effort, arrived as the fruit of an updated line-up and a clear step in such direction. A very harmonious collection of songs, some of which are…
Feeding The Flame
Sad Lovers and Giants second album, a brilliant atmospheric post punk record with several elements akin to Joy Division and The Chameleons. We can definitely apply the term’ ethereal’ to these composition, certainly the sound is very oceanic and otherwordly melancholic, typical trademarks of the new wave renaissance. Recorded in 1983 – and released on their own label Midnight Music - Feeding the Flame showcases the original line up at its very best.
Aunt Sally
This seminal, eponymous post-punk album by Japanese group Aunt Sally, fronted by experimental singer Phew, was first released by the iconic Vanity Records label in 1979. Over the past forty-plus years, Phew has forged a singular path through a wide range of styles - from free improvisation to pop - and has collaborated with the likes of Ryuichi Sakamoto, members of Can, DAF, Einstürzende Neubauten, The Raincoats and more. But Aunt Sally is where she got her start and, despite the members’ young…
Obsessions
Obsessions' is clearly a cult single of the era and one of their personal highlights. The band recorded the 4 track live in April 1982 and then reprocessed the take at Kindergarten Studio. The twelve inch was then released on the highly influential indie label Materiali Sonori. Neon is still considered as a legend of the Italian new-wave scene, one of the leading figure of the Florence underground movement that spread between the late '70s and the early' 80s.
Photographs As Memories
Photographs As Memories was the British cult band Eyeless In Gaza's debut album. A truly kaleidoscopic picture dominated by Martyn Bates's highly expressive vocals and Pete Becker's peculiar analog synth lines in a jungle of electric guitars, plastic organs, soprano saxophones, percussion, violin, stylophone, and tapes. An album which comes as a vivid snapshot from the very dawn of the '80s. Originally released in 1981.
One Afternoon In A Hot Air Balloon
Brilliant second album from the wholly original cult Sheffield post punk band, Artery. Released in 1983 on Red Flame, One Afternoon In A Hot Air Balloon is an adventure on its own. Artery somehow replaced the somber post-punk of the debut with a stream of melancholic pop paeans influenced by British folk and certain ballroom dances, with a spectral keyboard sound worth killing for. The secret weapon -- when compared to the rest of their discography -- is largely explained by the presence of keyb…
Tantra
Originally recorded for a radio broadcast in Holland in 1983 in front of a very selected audience (ten in all), Total Sound represents a great snapshot of Sad Lovers and Giants live on stage. Here the band, caught just before the split, delivers an outstanding performance based on a fine selection of songs from their first two now classic albums.Sad Lovers & Giants fell apart at the end of the year, but they have now reformed and new recordings will be available early in 1987.
Total Sound
Originally recorded for a radio broadcast in Holland in 1983 in front of a very selected audience (ten in all), Total Sound represents a great snapshot of Sad Lovers and Giants live on stage. Here the band, caught just before the split, delivers an outstanding performance based on a fine selection of songs from their first two now classic albums.Sad Lovers & Giants fell apart at the end of the year, but they have now reformed and new recordings will be available early in 1987.
The Singles
For the first time ever this 27 track double album collects all of their singles on Red Rhino and Beggars Banquet/Situation Two. A mandatory compilation that also includes the bonus 7 inch originally appeared on the first ltd version of the 1986 album ‘Paint Your Wagon’ (Paint Your Wagon/More Jipp), an alternative and harder rendition of ‘Beating My Head’ (originally appeared o the Ep ‘This Today’) and ‘Russia’ from the 1984 Ep ‘Hollow Eyes’. Red Lorry Yellow Lorry were one of the most successf…
The Independent Singles Collection
*For the first time on vinyl ! Fully remastered and licensed, ltd to 500 copies. In process of stocking* The Monochrome Set’s complete independent singles collection including b-sides and rare tracks. Collected from their time at Rough Trade, Dindisc and Cherry Red, a superb collection of genre defying “new wave” pop. Suave; debonair; sophisticated. Haughty, perhaps, for those who favour the pejorative. Aristocratic in more than one sense, classy in at least as many. The Monochrome Set were effo…
Flying Doesn't Help
Anthony Moore’s contribution to the post-punk pre-wave sound of London in 1979 – light with pop, fronted with meta-punk attitude and draped in strings of keyboard theory. As someone else said at the time, The perfect release! A lovely collision of art, pop and punk from the megacenter of all things in the rock and roll era.
1000 Hours
Hula were founded in Sheffield in 1981. Three members (Mark Albrow, Alan Fish and Ron Wright) lived with Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire) and Paul Widger (They must be Russians, Clock DVA, The Box) in a villa called Hula Kula. After trying the bass players Alan Watt and Chris Brain (Tense, NOS) Hula recorded the impressive debut album Cut From Inside with Mark Brydon (Chakk, Moloko). Ingredients like cut ups, steady rhythms, and paranoia vocals blended together into a unique white funky soun…