Quadrascope- Baby Won't Phone 7''

Last but not least, thanks to a generous donation, we have a killer synthpop/minimal 7'' from Quadrascope, an obscure French band. Not much to be said about this 1983 release, as there's not a lot of information available, so the music will have to speak for itself. While the a-side is a catchy wave number in its own right, the b-side is truly the gem here. Those handclaps slay me every time! I'll let you decide for yourselves:



Quadrascope- Baby Won't Phone 7''
1. Baby Won't Phone
2. Love Times Love

*download it here*

Steven Grandell- Animal Angst LP

You may have seen this one over at Mutant Sounds in the past, but here's a rather clean and fresh rip of this classic minimal synth LP by Steven Grandell, self-releaed in 1984. A little more experimental than most minimal synth recordings, complete with jerky rhythms, strange instrumentation (violins, xylophones, etc.), and detached vocals, but still quite catchy in the end.

A few copies of the LP were once sale via Venus DeMars, but I do believe they've since sold out. Currently, the artist is releasing music as Venus DeMars and All the Pretty Horses, which you can check out here. Here's the info for this LP:



Steven Grandell- Animal Angst LP
1. Burn My Eyes
2. There's Got To Be Something
3. Confession Of An Innocent
4. Lead
5. Fear
6. Isn't It Time
7. Flight At The End
8. Great Big Earth
9. I Am Human
10. Radio Sleep

*download it here*

Krisma- Cathode Mamma/Nothing to Do With the Dog LPs

I have a pretty huge backlog of things I've been meaning to post, so I'm going to chip away at them over the next few days, so bear with me, folks! To kick things off, I've had several requests to post some more tracks by Chrisma/Krisma, so here's my two favorite LPs from this Italian synthpop outfit. Contained within this zip file are 1980's Cathode Mamma (the band's debut after switching from a 'Ch' to a 'K') and 1983's Nothing to Do With the Dog (aka Fido on some releases), their third LP. There are still three more out there, but these two should keep you satiated for now! Here's the info:



Krisma- Cathode Mamma LP (1980)
1. Cathode Mamma (Neue Version)
2. Many Kisses
3. Peggy Guggenheim
4. Rrock
5. Rien Ne Va Plus
6. Cathode Mamma
7. Telegram
8. White Knife
9. Last Chance to See Man



Krisma- Nothing To Do With the Dog LP (1983)
1. Nothing To Do With the Dog
2. I'm Not In Love (10cc cover)
3. I Must Know Your Name
4. Girls Drumming
5. Eye to Eye
6. Boys Drumming
7. Carefully
8. Find a Friend
9. Heroes of the Sea
10. Everybody Drumming

*download both LPs here*

For your viewing pleasure, here's the official video for "Nothing To Do With the Dog," one of the band's biggest singles and an international breakthrough at the time.

Colour Moves- Trees 7''

Here's a generous donation of a rare Italian 7'' by Colour Moves. This is their only major release, though it seems as if a few loose tracks were released on compilations up until 1990. This particular 7'' hails from 1986.

Fun fact- the label responsible for this 7'', Supporti Fonografici, is also home to some of the best and rarest Italian synth records, many of which have been posted here before. This 7'' joins the ranks of Chromagain, Weimar Gesang, Faded Image, and XNO, to name a few! Not too shabby!

I dig both of these gloomy, romantic post-punk tracks quite a bit, but the real standout here is the b-side, which is a little more driving and catchy! Here's the details:



Colour Moves- Trees 7''
1. Trees
2. Over Falling Skies

*download it here*

Cathedral of Tears- Cathedral of Tears 12''

Moving right along, here we have a 12'' by Cathedral of Tears, a US-based darkwave band with a danceable edge. This is the band's only record, released in 1984 on Enigma Records, which was generally known for dark, sleazy punk (The Cramps, Dead Milkmen, TSOL etc.).

Though the record does flirt around with a more new wave sound, the project was primarily an outlet for Jack Grisham, of TSOL, which explains the 'odd man out' style of this record. Either way, expect some good darkwave grooves here.

Also, I believe there were several muscians involved with the project, including a young Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle) on bass. I've stumbled upon some choice words about this 12'' from Jack himself:

"This is one of those mistakes you make that you can't take back. My dad died, I was going through a lot of shit...I stole the tapes. We had a record...we wrote a bunch of new songs, went in the studio & I stole the tapes. Our record company had said, 'There's no song here that will get radio play,' & I was like 'Bullshit, there is.' So I stole the tapes from the record company, took it to the radio station, & they were playing our song (Black Emotion) while I was driving away. (laughs) & it turned out to be the number four requested song on the station that year. With no record out. & then Enigma finally put it out. They finally put it out, but it was too late. I had already done the damage by the time it came out."

Neat, though I must disagree that this record is a mistake! Don't take my word for it, though- here's the info for 12''.



Cathedral of Tears- Cathedral of Tears 12''
1. Trap
2. A Situation Of...
3. Calm Storm
4. Black Emotion
5. Ballet
6. Whisper From The Deadland

*download it here*

Various Artists- Systems of Romance vol. 2

Ok, I lied- had a little extra time today to put the finishing touches on the second Systems of Romance compilation, so here it is as promised! Same as the first, this collection features several loose tracks I've had kicking around and have been enjoying for some time. These tracks generally comprise DJ sets of mine around here in NYC, but are also perfect for everyday enjoyment.

Since the first volume seems to be so popular (thanks for the kind words and comments, guys!), I may have enough tracks to make a third installment, so stay tuned for that in the near future. Without any further ado, here's the breakdown for this compilation:



VA- Systems of Romance Vol. 2
1. At Night- Jus Dorange
2. We Make Love- Puppets of Mankind
3. Een Ding- Toni Valen
4. Man Must Klavier Spiele Konnen- Menrwert
5. Bozsky Klid- OK Band
6. Kianzu- Boda De Rubias
7. Exposure of My Senses- Gravity Pirates
8. No Surprise- VHF
9. Hold On You- Bert Barten
10. Heaven Is In You- Jamie Wild
11. Tree Soldiers- Twelfth Night
12. Hemispheres Divide- Tek Noir
13. Siguelo- Tiempo 555
14. Galaxy- Antimation
15. Ice- Seeing Red*
16. Harmony- Calvin Twilight
17. Teenage Iceage- Suzy Andrews**
18. Entrer Dans L'Amour- The Graphic
19. Do You Read Me- Alastair Riddell
20. Outcast- The Factory***

*download it here!*

*This track, and it's moodier b-side, will soon appear on iTunes. Keep your eyes peeled for a proper digital file!
**The background melody should sound familiar.
***You can get this band's 12'' and 7'' over at Pheonix Hairpins. Different rip here!

Movement- Perfect Day 7''

I know I promised the Systems of Romance vol. 2 compilation, and that will definitely be coming later in the week, possibly as soon as tomorrow, so stay tuned for that! For now, I'd like to kick off my favorite month with a 7'' I've been meaning to post for some time. Contained within we have the debut single by French coldwave act Movement, released in 1983.

Generally a three piece band (with rotating members until their split in 1987), Movement released two full length LPs, a cassette, and two 7'' records before their demise. You can get their first untitled record on Contorsion (Baroque Bordello, Bonaparte's, Opera Multi Steel) over at Dreams and Voices. You can expect more of the same synth-driven guitar wave tracks as the full length, a familiar treat for fans of that Coldwave sound! Here's the info:



Movement- Perfect Day 7''
1. Perfect Day
2. Disfiguration

*download it here!*

New Music Showcase- Rainbow Body Records/Night Gallery

I know you folks are probably still digesting this week's onslaught of music, but I'd like to bring your attention to a fresh new record label on the horizon. I know I don't really touch on a lot of new music here, but I'm definitely an advocate of new and interesting sounds building upon a lot of the material posted. That said, Rainbow Body Records, based out of Chicago, has dropped only a handful of releases since their inception, but have quite an impressive roster under their belt. Acts associated with the label include the quirky and playful Konnichiwa, the darkly intense White Car, the lush Golden Birthday, and the hypnotic Robert A.A. Low (whose 2009 release should feel right at home for fans of Tangerine Dream and Conrad Schnitzler).



The label's latest release is a 8 track LP from Night Gallery, a italo-inspired act from Chicago, feautirng members of Gatekeeper and Golden Birthday. Recorded over the span of two years, these tracks combine warm synths, catchy hooks, and dark, yet soulful vocals. Definitely for fans of the Sequins and Spandex compilations as well as the Pet Shop Boys and Boytronic. You can nab a few tracks here:



---> Constant Struggle
---> Too Many Men

For those in the NYC area, Rainbow Body Records is putting on a showcase tomorrow (Saturday) night at Secret Project Robot, in Williamsburg/Brooklyn. Featured on the bill are all five of the aforementioned artists, playing one after another, with DJs Vernoica Vasicka (Minimal Wave/2vm), Beau Wanzer, and DJ Harrison dropping sets in between. The night is being put together by Todd Pendu, of Pendu Disco, who is also stirring up quite a string of local shows, not to mention the killer NY Eye and Ear Festivals, which I've had both the honor of playing and DJing for. Going to be a pretty killer night, so hope all you local peeps can make it! Otherwise, be sure to keep an eye out on Rainbow Body Records!

Various Artists- Systems of Romance Vol. 1

I've just finished whipping up few discs of obscure rarities for my DJ books, and partially inspired by Crispy Nuggets and his unstoppable series of loose tracks, I've decided to share these two with you. I'll post one of these now and follow with the second sometime next week.

Here's the tracklisting for this particular batch:



VA- Systems of Romance Vol. 1
1. Dream- Bino
2. You're Always Guilty- Vellum Stairs
3. Ein Traum- Dammerattacke
4. Seg Og Hor Jenten Fra- Knut Skodvin
5. Paradox- Thierry Meyer
6. First Impressions- VHF
7. Tanz Ins Gluck- Die Neue Weltmacht
8. Bronson- Eirin Peryglus
9. All That Place- Excentrique Noiz
10. Secret Affair- Industrie
11. The Cops Are Coming- Karnage
12. Interferon- Phillipe Laurent
13. Mole At The Circus- Slim Bridge & the Wildflowers
14. The Time of Your Life- This Perfect Day
15. Trading in Guilt- Vital Signs
16. Ond Mae’r Dawns Yn Mynd Ymlaen- Y Gwas Gwyr
17. Tell Me When Your Heart Beats- New Scientists

*download it here!*



Quick disclaimer: These are all exclusive/donated rips in piecemeal form, though on second glance, there's a little touch of overlap here. The entire Vital Signs and New Scientists records have been uploaded by none other than Crispy himself (different rips), while you can find out more about Eirin Peryglus by clicking here, and here respectively. Otherwise, hope there's enough new faces to keep you kids occupied. Stay tuned for Vol. 2 to follow next week!

Calculated X- Some Change/No Change 12''

Last but not least, we have the second 12'' by Calculated X- released in 1983. Taking over where their first 12'' (uploaded here, for those who missed it) left off, there's more of the same infectious new wave/post-punk grooves present here, with a slightly poppier edge. Let's dive right into this one, shall we?



Calculated X- Some Change/No Change 12''
1. Some Change No Change
2. Cool The Water
3. You Will Know Us
4. Don't Look At You

*download it here*

Don't forget- there is a CD-reissue of all these tracks available on X-Tracked records. You can grab a copy here, which I highly recommend if you enjoy these two 12'' records as much as I do! There's a few bonus tracks and live cuts as an extra incentive, so be sure to nab it while the getting is good!

Aaah...!- Input:Output 7''

Next up, thanks to a generous donation, we have the highly coveted second 7'' by UK minimal synth project Aaah...!, released in 1984. Many may be familiar with the band via their debut 7'', posted over at Crispy Nuggets. You can also hear the band's material at various DJ nights and clubs, especially those that focus on minimal/post-punk obscurities.

Here's the info for this highly coveted gem:



Aaah...!- Input:Output 7''
1. Input:Output
2. Neon Nylon

*download it here*

Black Sea- An Early Fall LP

THREE new posts to kick off this new week, so bear with me, folks! The first hails from Black Sea, a US-based four piece post-punk band who releaed just one (appropriately titled) LP in 1990. The band formed in New Jersey and had a sound comparable with early Cure, The Church, etc. with a slightly harder edge. The LP was released on a small label, the local No. 6 Records, but distributed by Rough Trade, which no doubt earned the band a small cult following.

Various sources allude to another released track, on a C'est La Morte compilation, but I can't seem to confirm it for sure. Feel free to drop a line if anyone has any further information on these guys. That said, here's the info for the LP:



Black Sea- An Early Fall LP
1. Washed Away
2. Immigrant Song
3. Hope
4. Mix
5. Killing Time
6. Darkest Days
7. Empty Fields
8. River Runs Red

*download it here*

Track 2 is indeed a cover of the infamous Led Zeppelin track, but with a fresh new take! Enjoy, and stay tuned for more goodies! I have a bunch of new stuff in this vein (more guitar-driven) so coldwave/post-punk fans, rejoice!

Fatidic Seconde- Le Drakkar (Sidonie) 7''

Been dying to hear this one for quite some time, so a million thanks to bx59cppw for finally tracking it down. Killer French new wave hear, one of the best singles of the era, hailing from 1985. Both tracks are unstoppable, though the b-side has a more romantic edge.

The band released three more singles before disbanding in 1988. You can get the equally captivating Métropolis 7'' over at Dreams and Voices. Without any further ado, here's the info for this one:



Fatidic Seconde- Le Drakkar (Sidonie) 7''
1. Le Drakkar (Sidonie)
2. Le Chemin D'Un Rêve

*download it here*

Still have tons of goodies coming up, so expect a flurry of posts over the next few days!

Figures on a Beach- Swimming 12''

Here's the debut 12'' by new wave/new romantic band Figures on a Beach, released in 1983. A little more poppy than I usually go for, but there's tons of great hooks and melodies here, especially in the title track.

The band formed in Michigan (relocating to Boston) and released three LPs and a handful of singles before splitting in 1991. Their tracks are generally cult staples of the era, and can still be heard in some clubs to date. After splitting, Chris Ewen went on to play with Stephin Merrit in the Future Bible Heroes project, a more new wave offshoot of The Magnetic Fields. Ewan provided the new wave/disco backdrop for the band.

Though I do enjoy the majority of the band's discography (including the Don Was-produced track- "Breathless"), this 12'' is my favorite. Here's the information:



Figures on a Beach- Swimming 12''
1. Swimming
2. Feel Like Glass
3. Decay
4. Everything But Heaven

*download it here*

Candidate- Side By Side LP

Here's the lone LP by French synthpop act Candidate, released in 1987. There's very little to be found about this two piece, but there are a few other releases of theirs kicking around, including a split K7 and a split 7'' with Gangrène. Would love to hear them, should anyone out there have a copy kicking around!

Otherwise, you can expect some killer minimal synth grooves, with a little bit of edgy guitar thrown in for good measure. a nice mix of tension and melody here. Sticking with today's theme, you can also find Strange Girl on one of the Tribute to Some Bizarre compilations... Here's the info:



Candidate- Side By Side LP
1. Strange Girl
2. Starway
3. On The Ice
4. Subterrateen
5. On//Off
6. Last Day
7. The Wound

*download it here*


EDIT: Turns out a different rip of this LP was already uploaded by bx59cppw, with extra information and links to the band's other material! Feel free to visit his blog and send some love!

Vibø- One To Many 12''

Here's something I've seen kicking around a few wantlists, and rightfully so. Killer minimal synth meets dark post-punk guitarwave tracks here from this Belgian band. This is their only release, though I'm sure most have heard of this band via the Tribute to Some Bizarre series. They remind me quite a bit of bands like Siglo XX and the previously uploaded Bildenzone LP.

Not much more to be said about this one, so if anyone else has any information to share, please do! P.S.- the grammatical error in the title seems to be intentional.



Vibø- One To Many 12''
1. Clinical Death
2. The Game
3. Clinical Death (Proloog)
4. Machine
5. World Is Ours
6. Grandma

*download it here*

X-Quadrat- X-Quadrat 12''

Almost forgot I had this one kicking around. Thanks to bx59cppw for the nudge! This is a classic German 12'', released in 1982. Four tracks of synth weirdness here. Post-punk rhythms, fast minimal synth arpeggiations, and a very NDW approach to things, all wrapped up in four short, but incredibly sweet tracks. The Tonträger 58 Hagen label also released the Kein Mensch 7'', a similarly great release.

Not much more to be said about this one, so let's get to the good stuff:



X-Quadrat- X-Quadrat 12''
1. Kauf Dir Die Freiheit
2. Immer Und Ewig
3. Der Digitaltanz
4. Information

*download it here*