The Bamboo Fringe - Someday

7" Single, released in 1985

The Bamboo Fringe - Someday (A-Side)

The Bamboo Fringe - Turn On The Lights (B-Side)

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Beijing Spring - We Can Keep This Together

7" Single, released in 1992

Beijing Spring - We Can Keep This Together (A-Side)

Beijing Spring - Talk It Out (B-Side)

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FX - Personal

FX was a new wave band from Melbourne, Australia. They released one album, Personal, in 1986.

Tracklist:

1. Maybe
2. Will It Always Be (This Way)
3. It's Over
4. Getting Better
5. Only You
6. I Hate The Night
7.  Wouldn't Believe
8. Hide Myself Away
9. Neighbours
10. Children of the City

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Zerra I - Mountains and Water

7" Single, released in 1984

Zerra I - Mountains and Water (DJ Version) (A-Side)

Zerra I - Mountains and Water (B-Side)

Zerra I - I Know (B-Side)

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Frontier Theory - No Waltz In The Meadow

Frontier Theory was an alternative band from Washington DC who released an EP Atlantic in 1987 followed by the full length No Waltz In The Meadow in 1988 on Top Records.

This was a find at the memorable Haggle Vinyl record shop in Islington, London.

Tracklist:

1. Don't Walk Away
2. One More Season
3. The One That Got Away
4. We're So Cool
5. Whirlybird
6. Summertime (a cover version)
7. Madeline
8. Call

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Personnel:

Michael Kelley (vocals)
Tim Kelley (guitars, vocals)
Kevin Kelley (bass guitar, vocals)
Robert Kelley (drums, vocals)

If you like this one, please let me know in the comments!

Picnic At The Whitehouse - Success

7" Single, released in 1987

Picnic At The Whitehouse - Success (A-Side)

Picnic At The Whitehouse - I Wanna Be (B-Side)

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The curiously named Picnic At The Whitehouse was a short lived collaboration between Liverpudlian Edward Hind, previously the vocalist and songwriter for Virgin Dance, and keyboardist Ilfo from Germany. They released three singles and one album, The Doors Are Open.

My copy of the single has a crack in it unfortunately, so these are rips from the CD and the 12" single obtained elsewhere.

Last Gentlemen - A Kiss For All Seasons EP

I've previously mentioned the Last Gentlemen  before - a very popular independent Illinois band. This is an EP which I think came out in 1985 after the debut album and showcased their move from a four piece to a larger, more organic unit.

I'm not sure if they released anything else before their CD for Zoo World Behind Your Backcame out in around 1992.

Tracklist:

1. Everyday (Your Love Wears A Different Face)
2. A Gift and A Promise
3. The Perfect Summer
4. A Kiss For All Seasons
5. It's Too Late

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Last Gentlemen on Facebook

Spools Paradise (Record Mirror)

Most music magazines these days give away CD's occasionally, although in my opinion it's usually a case of finding one or two things you like. Usually there's some sort of record label promotion involved. Back in the '80s giveaways were rare except for the occasional flexi-disc usually with some wobbly Christmas greeting from the talentless one from Wham or the drummer from Duran Duran.

Record Mirror gave away this tape in 1985, but there were some conditions. First, you had to collect consecutive coupons from the magazine, and then send off for the tape. The slight catch was the full tracklisting was not provided, with each week instead two or three of the artists being revealed. The promotion was designed to highlight the tape itself, a 60 minute cassette from Maxell (Type I, not the other Type II Chrome thingy). Obviously the tape product was pretty good, because it played quite nicely 27 years later so I could digitize the tracks.

Quite a good compilation for it's type, we have several RM favourites (Lizzie Tear - who never seemed to release anything at all, Del Amitri, Hipsway, Win, Virginia Astley). We also have the original version of "Opportunities" by The Pet Shop Boys, before they achieved chart success later in the year. Several tracks were exclusive to this release at the time.

1. Win - You've Got The Power
2. Pet Shop Boys - Opportunities
3. Lizzie Tear - Kima (Hey Ma Ma)
4. Brilliant - Ruby Fruit Jungle
5. Colourbox - Arena
6. Chakk - Turn The Sound Out
7. The Pogues - A Pair of Brown Eyes
8. Animal Nighlife - Love is Just The Great Pretender (Undressing Mix)
9. James - Just Hip
10. ABC - Fear of the World (In Cinemascope)
11. Tippa Irie - Complain Neighbour
12. Virginia Astley - I Live In Dreams
13. Hipsway - Forbidden
14. Del Amitri - Heard Through A Wall
15. Lloyd Cole and the Commotions - Rattlesnakes (Live)

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Kick City - Still Life

12" Single, released in 1986

Kick City - Still Life (A-Side)

Kick City - Come Back (B-Side)

Kick City was a Bristol band and this single was a private pressing. I don't have any further information on them.

Two People - This Is The Shirt

7" Single, released in 1987 (and 1985)

Two People - This Is The Shirt (A-Side)

Two People - People In Love (B-Side)

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Two People were Mark Stevenson and Noel Ram, who released four excellent singles between 1985 and 1987. Chart success eluded them however, and no album was ever released.

Mischievous Deeds - Wishing You Well

7" Single, released in 1982

Mischievous Deeds - Wishing You Well (A-Side)

Mischievous Deeds - You Got It Wrong (B-Side)

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I recently bought a half dozen "new wave" records on eBay for a couple of quid. I'll probably post all of them in the coming weeks, however this one is the strangest. When tagging the files I don't usually have a problem coming up with a genre description but this time all I could think of was "cheeky". I'm not very familiar with Safari Records except that they had English Evenings and Toyah on their roster in the early 80's, but I've no idea about this lot. This is a record that could only have been made by a British artist, in the tradition of the Kinks or Small Faces - just like the typical British cartoon postcard on the cover, this is a tongue in cheek paean to windswept English beaches, ice creams, bikinis and 'avin a larf. It certainly put a smile on my face. Maybe you will enjoy it too.

The Passions - The Swimmer

7" Single, released in 1981

The Passions - The Swimmer (A-Side)

The Passions - Some Fun (B-Side)

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The Passions were a London band active during the late seventies and early eighties and were most famous for their Top 30 hit "I'm In Love With A German Film Star".

Quite an appropriate single with all the Olympic swimming shenanigans at the moment.