Karel Fialka - Still Life (1980)

Here's an album I've been looking for over a number of years. Finally, this is my own rip so others can enjoy it too.

Still Life was Karel Fialka's debut album, released on the Blueprint label (a Pye subsidiary) in 1980. It included the hit single "The Eyes Have It" as well as another single "Armband" and a cover of The Doors' "People Are Strange".

Karel has hardly been prolific in his career, just releasing two other projects Human Animal in 1987 and Film Noir in 2009. His style is fairly unique, combining a pop sensibility, a willingness to experiment, and a sense of drama. Over the course of an album his vocal style grates a little - he tends to sing-shout and has a slight accent - but every track is different and succinct. It's easy to forget that this was pretty cutting edge new wave at the time he recorded it.

You have to admire the cover artwork (presumably an allusion to the track "File In Forget") but I'm not sure what the cutaway picture of the machine gun is all about.

"The Eyes Have It" would also be later re-recorded. This album has never been released on CD however.

1. The Eyes Have It
2. People Are Strange
3. File In Forget
4. The Cost
5. Rough and Ready
6. Armband
7. Still Life
8. The Good The Bad and The Ugly
9. Exude When I'm Bruised
10. Appointment In Samarra

Download [Link removed]


Update: I got a DMCA complaint on this one, which is interesting. I'd be more than happy to point people towards a place where you can legally obtain these tracks, either on a CD or as a download. As far as I know, there is nothing out there. If I'm wrong, I'd love to know!!

Hitlist - Good Evening Yugoslavia (1986)

Hitlist was a short-lived band with the following members: John Hoare (Guitars, Vocals), Horace Hornblower (Saxes, Clarinet), Dave McIntosh (Drums, Percussion), Gordon Riddell (Vocals, Guitar, Percussion), Duv Walker (Keyboards) and Neil Waterman (Vocals, Guitar). Their most well-known track was the dancefloor orientated "Into The Fire" which was released in 1985 on Virgin Records. The full length album Good Evening Yugoslavia followed in 1986. There was one more single released from the album, "OK For You", but that was all.

Hitlist - Good Evening Yugoslavia (1986)

1. Showbiz
2. Party Lights
3. Sunday Is For Sleeping
4. Mr Mercenary
5. Into The Fire
6. Good Intentions
7. Anticipation
8. Nothing To Lose
9. OK For You
10. Further On

Download

More trivia: apparently the single "Into The Fire" was released on the same week as the Bradford fire disaster and Virgin pulled the single.

Gordon Riddell sadly died a few years ago at the age of 46.

Additional tracks on the singles were "Total Isolation" and "High Treason".

Sons Of Heroes - Sons Of Heroes (1983)

[REPOSTED BY REQUEST]

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...

Produced by Bill Wyman, Sons Of Heroes consisted of Terry Taylor (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Geoff Grange (vocals, harmonica), and Carmelo Luggeri (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards). Far from new-wave fledglings, Terry Taylor had previously had a long association, nearly replacing Mick Taylor in the Rolling Stones and going on to perform with The Arrows in the 1970's. Terry went on to work with Bill Wyman in The Rhythm Kings after the short-lived Sons Of Heroes project. Additionally, the three musicians also later released a 1986 single called "Keep Your Distance" under the band name Rome.

Sons Of Heroes - Sons Of Heroes (1983)

1. Living Outside Your Love
2. Lost In Wonderland
3. Don't Make It So Hard
4. Love Insight
5. Hot Kiss
6. Strange Eyes
7. Dream Machine
8. Start of the Human Race
9. Stretched
10. All Broke Up

Download

Kiki Dee provided backing vocals, and in fact every track from the album can be individually downloaded (in low resolution) from a Kiki Dee website here.

In Pursuit - When Darkness Falls (1985)

From the album sleeve: "Originality. Sincerity. Insight. Traits not easily found in the media overkill of rock music today...until you discover the exciting sound of In Pursuit. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, illustrating that the Music City is the home of much more than just country music, In Pursuit is guitarist Jay Joyce, bassist Emma and drummer Jeff Boggs. In Pursuit creates an energetic pop-influenced style of rock and roll layered behind enchanting harmonies, with an emphasis on intelligent, thoughtful lyrics."

In Pursuit - When Darkness Falls (1985)

1. Losing Control
2. When Darkness Falls
3. Sacrifice
4. Witness
5. Cold World

Download

[Link updated November 2013]

Ask And You Shall Receive

Typical! I put out a list of obscure new wave albums, and which one gets the highest number of votes? Why, Russ Abbott of course! And why not, in these recession hit times why not put on a party album, pour a large one and dance around with a big grin.

Russ Abbott - I Love A Party (1985)

Side One

1. Atmosphere
2. Runaround Sue
3. Let's Go To The Disco
4. Y.M.C.A.
5. Let's Dance
6. Una Paloma Blanca
7. Multiplication
8. Happy Birthday

Side Two

1. All Night Holiday
2. Monster Mash
3. Give It Up
4. At The Hop
5. Uptown Girl
6. I'm In The Mood For Dancing
7. When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman
8. Beach Boys Medley

Vinyl rip at 320k, digitally restored.

Download Side One
Download Side Two

Hollywood Beyond - If (1987)

Birmingham, England singer/songwriter Mark Rogers, under the name Hollywood Beyond, gave it his best shot on If, an energetic, soulful techno-rock record produced by Bernard Edwards, Mike Thorne, Stephen Hague and others. Rogers' voice isn't altogether distinctive, but he croons and belts ably enough to be heard. The music likewise bends toward facelessness, but If's slickness, verve and variety keep it from being boring. Overambitious and premature, perhaps, but not at all bad. (Trouser Press)

Hollywood Beyond - If (1987)

1. Opening Scenario
2. Vision Of Love
3. After Midnight
4. Save Me
5. Crimes Of Passion
6. What's The Colour Of Money?
7. No More Tears
8. Metal On Glass
9. Shadows I Remember
10. Hollywood Beyond

Download now available legally from Amazon!

Any Trouble - Any Trouble (1983)

Stiff Records had great commercial hopes for this Manchester quartet, led by balding, bespectacled singer/guitarist/pianist Clive Gregson, whose songs — mostly about the unhappy side of love — have always shown real talent. It unfortunately took the group a long time to escape their basic facelessness and locate a sound, a slow start that may be why Any Trouble ended without ever receiving the acclaim they deserved. Any Trouble, by a half-new lineup, is the band's first great album (this being their third studio outing), a wonderful new blend of soul and pop strengthened by Gregson's sharpening melodic sense and lightening lyrical outlook. "Please Don't Stop," "Man of the Moment," "Northern Soul" and other tracks resemble a non-obnoxious Hall and Oates crossed with Costello and recorded in Motown; production by David Kershenbaum provides the sonic variety and sophistication previously lacking. Gregson's development into a powerful, sensitive singer is merely the icing on the cake. (Trouser Press)

Any Trouble - Any Trouble (1983)

1. I'll Be Your Man
2. Please Don't Stop
3. Touch and Go
4. Foundations
5. Party in the Streets
6. Northern Soul
7. Man of the Moment
8. Time Does Not Heal
9. You'd Better Not Go Home
10. Falling in Love With You

Download
or
Download

Faith Brothers - Eventide (1985)

I was looking around on the internet for details on a couple of 7" singles I found on soulseek a few years ago. Although I had never heard of the band before, I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only did they release two albums and a clutch of highly regarded singles, but that vocalist and chief songwriter Billy Franks had very kindly made almost all of the Faith Brothers back catalogue available for download at his website at no charge (donations are encouraged). It's very refreshing to find artists who actively encourage people to discover long lost music without any of the problems of format, distribution rights and band squabbling.
[UPDATE: The links were removed from Billy's website. As he is possibly the nicest man in the pop music world I will remove my link if he should ask. About time for a re-release, I reckon!]

Faith Brothers - Eventide (1985)

1. Eventide
2. Sunday
3. Whistling In The Dark
4. The tradesman's Entrance
5. Storyteller
6. A Daydreamer's Philosophy
7. Easter Parade
8. Dust In The Soul
9. Victoria Green
10. Secret Heart
11. The Sleepwalker

Download Now available from Amazon


Comprehensive discography of the band here

Owen Paul - As It Is (1986)

[REPOSTED BY REQUEST]

Owen Paul - As It Is (1986)

1. Pleased To Meet You
2. Somebody's Angel
3. My Favourite Waste Of Time
4. Sonny
5. Just Another Day
6. One World
7. Only For The Young
8. Prime Time
9. Pharaoh
10. Bring Me Back That Spark
11. My Favourite Waste Of Time (Jumbo Mix)

Download

Bone Symphony - Bone Symphony EP (1983)

[REPOSTED BY REQUEST - APRIL 2013]

Bone Symphony - Bone Symphony EP (1983)

1. It's A Jungle Out There
2. Everything I Say Is A Lie
3. I'll Be There For You
4. Piece Of My Heart
5. Dome Of Spheres

Bonus Track:
One Foot In Front of the Other
Personnel:
Scott Wilk

Nomo - The Great Unknown LP (1985)

Nomo - The Great Unknown (1985)

1. We Go To Sleep Believing
2. The Great Unknown
3. Dance The Dance
4. Let It Come Down
5. What A Little True Love Can Do
6. Wailing Wall
7. Killer Love
8. Red Lipstick
   
9. Slave For Love
10. Facts Of Life

Red Lipstick (Dance Mix) via YouTube

Personnel:
David Batteau (Vocals)
Tony Humecke (Keyboards)
Eric Pressly (Bass)

[Link updated September 2012 - I have now posted my own vinyl rip with full artwork]

Merrick and Tibbs - Call of the Wild (1982)

Merrick & Tibbs - Call of the Wild

1. Call of the Wild
2. Call of the Wild (Extended Mix)
3. Tiger Tiger

Download

Forever immortalized in the song "Ant Rap" (Marco, Merrick, Terry Lee, Gary Tibbs and yours tru-ly), Gary and Merrick (real name Chris Hughes) went from being the bassist and drummer with Adam & The Ants to producing a one-off single project in 1982.

Chris Hughes went on to perform with Tears For Fears and others before become a producer. Gary Tibbs is now the bassist for the reformed new wave outfit The Fixx.

Torch Song - Wish Thing (1984)

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...



Torch Song debuted as a trio on Wish Thing, an ethereal set of instrumentally subtle synth-dance tracks, given most of their character by Laurie Mayer's delicate voice and the gimmicky production. "Don't Look Now" and "Sweet Thing" are appealing, airy concoctions; a demento version of "Ode to Billy Joe" seems calculated to shock and/or offend but is nonetheless amusing. Intriguing. (Trouser Press)

Torch Song - Wish Thing (1984)

1. Don't Look Now
2. Telepathy
3. Ode To Billy Joe
4. Another Place
5. Prepare To Energize
6. Tattered Dress
7. Sweet Thing
8. You Said You Were Coming
9. Water Clock Secrets

Download

MySpace Page
Wikipedia Entry
Zigzag interview with the group in 1984

Endgames - Natural (1985)

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...



Endgames - Natural (1985)

1. Shouting Out For Love
2. Pressure
3. Natural Joy
4. Come Back Baby
5. Keep On Believing
6. I Cried
7. Somewhere To Run
8. If I Fall
9. All My Life

Download

RAH Band - Mystery (1985)

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...

The RAH Band was in effect one person, Richard Anthony Hewson (hence the initials) who was an acclaimed arranger, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Surfacing from time to time, the project's largest hit was "Clouds Across The Moon", which was a top ten hit in many countries, including an Australian Number One.

Despite this success, the parent album Mystery, which was briefly released on CD, is very rare with copies being sold for in excess of $200 each. Even some of the various RAH Band compilations now command high prices.

"Clouds Across The Moon" was re-recorded in 2007 and perhaps one day this interesting album might be re-released. (UPDATE - the album is now available on iTunes and Amazon MP3 on both sides of the pond.)

RAH Band - Mystery (1985)

1. Clouds Across The Moon
2. Night Wind
3. Sorry Doesn't Make It Anymore
4. Float
5. Mystery Boy
6. Are You Satisfied
7. The Shadow of Your Love
8. Out On The Edge

Official Website
Wikipedia Entry

Further investigation courtesy of A Kick Up The Eighties

Person To Person - Stronger Than Reason (1985)

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...



Person To Person - Stronger Than Reason (1985)

I've been after this one for a while. Person To Person was a band formed by ABC drummer David Palmer. The singles were "Love On The Rebound", "High Time" and "Reputation".

1. High Time
2. Love On The Rebound
3. Turning Back The Pages
4. Reputation
5. Right From Wrong
6. Still On My Mind
7. Poison Street
8. 4 a.m.
9. Wrong Side of Midnight
10. Running Out
    

Download

Personnel:
David Palmer (drums)
Lloyd Richards (guitars)
Jeremy Meek (bass guitar)
Dave Clayton (keyboards)
Pete Eason (vocals)

Troy Tate - Ticket To The Dark (1984)

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...

Armed with an impressive résumé (the Index, Shake, The Teardrop Explodes, Fashion) dating back to '77, singer/guitarist Troy Tate made his solo debut with the assistance of an eclectic set of musicians, including David Balfe, Nicky Holland, Virginia Astley and Woodentop Rolo McGinty. Tate uses his attractively husky voice and substantial songwriting skill — as well as deft electronic effects and complex arrangements — to put across ten melodic songs that approach modern pop from several different directions. "Safety Net," "Love Is..." and "Thomas" are the most memorable tracks on Ticket to the Dark, but most of the album is well worth hearing. An exceptionally good record. (from TrouserPress.com)

Troy Tate - Ticket To The Dark (1984)

1. Party
2. Thomas
3. Love Is
4. Winning Team
5. All The Way Up
6. Whip Crack Away (Factory Girl)
7. Safety Net
8. House of the New Breed
9. Lifeline
10. I'm Not Your Toy

Download

Thanks to Bob Edwards who made the albums and a brief biography available here.

Blanket of Secrecy - Ears Have Walls (1982)

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...

Not much is known about this mysterious trio, who released the synth-pop masterpiece Walls Have Ears album in 1982. Who were these guys? The songs were all credited to 'Tinker','Tailor' and 'Soldier' (in different variations) so that certainly hasn't helped matters much. There was a rumor floating around at the time that they were the Attractions (Elvis the C's backing band) but that's highly unlikely. What we do know is that it was released on F-Beat Records in the UK (as Ears Have Walls) and on Warner Brothers in the U.S (as Walls Have Ears). Reviews at the time mentioned the name Pete Marsh as the main-man of the band. Marsh was originally a member of Easy Street, a mellow acoustic act of the '70 whose ranks also included Richard James Burgess, who went on to produce plenty of synth pop in the '80s. (Marsh later appeared on Nick Lowe's The Abominable Showman album.) One of the tracks on Walls Have Ears, "Lovers", was written arranged by Jack Hues (then of Huang Chung, soon to be Wang Chung).

One of the finest pop albums of its time, Walls Have Ears remains one of many overlooked gems from the new wave era. This mysterious trio wrote pure and unabashed pop songs heavily influenced by the '60s and '70s and dressed them up in '80s clothing. Guitars float and shimmer above a synth foundation, allowing vocal harmonies (and some bits of brass) to roam freely in and out of each song. The haunting "Say You Will" is drop-dead gorgeous with its acoustic guitar riff and pained vocals. "Yo-Yo" could have been a massive hit with its classic hook bouncing around the room. "Remember Me and You," "Tell Me Baby" and "Love Me Too" contain all the elements that make pop music so enchanting and enticing. When BoS get all gooey on ballads such as "Lovers," "Close to Me" and "Photograph," the effects are mesmerizing. An album to love and embrace your whole life through. (from Allmusic.com)

Efforts to unveil the mysterious trio bore fruit thanks to the diligent efforts of Gary Maher, who disclosed the results of his extensive research here.

[UPDATE] Lots of developments in 2013 including a website www.blanketofsecrecy.com

Blanket of Secrecy - Ears Have Walls (1982)

1. Say You Will
2. Young Heart
3. Love Me Too
4. Remember Me And You
5. Long Cool Glass
6. Photograph
7. Yo Yo
8. Close To Me
9. Something I Don't Need
10. Tell Me Baby
11. Lovers
12. B.O.S. Theme
13. Feather In My Hand (Bonus Track)
14. In The Garden (Bonus Track)
15. Say You Will (Extended Mix)

Download (link removed - legal download available Feb 2013)

Wikipedia Entry

Simon F - Gun (1986)

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...

First solo album by Simon Fellowes, formerly of the short-lived New Wave outfit Intaferon. The single "I Want You Back" was a cover of a Hoodoo Gurus song. "Baby Pain" is a rerecording of an earlier Intaferon single.

Simon F - Gun (1986)

1. I Want You Back
2. Baby Pain
3. Baby Doll Love
4. Phones
5. Perfect World
6. Million Miles From Happiness
7. Hungry Life
8. Mad Man Drum
9. Dr. Christi
10. Here Comes My Laugh
11. I Want You Back (Dub Version)
12. I Want You Back (Extended Version)

Download

The Quick - Fascinating Rhythm (1982)

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...

1. The Rhythm Of The Jungle
2. Katy Can't
3. Young Men Drive Fast
4. One Light In A Blackout
5. To Prove My Love
6. Zulu
7. Small Blonde Box
8. Twisted
9. Sharks Are Cool, Jets Are Hot
10. Don't Take Me For Granted

Download