V/A- FM-BX Society Tape 001 LP (S.S. Records, 2010)

S.S. "Records is pleased to present the first vinyl edition of the FM-BX Society Tape 001. Originally released in 1981 only on cassette, with a limited run of 200, FM-BX 001 was the first in a series of compilation tapes released by the staff of a radio station in Brussels, Belgium. Needless to say, not many tapes made it around, and very few survive today. I'd say that is a shame but with this vinyl release, the word will get out about the bands on this tape, albeit a few decades after its initial release!

FM-BX 001 features three bands, two from Belgium, one from Scotland. The Belgium bands are Isolation Ward and Unit 4. Isolation Ward are known in underground synth collector circles, as they had a bit of a run after their debut on this release. Bleak and futuristic, Isolation Ward fuse post punk with early 80s synth sounds and a DIY approach.

The stars of FM-BX are the all-woman foursome Unit 4. Little is known about the band or their current whereabouts. No problem because their music is all you need to tell you that they had something special going. By their sound, the influences are obvious: Kleenex, Delta 5, and the
Raincoats all reverberate here though less "slick" than any of those bands. Unit 4's aesthetics are more akin to the Petticoats and, at times, the Shaggs. Fans of current day lady singers Titmachine and the Dead Clodettes will dig. This is truly wonderful punk rock.

From Scotland comes the Topplers. If the name sounds familiar, it is doubtful that it is because of the band. One of the Topplers is a guy named Allan Henry, who runs the excellent DIY label Topplers Records. In fact, it is Allan who turned me on to FM-BX to begin with. His band The Topplers? Great stuff. Teens with an ear towards the TV Personalities, The Times, and Subway Sect. They only existed for a couple years but wound up on this tape and, as a result, with an opening slot for Golden Earing! These are the only recordings that exist. Had they come out at the time on a 7"s, I have no doubt DIY collectors would be fighting over copies." (S.S. Records)

Yeah, the Unit 4 tracks are truly on-point. Been bopping around the kitchen all morning to 'em. This reissue was pressed in a vinyl edition of 500.



Download Link: Removed by request from SS

SS056

A1 Unit 4 - Hidden Faces
A2 Unit 4 - Rules
A3 Unit 4 - Growing Up
A4 Unit 4 - Act
A5 Topplers, The - Pat Mc Gluskey
B1 Isolation Ward - Dangerous
B2 Isolation Ward - Trackers Of The Night
B3 Isolation Ward - High & Low
B4 Topplers, The - Slave Train
B5 Topplers, The - Flack Town

Kebab- We Live In A System (Softspot, 2010)

"SoftSpot has delved back into the post-punk archives and unearthed another virtually unheard gem. Our first full-length LP features the recordings of Kebab, a short-lived quartet of punk-minded Belgian youths. Inspired by the Crass Records DIY mentality, the burgeoning UK art-punk scene, and their own boredom, Kebab combined anti-political punk diatribes with sharp guitars, plodding basslines, synth gurgles, and spastic electronic percussion. The result is an aggressively sparse take on post-punk that remains fresh and visceral sounding today.

Side A compiles all their known studio recordings, including the sought-after "Life It's a Joke" 7" from 1982. Side B features select tracks from their original demo tape, recorded in 1981 and limited to only 30 copies. All tracks have been remastered from the best available sources, and are presented on black vinyl in a full-size poster package containing lyric sheet, rare photos, and a vintage interview with the band." (promo write-up)

Good stuff. 2010 vinyl-only reissue. Kebab's angular European post-punk sound is somewhat in league with The Slits (RIP, Ari Up), Siouxsie, Animals & Men, Delta 5, Bush Tetras and Xmal Deustchland, with a small hint of the synth stylings of (very early) Depeche Mode.



Mediafire Download Link: Kebab- We Live In A System (Softspot, 2010)

A1 Life It's A Joke
A2 Anti - L
A3 Hypocrites
A4 Weekend
B1 Girlsfight
B2 Sully
B3 Uber Der Ligne
B4 Rapist
B5 Faced White
B6 Hypocrites
B7 System

V/A- Vanity Records: Finest Selection 1978 to 1981

"Vanity records is one of the best Japanese music secrets. Sounds like New York's late '70s post-punk scene such as James White, Martin Rev or even ESG. Early techno gems, disco-punk and noisy landscapes with a real Japanese flavour. Founded in Kyoto in 1978 by chief editor of Rock Magazine, Agi Yuzuru, this label has a short but very interesting production. Only 10 long play albums, 3 7" singles, one double compilation, and few cassettes were recorded between 1978 and 1980. Some flexi discs were given with Rock Magazine issues during 1980. All of the records were extremely limited and released in editions of 200 and 500 copies. Most of the covers were handmade and nowadays original pressing are impossible to find and change hands for hundreds of dollars. Here's your last chance to get the finest selection from one of the best underground and experimental Japanese movement."(back cover)

Vinyl only release. 2010 French press. Probably bootleg. Even the record label is spottily translated: Save Music Before Loose It. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.



Download Link: V/A- Vanity Records: Finest Selection 1978 to 1981

SAVE 001LP

1. BGM- And
2. Sympathy Nervous- Inverted Type
3. Dada- Yuuen Inraku Gaki
4. Mad Tea Party- Hide & Seek
5. RNA Organism- Yes, Every Africa Must Be Free Eternally
6. Arbeit- Bundes Nachrichten Dienst
7. Aunt Sally- Aunt Sally
8. Morio Agata- ------
9. Normal Brain- Music
10. Perfect Mother- You'll No So Wit
11. Tolerance- Sacrifice
12. Kiiro Radical- Denki Noise Dance 3