1980s 204 Items

Chbb was a project by Beate Bartel and Chris Haas that developed from their collaboration in 1981, while working on the self-titled album 'Liaisons Dangereuses‘. They released their music only on four limited cassettes.

This compilation presents the complete works of Chbb, including all recordings from their original cassettes alongside previously unreleased tracks produced by both artists.

An example of globalisation's ultra exoticisms: a Guinean hit that changed the perception of African music in European dance charts (selling over a million copies), covered by a Hongkongese pop star two years later, the perfect recipe for ensuring heavy frothing amongst diggers and collectors worldwide. Besides its aesthetic novelty, it's also highly effective on just about any dancefloor, a theme that sounds so familiar to many but then with the added unexpected surprised factor of the lyrics being sung in a female voice and in Cantonese -- a hard moment to forget on a well helmed club floor. Another generosity of this release amongst the other 3 tracks is a display of heavy Cantonese ballad prowess in the Adult Contemporary landscape, especially with a cover of Gamble & Huff's "When Will I See You Again", huge on the couples' slow dance scene, shameless drama.

Depeche Mode live on their ‘Construction Time Tour’. This is the recording of the first of three shows at the Hammersmith Odeon in London starting on the October 6,1983. The first tour with the then new keyboarder Alan Wilder.

WRWTFWW Records is very honored to announce the official reissue of Grauzone’s essential 1981 maxi single with timeless classic “Eisbär", proto-techno beast “FILM 2″, and romantic synth ballad “Ich Lieb Sie", just in time for the 40th anniversary of the Swiss band’s formation. The three-track vinyl is sourced from the original reels, cut at 45rpm, and comes with its iconic artwork on a 350gsm sleeve.

Originally released in 1983
Finally available in vinyl format! This record includes 'cat's Eye' and 'Kanashimi ga Tomaranai (Sadness Can't Stop)', both of which were produced by Toshiki Kadomatsu.

Originally released in 1980 Limited edition 180g vinyl Pressed on black vinyl Ride on Time is the fifth studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Tatsuro Yamashita, released by Air/rvc in 1980. This record includes everything from up-tempo songs to ballads, making it an absolute masterpiece beloved by many.

The Italo connoisseurs at Dark Entries have unearthed another hard-rocking jam. Alex Molo’s “Look At Me” was released in 1986 on Rainbow Records. Produced by Claudio Corradini and featuring Mauro Spagnolo and Steven Stefani, “Look At Me” delivers everything you want from latter-period Italo: propulsive digital synth basslines, anthemic chords, and reverb-washed orchestra hits. The “Dancing Mix” is engineered for DJs and dancefloors, with a heavier low end and a clearer mixdown, while the “Radio Mix” is more midrange-heavy and features additional synthesizer work. With original copies fetching a hefty sum on the second hand market, this reissue will excite both die-hard collectors and fledgling Italo-enthusiasts alike.

30th anniversary of Neneh Cherry’s classic hit album Raw Like Sushi (1989),“an unorthodox and brilliantly daring blend of R&B, rap, pop, and dance music”.
The album features 5 singles - includes the worldwide smash hit single ‘Buffalo Stance’ (number 1 US Dance Chart) as well as hit singles – ‘Manchild’ produced by Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja, ‘Kisses On The Wind’, ‘Heart’ & ‘Inna City Mamma’. One of the most important records of all-time. Listed as one of the "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".

We are honored to present the first vinyl reissue of French legends Martin Dupont’s seminal album from 1987, ‘Hot Paradox’. Martin Dupont was originally founded by Alain Seghir in Marseille in 1980. He enlisted numerous collaborators throughout the years, including Beverley Jane Crew, Brigitte Balian, and Catherine Loy. Martin Dupont was immensely talented with a rare dynamic between its varying members that was likely inspired by a combination of their magnetic personalities, creative vision, and the home studio where they recorded. Their music was colorful, enthusiastic, and delicate, but also melancholy and mysterious. A mixture of hot and cold, light and dark. They created electronic music that incorporated guitars, clarinets, and saxophones and is described by many as New Wave yet truly transcended genres. Aside from having been released as part of ‘The Complete Collection: 1980-1988’ 5-lp box set, the ‘Hot Paradox’ album hasn’t been available on vinyl since 1987. It is one of Martin Dupont’s most exquisite albums, illustrating the band’s mastery of synthesizer work, drum programming, and vocal duets. The album is vibrant and emotive, simultaneously somber and bright, theatrical and danceable. It is an essential album in the French cold wave, new wave, and minimal synth scenes, and in recent years, has finally received the recognition it deserves beyond any musical categorization. The Hot Paradox album reissue is pressed on 180-gram black vinyl, is accompanied by the original insert/lyrics sheet, and is housed in a heavy-weight sleeve featuring art by Yves Cheynet.

Originally released in 1983
5 dance-able tracks in Side-A were written, composed, arranged and produced by Toshiki Kadomatsu who met with Anri’s previous title “Heaven Beach”. Tracks in Side-B, Takeshi Kobayashi, one of Anri’s band member for that moment, produced them with moody & mellow tune. This title was the 1st one of 3 titles by Toshiki Kadomatsu.

Cult early performance in Amsterdam

2017 reissue. Still sealed with hype sticker.

Savage is the original ‘80s Italodisco pop star, worldwide famous singer and platinium record producer of Europop and house artists such as Zucchero, Alexia, Double You and Ice Mc. Composer and writer of various multimillion worldwide hits. His real name is Roberto Zanetti. Throughout his career he has used two different professional names, "Robyx" as a producer, and "Savage" as an artist.In 1983 he produced a dance single entitled "Don’t cry tonight", chose the stage name “Savage” and started his career as solo artist. The song was a huge hit in Italy for first and all Europe later and was invited to take part in many TV shows such as "Mister fantasy", "Discoring", "Pronto Raffaella", "Azzurro" and "Festivalbar". Thanks to the catchy melody and timbre of his voice, Savage quickly became one of the most appreciated singers in Europe, one of the creators of the “Italodisco” movement. From 1983-85 Savage was continuously on tour, performing about 300 shows throughout Europe, in Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, Yugoslavia, Sweden and, of course, Italy. In the meantime other singles, "Only you", "Radio" and "A love again", were released and included in his first album “Tonight". In Eastern Europe Savage is still one of the most popular contemporary artists. After more than 30 years, DWA is proud to announce the re-print of this album on vinyl, a special gift to all collectors of Italodisco’s hits.

Basking in the golden glow of an Indian Summer, Basso brings us a much needed reissue of one of his most treasured musical discoveries, Guy Maxwell’s ‘Outside My Window’. A long time favourite in the Growing Bin, this mellow masterpiece originally crept out in 1980 with no backing from its label, the soon to burst Bubble. Now resequenced and redressed to the exacting standards of Mssr. Maxwell, ‘Outside My Window’ is ready to warm the hearts and cheer the ears of a whole new audience. Born in Bordeaux under a wandering star, Guy spent the 70s on the road, freewheelin’ from Paris to Rome, guitar in tow, before settling in Switzerland at the end of the decade.

This is the official release of Axel F.'s Geronimo. Mastered from original tape by Frederic Stader. The 12" will feature both extended versions, same as the original pressing. The download will include the two single version plus bonus alternative masters of both extended versions with less compressing and more dynamics (more suitable for mixing). Remastered from original tape by Frederic Stader. Comes with full picture sleeve. The 12" will feature both extended versions, same as the original.

Minimal Wave presents ‘Recordings 1980-1982’ (mw077), a triple 7” box set by pioneering south Florida synth-punk band Futurisk, in honor of their 40th anniversary. Founded by Jeremy Kolosine in 1978, Futurisk recorded many songs and performed live throughout the early 1980s. Though they had released two 7”s that sold out, had a legendary live show, and even some videos, by 1984 Futurisk was history. Eventually, the main core of Futurisk would be the Jeremy Kolosine, Richard Hess, and Jack Howard line-up though much happened leading up to this point.

In 1979, the teenage Jeremy Kolosine won studio time and money in a competition with his drum-machine-triggered guitar-synth act called ‘Clark Humphrey & Futurisk’. He decided to form a band around the name to record a more punk release titled The Sound of Futurism 1980 / Army Now. It was an ambivalent anti-war anthem with Jack Howard on drums, Frank Lardino on synth, and Kolosine on vocals and guitar synth. Many live shows ensued with the line-up which included Jeff Marcus on bass and Vinnie Scrimenti on drums but in 1981 a rift between the band caused them to part ways. They continued for a bit as ‘Radio Berlin’ (no relation to the Vancouver act) and Kolosine, who had gotten absorbed in a new analog synthesizer with sequencer continued as Futurisk.

He recruited synthesist and recording engineer Richard Hess who had a myriad collection of Moogs, Oberhieims, and CATs. Jack Howard returned on drums and syn-drums and the lineup for the Player Piano EP was cast. The EP, like the live show, was a strange blend of punk, minimalist, and disco-influenced electro-pop, with drum machine triggered synths and often frantic real drums all led by Kolosine’s schizophrenic Bowie / Ferry / Foxx adulations. It was recorded by Richard Hess and the band in the rooms of a friend’s house. The drum sound, recorded in a bathroom, rocks, even today. Reportedly, Futurisk may have been the first synth-punk band in the American South, and their 1981 track ‘Push Me Pull You (Pt. 2)’ was an early pre- ‘Rockit’ excursion into electro-funk.

The ‘Recordings 1980-1982’ box set includes three 7”s, an Army Now (1982) Flexi 5” x 7” postcard, and a 16-page full-color booklet featuring unpublished photographs of the band, the history of the band, and an interview with founder Jeremy Kolosine. The three 7”s are The Sound of Futurism 1980 / Army Now which includes an unreleased track from the same session, the Player Piano five-song 7” EP from 1982, and the Ocean Sound 7”, which has not been released in this format until now. All three 7”s are remastered, pressed on heavyweight 70-gram vinyl, and housed in heavy color printed matte sleeves featuring the band’s original artwork. The box is case wrapped and depicts an early illustration of the band printed in black on white with a spot gloss. Limited edition of 600 copies.

Starting 2020 on high wheels, Parisian crew Discomatin picked an ultimate banger of the 80’s boogie era, Laying On The Sofa by french diva Isabelle Antena. Rare and expansive, the original 12inch here remastered for full effect offers two extended versions/remixes by Belgian electro and jazz-funk hero Marc Moulin and by American producer and DJ Mark Kamins. With her amazing voice and beautiful compositions/productions, Isabelle signed on this release two of her many great songs.
« Laying On the Sofa » is a Sade-esque song with a lot of rich harmonies sublimated by the strong rhythms of the 808. This Mark Kamins remix brings the song to its climax with kind of an housy extension with its strong synths and guitars parts before it goes back to the chorus for an epic ending. Back in the days, NY DJ Mark Kamins brought Isabelle to the famous Danceteria to perform. At the same time, he was recording some of the first demos of Madonna… Do you feel the vibe?
« La Tête Contre Les Murs » with his « anti-system » feeling in the lyrics is the other beauty on the EP. Remixed here by Telex member and jazz-funk don Marc Moulin, who became later the father of Isabelle Antena via her husband, the song written by her and her mother describes an old but still fresh feeling. Disillusioned, in loss of marks, with no directions: the words don’t miss to describe the youth and its feeling towards society. Maybe, this is why « you’re crashing your head on the walls » as Isabelle sings. Maybe it’s people trying to educate them in relation with certain norms who are in the end « maybe what the danger is ». With her classical and so french casualness surrounded by syncopated rhythms, Isabelle transforms this timeless topic to a song dedicated to all generations going through times of wanderings.
You may know Isabelle Antena other’s work like her French-Belgian synth-pop trio Antena which led later to her another band Powaga Sisters. Combining minimal electro, pop and samba styles, Camino Del Sol was one of her greatest albums. As a solo artist, she’s found particular success in Japan with samba-inflected nujazz and electro-pop compositions. Still, with her own words, this EP « means a lot » to her. Thanks to Discomatin, it’s now available to the real connoisseurs with an exclusive insert which contains lyrics, again with fantastic illustrations from French artist Camille de Cussac.

The Joshua Tree is the fifth studio album by Irish rock band U2. It was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and was released on 9 March 1987 on Island Records.

1981 was a groundbreaking year for the music industry. By releasing BGM and Technodelic in one year, YMO made a shift happen in Pop music. YMO introduced a new way of using samples and loops by cutting sound bites into fragments and reprogramming them with newly available computer technology.

180g vinyl.

Give Me The Night is the 1980 album by ten-time Grammy Award-winning American musician and singer-songwriter George Benson. Produced by Quincy Jones and originally released on Jones' start-up label Qwest Records, the album charted number one on both the Top Soul Albums and Jazz Albums Chart as well as number three on the Billboard Pop Albums charts.

180g audiophile vinyl.

All the Grooves Hit the Low-Frequency Targets: LP Mastered on Mobile Fidelity's World-Renowned Mastering System and Pressed at RTI!

Drew Schlesinger has been playing synthesizers and composing electronic music since the early 1970s. In 1986, he began developing third-party sounds for Casio CZ synths, leading to a career designing presets for over 200 products from 30 companies including Roland, Korg, Kurzweil, Alesis, E-mu, Ensoniq, TC, Lexicon, Eventide, and others. After a 20-year hiatus in the corporate world, he has recently returned to music and sound design. His latest release is the album Radar Signals (Recorded 1981-82).

Originally released in 1984
Due to becoming a big hit from her previous record, “Timely!!”, Anri was brought to record her next album in L.A. with producer, Toshiki Kadomatsu. The studio musicians that took part in making of this album include Leon Chancler・Ed Green (Dr)、Nathan East (B)、Paul Jackson Jr.・Calros Rios (Gt)、Don Grusin (Key)、Ernie Watts (Sax)、Jerry Hey (Tp) participated. From dance tracks to mellow tunes, the colorful and vivid songs on this album are truly the culmination of the Kadomatsu trilogy, and a prologue to the dance-ability of Anri of the late 80's.

Pressed on 2x 140g blue vinyl, comes in gatefold sleeve.

2020 reissue.

Still sealed with hype sticker. 2022 reissue.

/ You're Not The Man