1980s 128 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.

Synth pop trio Bronski Beat's 1984 debut The Age of Consent is a rarity in musical history - an album that both defined a generation and challenged the status quo. Its four singles, and particular lead single 'Smalltown Boy', have endured with astonishing resonance, offering home to all listeners dreaming of escape from their familiar surroundings and situations.

Every track on the album places the listener 'in the room': they are in it, living it, rolling inside each song's thematic meaning. Through the blue-eyed wonder of singer Jimmy Somerville's vocal pirouettes, they too take the punch of hate in 'Why?', question the bible with alongside a male voice choir on 'It Ain't Necessarily So', and watch the same crappy TV advertising on 'Junk'. They are part of the trade-off between lust and commerce in 'Love and Money' and the heated near climax of 'Need A Man Blues.'

40 years later and The Age of Consent remains as prescient and vital as ever as it did on its original release; truly transgressive - defiant, queer, and laden with hooks. To celebrate this important anniversary, London Records revisit the album across a series of expanded formats, uncovering sonic archival gems, new mixes, essays and more.

TRACKLISTING:

DOUBLE CD
CD1
1. WHY?
2. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO
3. SCREAMING
4. NO MORE WAR
5. LOVE AND MONEY
6. SMALLTOWN BOY
7. HEATWAVE
8. JUNK
9. NEED A MAN BLUES
10. I FEEL LOVE / JOHNNY REMEMBER ME
11. SMALLTOWN BOY (ABSOLUTE. EXTENDED REWORK)
12. SMALLTOWN BOY (PLANNINGTOROCK'S 'THE LOVE THAT YOU NEED' REWORK)
13. SMALLTOWN BOY (DAVE AUDÉ VS TALL PAUL REMIX) *
14. WHY? (SUPERCHUMBO MIX FT. NEIL TENNANT) *
15. SMALLTOWN BOY (THE KNOCKS & BRONSKI BEAT FT PERFUME GENIUS) *

CD2
1. HEATWAVE (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
2. WHY (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
3. RUN FROM LOVE (DOMINIC MAITA REMIX)
4. HARD RAIN (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
5. SMALLTOWN BOY (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
6. JUNK (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
7. LOVE AND MONEY (HUNDREDS & THOUSANDS REMIX) *
8. INFATUATION / MEMORIES
9. CLOSE TO THE EDGE
10. I FEEL LOVE (CAKE MIX) WITH MARC ALMOND
11. CADILLAC CAR (EXTENDED)

Selected from Alexander Robotnick’s hits catalogue and released in this form for the first time, this is a unique compilation featuring all Robotnick’s electro anthems originally released on Fuzz Dance label. A must have for all the italo-disco and synth-pop freaks out there !

“Everything here is a gem. Neneh triumphs with a seamless and unorthodox blend of hip-hop, R&B, dance music, and pop” 4 ½/5 Allmusic

Colored Vinyl reissue of Neneh’s second album – first UK reissue on vinyl since its release in 1992. On release the album gained favourable reviews (4/5 in both Q and Rolling Stone) with Allmusic labelling the album “magnificent and risk-taking”.

The singles “Money Love” and “Buddy X” charted internationally with album track “Trout” featuring Michael Stipe and receiving heavy airplay on US alternative radio. Portishead’s Geoff Barrow co-wrote and co-produced “Somedays” and “Move with Me” appeared on the soundtrack of the 1993 Sharon Stone film Sliver.

The Swedish-born, UK-based artist started her musical career in The Slits going on to gain global recognition as a solo artist with her 1988 single ‘Buffalo Stance’ from the album “Raw Like Sushi’. Always irreverent, unpredictable and stylish, she has now released five studio albums and collaborated with Peter Gabriel, Massive Attack, Michael Stipe, Lenny Kravitz, Geoff Barrow and Four Tet, won two Brit Awards and been nominated for a Grammy.

Synth pop trio Bronski Beat's 1984 debut The Age of Consent is a rarity in musical history - an album that both defined a generation and challenged the status quo. Its four singles, and particular lead single 'Smalltown Boy', have endured with astonishing resonance, offering home to all listeners dreaming of escape from their familiar surroundings and situations.

Every track on the album places the listener 'in the room': they are in it, living it, rolling inside each song's thematic meaning. Through the blue-eyed wonder of singer Jimmy Somerville's vocal pirouettes, they too take the punch of hate in 'Why?', question the bible with alongside a male voice choir on 'It Ain't Necessarily So', and watch the same crappy TV advertising on 'Junk'. They are part of the trade-off between lust and commerce in 'Love and Money' and the heated near climax of 'Need A Man Blues.'

40 years later and The Age of Consent remains as prescient and vital as ever as it did on its original release; truly transgressive - defiant, queer, and laden with hooks. To celebrate this important anniversary, London Records revisit the album across a series of expanded formats, uncovering sonic archival gems, new mixes, essays and more.

TRACKLISTING:

LIMITED 4CD+1DVD BOXSET

DISC ONE : THE AGE OF CONSENT - THE ALBUM PLUS
1. WHY?
2. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO
3. SCREAMING
4. NO MORE WAR
5. LOVE AND & MONEY
6. SMALLTOWN BOY
7. HEATWAVE
8. JUNK
9. NEED A MAN BLUES
10. I FEEL LOVE / JOHNNY REMEMBER ME
11. SMALLTOWN BOY (DJ 7" EDIT) - Bonus track
12. WHY? (REMIX) - Bonus track
13. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO (7" VERSION) - Bonus track
14. I FEEL LOVE (7" VERSION) WITH MARC ALMOND - Bonus track
15. RUN FROM LOVE (RADIO VERSION) - Bonus track
16. HARD RAIN (NME 7" VERSION) - Bonus track

DISC TWO : HUNDREDS & THOUSANDS - THE REMIX PLUS
1. HEATWAVE (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
2. WHY (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
3. RUN FROM LOVE (DOMINIC MAITA REMIX)
4. HARD RAIN (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
5. SMALLTOWN BOY (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
6. JUNK (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
7. LOVE AND MONEY (HUNDREDS & THOUSANDS REMIX) * - Bonus track
8. INFATUATION / MEMORIES - Bonus track
9. CLOSE TO THE EDGE - Bonus track
10. I FEEL LOVE (CAKE MIX) WITH MARC ALMOND - Bonus track
11. CADILLAC CAR (EXTENDED) - Bonus track

DISC THREE : CONSENT EXTENDED - THE 12 INCHES PLUS
1. SMALLTOWN BOY (12" VERSION)
2. WHY? (12" VERSION)
3. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO (12" VERSION)
4. I FEEL LOVE (12" VERSION) WITH MARC ALMOND
5. RUN FROM LOVE (US CLUB REMIX '85) *
6. SMALLTOWN BOY (US CLUB REMIX '84) *
7. RED DANCE
8. THE POTATO FIELDS
9. PUIT D'AMOUR
10. SIGNS (AND WONDERS)
11. I FEEL LOVE (FRUIT MIX)

DISC FOUR : IGNORE AT YOUR PERIL - THE RARITIES PLUS
1. SMALLTOWN BOY (CAPITAL RADIO SESSION, MAY '84) *
2. HEATWAVE (CAPITAL RADIO SESSION, MAY '84) *
3. HARD RAIN (CAPITAL RADIO SESSION, MAY '84 )*
4. WHY? (EARLY VERSION, MARCH '84) *
5. CRAZY MARAQUITTA (STUDIO SESSION) *
6. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO (EARLY VERSION) *
7. UPSIDE DOWN (STUDIO SESSION) *
8. SCREAMING (EARLY VERSION, MARCH '84) *
9. THE POWER OF THE GOLD (STUDIO SESSION) *
10. LOVE AND MONEY (EARLY VERSION) *
11. FIRST CHURCH (FEEL LOVE) (STUDIO SESSION) *
12. JUNK (EARLY VERSION 2) *
13. WALKING (STUDIO SESSION) *
14. NO MORE WAR (EARLY VERSION) *
15. GO (YOU & ME) (STUDIO SESSION) *
16. CLOSE TO THE EDGE (EARLY ALTERNATE EXTENDED MIX) *
17. HEATWAVE (EARLY VERSION) *
18. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS (STUDIO SESSION) *
19. SMALLTOWN BOY (EARLY VERSION, MARCH '84) *

DISC FIVE / DVD : THE FIRST CHAPTER - THE VIDEOS PLUS
OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEOS
1. SMALLTOWN BOY (RESTORED PROMO)
2. WHY? (RESTORED PROMO)
3. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO (RESTORED PROMO)
4. I FEEL LOVE (RESTORED PROMO) WITH MARC ALMOND
TOP OF THE POPS PERFORMANCES
5. SMALLTOWN BOY (BBC 'TOP OF THE POPS', JUNE '84)
6. WHY? (BBC 'TOP OF THE POPS', SEPTEMBER '84)
7. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO (BBC 'TOP OF THE POPS', DECEMBER '84)
8. I FEEL LOVE (BBC 'TOP OF THE POPS', APRIL '85) WITH MARC ALMOND
ORIGINAL TV ADVERTS
9. THE AGE OF CONSENT - TV ADVERT #1 (DECEMBER '84) *
10. THE AGE OF CONSENT - TV ADVERT #2 (JANUARY '85) *
* PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Blondie’s first concert in 17 years on February 10, 1999, at New York’s Town Hall, was an
emotional one. This show, brilliantly captured on the aptly named “Live”, features the founding
members Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, Jimmy Destri and Clem Burke and includes remarkable
classics such as ‘Atomic’, ‘The Tide Is High’, ‘One Way Or Another’, ‘Call Me’ and ‘Heart of Glass’,
as well as songs from their successful comeback album “No Exit” with the worldwide hit single
‘Maria’.
“Live” returns to vinyl in a magnificent Collector’s Edition. Fans can look forward to listening to
Blondie on Strictly Limited 180g White Vinyl in a beautiful 2LP Gatefold packaging featuring
original photographs from the concert in 1999.

J’Voudrais Qu’Tu M’Dises marks another official 12″ French re-issue from the Forest Jams label. Like the previous ‘Nathalie Letertre’ record we have a name on the front of the jacket but with little information behind it. What we do know is that Kelly Lane’s vocals sit atop this obscure synth-pop meets house meets slight boogie with a smooth aggression, equally cute as it is equally strong, funky indeed. For those that just want the music there’s an instrumental version on the B-side. Two extra versions taken from the CD are re-mastered and included on this release with a surprisingly dancey ‘radio’ version and a pumping/housier ‘version dance remix’. Let Kelly Lane’s “J’Voudrais Qu’Tu M’Dises” find its way to your heart.

Synth pop trio Bronski Beat's 1984 debut The Age of Consent is a rarity in musical history - an album that both defined a generation and challenged the status quo. Its four singles, and particular lead single 'Smalltown Boy', have endured with astonishing resonance, offering home to all listeners dreaming of escape from their familiar surroundings and situations.

Every track on the album places the listener 'in the room': they are in it, living it, rolling inside each song's thematic meaning. Through the blue-eyed wonder of singer Jimmy Somerville's vocal pirouettes, they too take the punch of hate in 'Why?', question the bible with alongside a male voice choir on 'It Ain't Necessarily So', and watch the same crappy TV advertising on 'Junk'. They are part of the trade-off between lust and commerce in 'Love and Money' and the heated near climax of 'Need A Man Blues.'

40 years later and The Age of Consent remains as prescient and vital as ever as it did on its original release; truly transgressive - defiant, queer, and laden with hooks. To celebrate this important anniversary, London Records revisit the album across a series of expanded formats, uncovering sonic archival gems, new mixes, essays and more.

TRACKLISTING:

DOUBLE VINYL
VINYL 1 : THE AGE OF CONSENT (2018 REMASTER)
SIDE ONE
1. WHY?
2. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO
3. SCREAMING
4. NO MORE WAR
5. LOVE AND MONEY
SIDE TWO
1. SMALLTOWN BOY
2. HEATWAVE
3. JUNK
4. NEED A MAN BLUES
5. I FEEL LOVE / JOHNNY REMEMBER ME

VINYL 2 : HUNDREDS & THOUSANDS (2024 REMASTER)
SIDE THREE
1. HEATWAVE (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
2. WHY (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
3. RUN FROM LOVE (DOMINIC MAITA REMIX)
SIDE FOUR
1. HARD RAIN (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
2. SMALLTOWN BOY (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
3. JUNK (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)

Expanded double-LP of »Exploded View« from Dutch minimal synth pioneers The Actor. Originally released in 1982 by Trumpett Tapes, the album was repressed for the first time by Mannequin Records in 2014, and is now coming back to life again in 2022, enriched by an extra full-length of demos from a 1981-1984 period.

Absolute Body Control was formed by Dirk Ivens in 1980 influenced by the sound produced by the likes of Suicide, D.A.F. and the UK electronic scene. Eric Van Wonterghem joined the project next year just after the release of the debut 7" "Is There An Exit?". They released together just some cassettes during its brief initial run, but this was enough to gain a following in and outside Belgium. A compilation of tracks entitled "Eat This" was eventually done in 1993 and a first edition of the collection "Lost / Found" was issued on CD in 2005.

Dirk and Eric took the project back on stage in 2006 and decided to re-activate it. They first re-recorded some of their classic songs for the album "Wind[Re]Wind" and then continued releasing new material and touring all Europe and beyond.

"Lost / Found" is the definitive collection of this minimal-synth-wave act and is now available for the first time on vinyl record with a total of 52 songs including 8 previously unreleased.

Limited edition of 1,000 copies with 4 records on individual sleeves, insert and numbered certificate.

On Back Up: Mexican Tecno Pop, Dark Entries brings us 10 divergent tracks of Mexican electronics from 1980-1989, full of skittering analog drum boxes and saucy synthesizer hooks. 8 of these songs were culled from the 2005 CD-only compilation Backup: Expediente Tecno Pop on At-at records. Also included are two previously unreleased cuts. This release marks the first time many of these songs will have appeared on vinyl; it is also the first ever vinyl compilation of Mexican New Wave and post-punk. While synth pop and obscure electronics from Europe and the United States have been extensively documented, much less attention has been paid to such offerings from the periphery. Back Up serves as a vital document of Mexico’s flourishing DIY scene in the 1980’s, surveying a wide range of styles and moods. By using home recording techniques, the bands featured here were able to circumvent relying on the expensive studios of the era. Tracks by Avant Garde, Vandana, and Silueta Pálida mine the kind of dreary-but-infectious wave that long-time Dark Entries fans will celebrate. Meanwhile, Volti and Artefacto offer a floor-ready pop sound that has echoes of NY freestyle, with Latin percussion and boxy beats. But darker turns are present as well, with Década 2’s New Beat-inflections and electro experiments of Syntoma and their side project Escuadrón Del Ritmo. Back Up: Mexican Tecno Pop was remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios. The sleeve is a neon retro-futurist design by Gwenaël Rattke. Also included is a 12-page booklet printed on neon green, pink, and orange paper, which features photographs, band biographies, lyrics, and liner notes.

‘Make It Big’ is exactly what Wham! had done by the time they released their second album in 1984. Featuring the hit singles ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’, ‘Everything She Wants’ ‘Freedom and ‘Careless Whisper’, the album cemented their place as pop icons. Now on vinyl for the first time in over 30 years, ‘Make It Big’ is available in limited edition white vinyl and black vinyl.

‘Make It Big’ is exactly what Wham! had done by the time they released their second album in 1984. Featuring the hit singles ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’, ‘Everything She Wants’ ‘Freedom and ‘Careless Whisper’, the album cemented their place as pop icons. Now on vinyl for the first time in over 30 years, ‘Make It Big’ is available in limited edition white vinyl and black vinyl.

Wham! exploded onto the global stage with their first album ‘Fantastic’ in 1983 and music was never the same again. Featuring the huge hits ‘Bad Boys’ ‘Wham! Rap (Enjoy What You Do)’ and ‘Club Tropicana’, the album debuted at #1 in the UK and sold millions of copies worldwide. Now on vinyl for the first time in over 30 years, ‘Fantastic’ is available in limited edition transparent red vinyl and black vinyl.

Nothing compared to Prince. As a performer he was known for his flamboyant style and showmanship. This was recorded during the Purple Rain tour, the album that spent 24 at number one and made Prince a superstar. Part 1 and part 2 together create the perfect combo where, accompanied by The Revolution, Prince plays all the hits: ‘Let’s Go Crazy’, ‘1999’, ‘When Doves Cry’, ‘I Would Die 4 U’ and ofcourse: ‘Purple Rain’’. An unstoppable songwriter, the multi-instrumentalist also penned plenty of hits for other artists until his early death 2016 at the age of 57.

Dark Entries returns to Mexico with Back Up Dos: Mexican Tecno Pop 1982-1989. Following 2021’s Back Up compilation, Back Up Dos delivers 10 more tracks of synth-pop and New Beat, 7 of which have never before appeared on vinyl. From mutant drum machine beats to irresistible synthesizer hooks, fans of the fringes of the 80s will find songs to stir their cold, dark hearts. But Back Up Dos does more than mine retro kitsch; it documents the development of a rich DIY music scene that is still underexplored. As affordable samplers and digital synths spread throughout the decade, post-punk and new wave gave way to more aggressive EBM and cyberpunk sounds. The scene also developed in opposition to the political climate of the times: the rise of the drug cartels and a reactionary turn in national politics. Using home recording techniques, these bands took cues from the electronic wizardry of the Human League and Wax Trax Records while reflecting the vibrant and chaotic Mexican cultural landscape of the era. On Back Up Dos, impeccable pop anthems from Casino Shanghai and Los Agentes Secretos sit alongside gnarled obscurities from Ford Proco and María Bonita, showcasing a decade of sly deviance and enthusiastic experimentation. This album comes housed in an 80s-inflected neon sleeve designed by Gwenael Rattke and includes a 12-page booklet with photographs, lyrics, and notes. Back Up Dos compiles synthetic music produced in Mexico at the crossroads from Tecno Pop to Post-Industrial, nourished by culture shock and stories of dystopian worlds.

Pioneers, that’s what we call them. Not properly a giant team, but a bunch of forward thinking producers. In the heyday of the italo disco there was some forward thinking, a new way to address the club scene. 1985 is the golden year and if you want to get to the core of the synth-pop experience look no further ! This previously unreleased compilation collects a series of unbelievable tracks. An outstanding vision featuring la crème de la crème of the early 80s scene. All the way from electro wizard Alexander Robotnick to the astonishing performance of vocalist Mya Fracassini, through the French connection of Bigazzi brothers of Mon Bijou.

2nd cd with 15 rare and spec.tracks

Record Store Day 2024 Vinyl Edition

Profondo Nero compiled by Cinema Royale Profondo Nero narrates a storyline that goes beyond the borders of Italy’s musical legacy. Cutting across the face of Italo disco’s leftfield musicians between the early and late ‘80s, Profondo Nero champions a multi-faceted sound that nods to the blueprint of Italo disco but tries to dig deeper. The music is unmistakably Italo disco but moves away from the familiar classic sound. Amsterdam based collector Cinema Royale stitches together eleven tracks from 1983 – 1989, celebrating a sound he fittingly describes as ‘leftfield Italo’. The compilation connects the dots between soulful disco (Louise Freeman – Mirage), synth-pop (Mark – Dreamland), electro-rap (Loukas Thanos – Jazzburger), breaks (Santoro – Lover Message), 80s dub disco (Jet Set – Love Break), Balearic (Isamar & Compañia - No Estas), boogie (Tom Hooker – Talk With Your Body) and proto-house (International Music System - An English ’93). Profondo Nero’s title salutes the legendary oeuvre of Italian horror director Dario Argento. His Profondo Rosso (1975) is a classic example of exquisite cinematic storytelling, boasting courageous colors, expressionist camera angles and an unforgettable Goblin score forming the ingredients for an intriguing piece of art. Profondo Rosso’s music, created the spark for a new Dekmantel Records endeavor led by Amsterdam based experimental film score connoisseur, record collector and DJ Cinema Royale. For those in the know of underground Amsterdam music culture, Arne Visser aka Cinema Royale is among the city’s longest standing record collectors. Born to an Italian mother and Dutch father, Arne was brought up on a diet of Italo disco in the 80s. Cinema Royale explains: ‘For Profondo Nero I took a plunge into the lesser known fringes of Italo disco. From there I tried to connect, among others, San Francisco boogie, Balearic, Japanese late era Italo-electro and synth-pop funk. I hope you can hear what I had in mind: an infectious showcase of my take on traditional Italo disco that will hopefully get a lot of listeners itching for a spin. It’s fair to say that lately this particular sound has seen a reappraisal and renewed interest. As a party-starting collection for entry-level connoisseurs or suave but lazy types, I hope Profondo Nero can be an education. I’m not claiming I’m the first DJ or collector to do so, but I did try do present something special by digging deep.’ It wasn’t my goal to unearth the most obscure tracks, instead I wanted to compose a compilation that takes you on a journey. ‘In my opinion the best DJs create something extraordinary out of illogical selections by combining music against all odds and showing different kind of moods along the way. There’s a certain amount of arrogance involved: you take the music out of its original context. But by doing so in a very conscious way, you might be able to enhance the power of the individual records. Hopefully each song on Profondo Nero provides an intimate and memorable experience.’

Rukatama is a Japanese singer songwriter from Tokyo. After years with idol band Melon Batake A Go Go , she started her solo career in 2020. Most of her songs and works are written and composed by herself. Her voice & music sound like a contemporary citypop dream, with rock, electronic and sometimes mellow, jazzy, folk influences as well. You can catch Ruka’s live performances around Japan or internationally, sometimes in the UK or Italy where she performed lately with Italian idols “Erisu”. Back in 2022 she made her solo debut album titled “Misrule” on NarisuRecords/via Ultra Vibe Inc, where the cd /album has been available most of the time during Sunday Girls events as in Japanese Major Record shops as well. Finally, Rukatama makes her first vinyl debut ever outside Japan, via Tanoshii Records.

1994 is a perfect mix between UK 90s broken music and classic Japanese city pop with some jazzy vibes, where Ruka’s lyrics during the last years had a huge impact on the Italian crew, inspiring the whole Tanoshii project.

Mellow is the kind of song in which you can hear Rukatama soul during some sunset DJ set. It’s the perfect food for Balearic/Tropical heads, as deep lovers lost in classic music from Mondo Grosso, Monday Michiru, Masters At Work, Blaze, King Street Rec.It’ won’t be the first time that music like Mellow could be played in classic parties like Body & Soul or Club Shelter Saturday Night event in Nyc as well.

Profondo Nero compiled by Cinema Royale Profondo Nero narrates a storyline that goes beyond the borders of Italy’s musical legacy. Cutting across the face of Italo disco’s leftfield musicians between the early and late ‘80s, Profondo Nero champions a multi-faceted sound that nods to the blueprint of Italo disco but tries to dig deeper. The music is unmistakably Italo disco but moves away from the familiar classic sound. Amsterdam based collector Cinema Royale stitches together eleven tracks from 1983 – 1989, celebrating a sound he fittingly describes as ‘leftfield Italo’. The compilation connects the dots between soulful disco (Louise Freeman – Mirage), synth-pop (Mark – Dreamland), electro-rap (Loukas Thanos – Jazzburger), breaks (Santoro – Lover Message), 80s dub disco (Jet Set – Love Break), Balearic (Isamar & Compañia - No Estas), boogie (Tom Hooker – Talk With Your Body) and proto-house (International Music System - An English ’93). Profondo Nero’s title salutes the legendary oeuvre of Italian horror director Dario Argento. His Profondo Rosso (1975) is a classic example of exquisite cinematic storytelling, boasting courageous colors, expressionist camera angles and an unforgettable Goblin score forming the ingredients for an intriguing piece of art. Profondo Rosso’s music, created the spark for a new Dekmantel Records endeavor led by Amsterdam based experimental film score connoisseur, record collector and DJ Cinema Royale. For those in the know of underground Amsterdam music culture, Arne Visser aka Cinema Royale is among the city’s longest standing record collectors. Born to an Italian mother and Dutch father, Arne was brought up on a diet of Italo disco in the 80s. Cinema Royale explains: ‘For Profondo Nero I took a plunge into the lesser known fringes of Italo disco. From there I tried to connect, among others, San Francisco boogie, Balearic, Japanese late era Italo-electro and synth-pop funk. I hope you can hear what I had in mind: an infectious showcase of my take on traditional Italo disco that will hopefully get a lot of listeners itching for a spin. It’s fair to say that lately this particular sound has seen a reappraisal and renewed interest. As a party-starting collection for entry-level connoisseurs or suave but lazy types, I hope Profondo Nero can be an education. I’m not claiming I’m the first DJ or collector to do so, but I did try do present something special by digging deep.’ It wasn’t my goal to unearth the most obscure tracks, instead I wanted to compose a compilation that takes you on a journey. ‘In my opinion the best DJs create something extraordinary out of illogical selections by combining music against all odds and showing different kind of moods along the way. There’s a certain amount of arrogance involved: you take the music out of its original context. But by doing so in a very conscious way, you might be able to enhance the power of the individual records. Hopefully each song on Profondo Nero provides an intimate and memorable experience.’

Operation Sole like the summer, hopefully, imminent; “Operazione Sole” like the 1967 song by Peppino Di Capri, considered, perhaps wrongly, the first ska in Italy, but certainly the first to talk about Jamaica and upbeat rhythms. The record you have in your hand is intended to be a testimony to how much the sounds born in Kingston between the '60s and '70s had a significant influence on local pop. With the first explosion of reggae in England between 1968 and 1970, as well as with the rise of Bob Marley to a worldwide cult phenomenon, parallel to the all-English phenomenon of Two Tone and the ska revival, Italy, always attracted by the new trends not only English, he certainly couldn't stay on the sidelines. Therefore these innovative and unknown upbeat sounds, derived from the blues of the 1950s and mixed with a Caribbean sauce, have also taken hold in the Bel Paese. It began as early as 1959 with the song “Nessuno” by Mina, considered to all intents and purposes a Jamaican shuffle, to arrive in a few years at blue-beat (I4 di Lucca, Claudio Casavecchi) and ska (Margherita, Peppino Di Capri , Silvano Silvi, Renzo and Virginia) and be exposed to the first reggae (for example Jo Fedeli and his Italian version of “Israelites” by Desmond Dekker). Thus, we quickly reach the end of the decade of the economic boom and the culture, styles, references change: everything becomes more busy (on a cultural, artistic and political level). After a stalemate phase that lasted more than five years, Bob Marley's reggae (considered a sort of new Messiah) conquers the planet, including Italy: the producers and artists, even at a high level, for a few years do not remain at all indifferent to this novelty and decide to introduce the "upbeat", primarily reggae, into the various pop repertoires: well-known names such as Loredana Bertè, Mario Lavezzi, Rino Gaetano, Ivano Fossati, Ilona Staller, Adriano Celentano, Edoardo Bennato throw themselves headlong into new sonic adventures, in a pioneering way, but often with excellent results. The "Operazione Sole" collection wants to take the credit, instead, of proposing and discovering lesser-known artists (with the exception of Gino Santercole, former associate and relative of Il Molleggiato), often real meteors in the Italian musical panorama, who have tried to achieve (or achieve again) success by adapting the pop that was so popular in those years to the new black sounds prevailing in the West. We are in the early 80s and we range from the most classic reggae, to Italo-disco contaminated by dub up to the true Neapolitan style which, on more than one occasion, in its being endemically "black" and full of groove, has wrung out the watch out for agreements made in Kingston and London. “Operation Sun”: a pleasant philological work, but surrounded by an equally pleasant aura of disengagement.

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.

Cult early performance in Amsterdam

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).

first LP of Linda Jo Rizzo!

Minimal Wave is thrilled to present a long-awaited LP showcasing previously unreleased gems from the influential UK duo, Vicious Pink. Originating from a serendipitous encounter in a smoky Leeds nightclub back in 1979, Josephine Warden and Brian Moss embarked on a musical journey that would redefine the synth-pop landscape. Initially known as Vicious Pink Phenomena, they made their mark by providing distinctively off-kilter backing vocals for their friends in Soft Cell a collaboration that unfolded organically and without rehearsal. Transitioning to the simplified moniker Vicious Pink, the duo continued to captivate audiences with their avant-garde sound, releasing a string of singles that defied conventional expectations and climbed the UK dance charts between 1982 and 1986. Despite their modest intentions, their music proved to be both artful and provocative, leaving an enduring legacy in the annals of electronic music history. 'Unexpected' offers listeners a glimpse into the duo's creative process, compiling pop experiments recorded spontaneously, some in collaboration with Dave Ball. Each LP is housed in a deluxe glossy heavyweight sleeve, featuring captivating artwork that reflects the essence of Vicious Pink's sonic universe. Limited to 999 copies, pressed on high-quality 160 gram Coke bottle clear vinyl, this release promises to be a collector's dream. Included with every LP, is a 5” x 7” postcard adorned with an exclusive, unpublished photograph of Brian, Jose, and Dave, providing fans with a personal memento of this remarkable musical journey. Release date: May 21st, 2024. Get ready to discover the magic of Vicious Pink in 'Unexpected.’

Smoke coloured vinyl. German reissue from 2021. Copy n° 002158

Dark Entries is pleased to announce a deluxe reissue of Sexual Harrassment’s 1983 opus I Need A Freak. Lynn Tolliver, DJ/Program Director at Cleveland’s Wzak, adopted the pseudonym David Payton in order to keep his musical endeavors separate from his public persona. Sexual Harrassment (misspelled deliberately) was formed as a concept band, with members selected based on appearance and choreographic skill rather than musical ability. Tolliver’s explicit lyrics focused on the central themes of desire and sexual relations. Working at a studio in Akron, he recorded an album of quirky-yet-lurid electro funk, which was released on Heat Records. Tolliver remarks, “I learned as a youngster, sex sells! The things that are rated the worst – violence, horror and sex – are the things people want to see or hear about.” I Need a Freak was a surprise hit, selling over 100,000 copies. I Need A Freak is presented here for the first time on double LP, pressed at 45 rpm for maximum DJ-friendliness. While the album’s naughtier moments seem quaint by contemporary standards, the fusion of lo-fi funk and disaffected vocals still stuns today. On the eternal electro-raunch anthem “I Need a Freak”, minimalism serves to highlight the lasciviousness of the deadpan lyrics, which were inspired by Lourdes Figueroa, Tolliver’s girlfriend at the time. Tolliver’s whimsy shines on tracks like “If I Gave You a Party” and “K.I.S.S.I.N.G.”, which contrast nursery rhyme structures with decidedly R-rated lyrics. “Exercise Your Ass Off” lampoons the home exercise craze, but with a more-than-suggestive sexual bent. Also included are two bonus cuts, “We Want Prince” and “These Are The Things That I Like”, previously released as singles in 1984 and 1986, respectively. “We Want Prince” is both a homage to the Purple one and a gentle satire of obsessive fandom. I Need A Freak has been remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios. The album comes in a gatefold sleeve featuring the original artwork. Included are lyrics, photos, and liner notes by Lynn Tolliver and drummer Dale Jackson. Tolliver’s sly provacateurship is best captured by the quote: “It’s funny – without sex, mankind is dead, yet we hide the very thing we need.”

Copy closer to NM

Named after one of the basic rhythms of Cuban folk music and drawing on influences from across the globe, Cho Co Pa Co Cho Co Quin Quin are quite simply a world unto itself. Comprised of three childhood friends, Daido, Yuta and So, who reconnected during the coronavirus pandemic, Cho Co Pa initially emerged as a playful way for the three 23-year-olds to pass the time. Tapping into their youthful connection, they created a sound that exudes confidence and curiosity, a homage to the masterful world of YMO’s and Happy End’s Haruomi Hosono, rooted in the trio’s own idiosyncratic experience of the present. Recorded at home and promoted on hugely popular DIY TikTok videos, their debut album Tradition is a technicolour exercise in armchair travelling – a kind of lockdown exotica for the housebound whose nostalgic flights of fancy are laced with a sense of whimsical melancholy for the lost freedoms of youth. Referencing everything from Afro-Cuban percussion to lo-fi beats, Buddhist spirituality to trap, each member of the band brings different musical inspirations to the table. Latin American and Middle Eastern styles sit adjacent to a fascination for the electronic music of Aphex Twin, Dorian Concept, Underworld and Daft Punk. At times, the music verges on acid pop bliss, at others, it grooves with the instrumental funk sensibility of Badbadnotgood. “In the first place, when I create a song, my goal is to transport the listener to a mysterious place,” vocalist Daido explained in a recent magazine interview. Using lyrics as another sonic texture in the composition of ideas, Cho Co Pa paint beguiling sonic postcards of far-flung moods across 12 highly original tracks. Marrying the organic and the electronic on rhythmically sophisticated compositions like ‘Chichibu’ and ‘Watatsumi’, it is on the album’s standout track ‘Gandhara’ that the experimental sound of Cho Co Pa comes to the fore. Referencing the ancient city of Gandhara through which Buddhism made its way from India to China, the track is a vocoder-trap-inspired, Udu drum-driven pop jam that lilts with unmistakable Balearic flair. If that’s difficult to imagine, then know simply that ‘Gandhara’ sounds like nothing else on this side of Saturn. Even Daido seemed surprised by the outcome: “I feel like we were able to create something that exceeded our abilities. That was huge!” Hugely popular in Japan, with festival appearances lined up alongside Badbadnotgood at Asagiri Jam in October, it's safe to say the success of Tradition has taken Cho Co Pa by surprise. Released digitally in July 2023, Tradition will get a full international vinyl release in January 2024. You won’t have heard anything like it.

Soundway’s telescope to forgotten and lesser known musical realms extends to Argentina on a brand new, triple vinyl compilation, Síntesis Moderna: An Alternative Vision Of Argentinian Music 1980-1990. A digital rewilding of computer and synth powered music, dripping with an impressive variety of influence, from Italo disco, electro-funk, post punk, tango, ambience, jazz-fusion, Afro-folk and techno pop. The record is a cultural document of a musical decade transformed after the lifting of restrictions of English language music post Falklands War, and the end of Argentina’s military dictatorship.

Wham! exploded onto the global stage with their first album ‘Fantastic’ in 1983 and music was never the same again. Featuring the huge hits ‘Bad Boys’ ‘Wham! Rap (Enjoy What You Do)’ and ‘Club Tropicana’, the album debuted at #1 in the UK and sold millions of copies worldwide. Now on vinyl for the first time in over 30 years, ‘Fantastic’ is available in limited edition transparent red vinyl and black vinyl.