Perfect Jewish Couple- Ménage À Trois 7''

Here's another oddball minimal synth gem I've had sitting in the upload queue for some time now. A rare entry from the United States, Ohio to be exact, dating back to 1985. You have two mixes of the catchy and quirky single here, backed with a more atmospheric track on the flip. I personally prefer the b-side, but especially enjoy the duality of this release.

You can hear more from the band on a 2007 CD reissue, which features some unreleased gems and "The Fall." This release was prompted by several inquiries from fans and collectors over the years. Read more about the band's history (complete with a comprensive bio and gear-list) here, and be sure to pick up a copy of Time Capsule by clicking here!



Perfect Jewish Couple- Ménage À Trois 7''
1. Step Back (Extended Version)
2. Step Back
3. The Fall

*download it here*

Dorian Gray- Promise of Love 7''

Picked this 7'' from 1985 up at one of my favorite NYC record shops, the newly unveiled Heaven Street Records in Greenpoint. Bears no relation to either the Dorian Gray posted here, or the Dorian Grey posted here, though both are worth checking out as well. Seems to be a popular name for those in the pre-Google age!

What we have here are two tracks from the UK wave scene that strike a balance between Into a Circle and Crocodiles-era Echo and the Bunnymen. Not shocking to hear the band once supported Gene Loves Jezebel, as there's a melodic post-punk vibe running through this single. The b-side is a more percussive and groove-oriented remix of the title track, for those who appreciate that sort of thing. Dig it:



Dorian Gray- Promise of Love 7''
1. Promise Of Love
2. Miles Away

*download it here*

There's another 12'' from 1986 out there, priced a little higher than this 7''. Hope to snag and share that one sometime soon, so stay tuned. There's also a video for 'Promise of Love' kicking around on YouTube, linked for your viewing pleasure:

Alan Shearer- Dark Is the Color LP

Sorry for the onslaught of posts, folks! Got ants in the pants, I guess- lots of cool things I'm excited about posting in the new year. This one was just sent to me this morning by Mr. BX, and since I've been dying to hear it for some time, I figured some of you might be anxious to hear it as well.

Contained within we have the second LP from French musician Alan Shearer, released in 1985. I included the final track on this LP in the recent Systems of Romance compilation post, so some of you may already be familiar with this album's general vibe. You can expect more of the same instrumental synth grooves here, some more melodic and ambient than others. Reminds me of a cross between Tangerine Dream and some of John Carpenter's more dancefloor electronic tracks. Definitely an interesting listen!



Alan Shearer- Dark Is the Color LP
1. The Heart Patrol
2. Dark Is The Color
3. Generation V
4. Chronomaster
5. Nocturnal March
6. The Flea Age
7. Tropical Terminal
8. Only For One Girl
9. Blackstone
10. Down Town
11. Sons Of The Snake

*download it here*

Mad Matrix- Men Alone 7''

Here's a classic disco cut for fans of the genre. Belgian disco with italo leanings, released in 1985. Naturally, several versions of the a-side track exist. The 7'' edit is present here, alongside an exclusive b-side not on any of the other singles. For those who can't get enough of this jam, you can get the 12'' extended mix (special club version) by clicking here. Beware the downtuned synth lines! Definitely a killer track in any incarnation.



Mad Matrix- Men Alone 7''
1. Men Alone
2. We Are Mad Matrix

*download it here*

and again, nab the Special Club Version of the track here!

Nemesy- Nemesy LP

Up on the slab today is an underrated classic italo LP by Nemesy, released in 1985. As with most italo projects, I can't seem to dig up any concrete information about the parties involved, except that there seems to be three main contributors, judging from album artwork and scattered credits. Paolo Bocchi (Passengers, F.A.S., David Gray) was also involved with the mixing process for this LP.

Expect some fantastic glossy hooks here, smooth female vocals, killer instrumentals, and everything else you'd expect from an essential italo LP. Both versions of 'Arabian Sacrifice' are among the standouts, as well as 'I Wanna Dance' and '24 Hours, two singles released before the LP. Here's the details:



Nemesy- Nemesy LP
1. 24 Hours
2. Touch
3. Arabian Sacrifice (Sacrifice Version)
4. You Can, You Can
5. We Play The Music
6. Arabian Sacrifice (Arabian Version)
7. I Wanna Dance

*download it here*

Fatidic Seconde- Le Drakkar (Sidonie) 7''

Been dying to hear this one for quite some time, so a million thanks to bx59cppw for finally tracking it down. Killer French new wave hear, one of the best singles of the era, hailing from 1985. Both tracks are unstoppable, though the b-side has a more romantic edge.

The band released three more singles before disbanding in 1988. You can get the equally captivating Métropolis 7'' over at Dreams and Voices. Without any further ado, here's the info for this one:



Fatidic Seconde- Le Drakkar (Sidonie) 7''
1. Le Drakkar (Sidonie)
2. Le Chemin D'Un Rêve

*download it here*

Still have tons of goodies coming up, so expect a flurry of posts over the next few days!

Troubled Gardens- Eden Revisited 12''

Just found a sealed (!) copy of this killer 12'' for super cheap, so figured I'd share it for you all. I can't seem to find a ton of information about Troubled Gardens, but expect some bass-heavy and driving post-punk/coldwave sort of vibe here, hailing from the United States. Three of the songs here are vocal ragers, while the other three are more dub-inspired jams.

This 12'' was released in 1985 by Fountain of Youth records, home to bands like The Crippled Pilgrims, Government Issue, and The Velvet Monkeys. This is one of their final releases. Here's the information:



Troubled Gardens- Eden Revisited 12''
1. Voice Carryovers
2. Incredible Changing Dub
3. Silent City
4. Domination Dub
5. Hour Of The Sun
6. Spy Dub

*download it here*

REUPLOADED- track 1 should no longer be corrupt!

Modern Dance- ...It's Just All To Dance To 12''

Here's one of my favorite guitar-based 12 inches. You may have seen this one posted over at the always amazing bx59cppw blog, but here's a clearer rip for any interested parties.

I believe these folks were German, and released their lone 12'' on a local subsidary of Rough Trade, which should certainly be testament to its quality. Some great angsty guitar/post-punk tracks here, catchy as well. The record dropped in 1985. Here's the details:



Modern Dance- ...It's Just All To Dance To 12''
1. A Day's Wait
2. For U.
3. Between The Moments
4. Near To You
5. This Is Me
6. The Victim

*download it here*

Abecedarians- Smiling Monarchs 12''

Apologies for the overwhelming amount of posts today- feeling a bit productive, I suppose. Here's the 1985 debut 12'' by Los Angeles' Abecedarians, one of the only American releases on Factory. Of course, the band would sign to Caroline to release the bulk of their material, most of which they were unhappy with. You can nab the band's posthumous early recordings collection here on these back pages, where you can read a bit more about the band as well. Without any further ado, here's the info for this 12'':



Abecedarians- Smiling Monarchs 12''
1. Smiling Monarchs
2. Benway's Carnival

*download it here*

Voices- Memories' Fade 12''

Here's a 4 track EP from Italian post-punk band Voices, released in 1985. As far as I can tell, this is their only release, but bands such as Neon, Pankow, and DIaframma also appeared on Contempo Records. Contempo also served as distribution for 4AD bands such as Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance.

As for this EP, the first track is as dark as they come, while the others range from driving post-punk to sombre piano dirges. Definitely for fans of the dark Italian sound. Here's the information:



Voices- Memories' Fade 12''
1. Marble
2. Eucharistic Death
3. L'Idee Du Bien
4. Hands On My Soul

*download it here*

Few Boys- Secret Times 7 & 12''

Been meaning to upload this one for ages. Classic new beat/synthpop single from Few Boys, a band on the infamous Westside Music label, best known as the home of Moskwa TV. This 1985 single is the band's only release. The 12'' version of the track is a DJ staple of mine, and has made its way into the majority of my playlists over the years.

Expect giant beats, shameless hooks, and an infectious chorus that's impossible to resist. You can probably put this one in a league with Depeche Mode, Anything Box, Red Flag, Camouflage, etc. The 12'' version of "Secret Times" is a bit longer (and a bit better quality, sourced from my own collection), but the 7'' features an exclusive b-side, so I've uploaded both. Here's the info:



Few Boys- Secret Times 7''
1. Secret Times
2. Flash & Pain

Few Boys- Secret Times 12'
1. Secret Times (12'' Version)
2. Secret Times (Secret Dub)

*download both here*

Echo Prism- Jade Flower 7''

Here's a one off coldwave single dating back to 1985. Little is known about Echo Prism, but judging from the artwork, it's safe to assume the band was a three piece, and self-released this without help from a label. You can expect some child-like synths, minimal drum machines, and some driving post-punk guitars from both sides of this 7''. Simple and primitive, but always effective. Enjoy!



Echo Prism- Jade Flower 7''
1. Jade Flower
2. Mere Albion

*download it here*

U-Bahn X- Young Hearts of Europe 12''

Just snagged this killer 12'' from a shop in Brooklyn, so figured I'd kick the week off with a fresh rip. This 1985 single seems to be this German band's only release, and this particular 12'' hails from 1985 and consists of two killer dance remixes and an exclusive track, also remixed. Think Clan of Xymox, early Ministry, and other big beat classics.

A 7'' containing the original versions of both tracks does exist, but I haven't tracked it down just yet. In the interim, here's the 12'' version, complete with an exclusive remix plucked from the Tribute to Flexi-Pop series.



U-Bahn X- Young Hearts of Europe 12''
1. Young Hearts of Europe (Essential Mega-Mix)
2. Young Hearts of Europe (Valkyrie Mega-Mix)
3. Kiss of Death (Punishment Mix)

Bonus Track- Young Hearts of Europe (Valhalla Mega-Mix)

*download it here

Ann Summer- Baby Doll - Play Suite K7

Here's something from the other side of the K7 spectrum. Whereas my last post featured a rare post-punk/gothic cassette, this one contains a more experimental/minimal release from Ann Summer, a Swedish two piece.

The release contains several short bursts of experimental synths and cold, gloomy vocals, ending with the catchiest and longest of the lot. Definitely an out there release, but the final track does make for some great dance floor electronics. An interesting tidbit: this cassette was released in 1985 by Neuköln Records, the Swedish label also responsible for the majority of 18:e Oktober's releases, as well as a pair by Glenn Winter. Both bands are like-minded peers to Ann Summer, combining experimental rhythms with catchy electronics.

With that in mind, here's the info:



Ann Summer- Baby Doll - Play Suit K7
1. Ann Summer I
2. Gordisk Knut
3. Delirium
4. Ann Summer II
5. Hemisfären (Endymion)
6. Plastisk Population
7. Ann Summer III

*download it here*

Lars Falk- Solo Discography

Readers of this blog might have noticed several posts featuring Twice a Man, the Swedish synth group still active to date. Not only is the duo's expansive discography rather solid (and rather genre hopping) from start to finish, one time contributor Lars Falk's solo discography is just as captivating.

While Lars Falk was only a contributing member to Twice a Man, his three solo releases prove he's an equally driving force in the Swedish wave scene. A great mix of gloomy synths, icy vocals, and jagged guitars calls both John Foxx and Fad Gadget to mind. Tracks such as "Hello Hello" and "See My Friend Fall" are dj staple around these parts, while the latter also been featured on the fantastic Retronics compilation, which collects several other Swedish acts including Lustans Lakejer, Samedi, and of course, Twice a Man.

That all said, here's Lars Falk's three solo releases, all wrapped up for your listening pleasure.



Lars Falk- Through K7 (1983)
1. Let Tomorrow Take Over
2. Hello Hello
3. Rainy Days
4. In The City
5. Through
6. Smell Of Chaos



Lars Falk- TV Eye 7'' (1985)
1. TV Eye
2. Doors



Lars Falk- Lars Falk LP (1988)
1. In The Night
2. Kings And Queens
3. Nothing Is The Same
4. Painting Pictures
5. Elmer
6. Dum Dum Boy
7. See My Friend Fall
8. It's Here Again

*download all three here*

Various Artists- SNX (4LP + 7'')

Happy Holidays, dear readers! As a gift for the holidays and to close this year of Systems of Romance, I've freshly ripped the elusive SNX boxset, a four LP and one 7'' epic collection of experimental music and minimal synth released on French label Hawaii in 1985. All sorts of gems on this one, from more familiar names (Ohama, Mark Lane, Stratis, Twice a Man), and tons of extremely rare and extremely obscure goodies.

For your downloading pleasure, I've uploaded it as one large zip file via zshare. There's lots of info regarding the release, so let's cut this short and get right to the nitty gritty. Again, happy holidays, ladies and gents, and see you all in 2010!



Various Artists- SNX: The Entomology of Tomorrow's Popular Music

LP 1
1 The Tom & Marty Band- Algiers
2. Metropakt- Neuen Strassen
3. Marina La Palma- Hong-Kong Shoes
4. Influenza Prods.- Pretty City
5. Oksana Linde- Mariposas Acuaticas
6. Kastrierte Philosophen- Gun Beat Babes I
7. Short Term Memory- Go Home
8. Unknowmix- Ronnie Boy
9. Club Dada- Emprisioned Flesh
10. Danny Alias- Civil Defense: The War Dance
11. Les Objets Insolites- To Separate...

Tracks 1-5: FACE ABRUPTE
Tracks 6-11: FACE BAIONETTE

LP 2
1. Hans Hendrickx- Berlin Johnson
2. Albert Ret's Police Rip- Lonely Vigils At The Morgue
3. Space Negroes- The Eight Sea
4. Asmus Tietchens- Deformhaus
5. Walls Of Genius- House Of Horrors
6. Ampzilla's Delight- Landscape III
7. La 1919- Nervi
8. Zarfati Bund- Moyde Ani
9. Tara Cross/Unovidual- Touch Me Here, Touch Me There
10. Frieder Butzmann- N'GA
11. Human Flesh- First Aid (38th Human Attempt)
12. Renaldo & The Loaf- Here's To The Oblong Boys
13. Rainer Linz- Colour TV Song

Tracks 1-7: FACE CATHOLIQUE
Tracks 8-13: FACE DEPRESSIVE

LP 3
1. Suyama Kumiko- Dance
2. Twipi Twipa- Bad Dream
3. Wadya Want- Snapshot
4. Kid Montana- Rico Apollo
5. Stabat Stable- Bubble
6. Hypnobeat- Can God Rewind? Close The Fridge! (Part 2/Remix)
7. Autopsia- Lebensherrgabe
8. BP. Service- Enervated Tiny Dranghts
9. Primitive Products- Don't Do That
10. Pekka Airaksinen- Kashyapa
11. Randy-Raine Reusch- Pelan Pelan
12. Strafe Fur Rebellion- Kamerun

Tracks 1-6: FACE ERUPTIVE
Tracks 7-12: FACE FINALE

LP 4
1. 3 Musketeers- New Brass
2. Gheneral Thi Et Les Fourmis- Prima Dona
3. Twice A Man- Happy Life
4. The Pool- Burn The Bride
5. Peter Kaminski- Compudrive
6. Bill Rhea- Incarna
7. Denis Mpunga & Paul K.- Fuanyaka
8. 96 Eyes- Schneepalast
9. Ohama- The Drum
10. Carlos R. Arcaute- Psique

Tracks 1-5: FACE GLYCOSE
Tracks 6-10: FACE HETEROCLITE

7''
1. Mark Lane- Pushing And Pulling
2. Stratis- Herzlos
3. Vo Ese- Rike's Birthday

*download it ALL here!*

End of Data- Dans Votre Monde LP

Next up, we have the second End of Data LP, finally rescued from poorly-ripped hell. The only copy most folks have of this record in digital format are ripped at a low bitrate from a less than stellar LP copy, so here's a more crisp, solid copy. This second record is slightly more poppy and new wave-esque than their more abrasive and strange debut, available here, so feel free to compare and contrast, and read up on the band while you're at it. Otherwise, here's a more solid and consistent rip of this 1985 classic!



End of Data- Dans Votre Monde LP
1. Dans Votre Monde
2. Movie Drama
3. Quetzalcoatl
4. Symphonie
5. La Rive Asiatique
6. Atttrra (Vers Le Miroir)
7. Venice
8. D.M.C.

*download it here*

The Essence- Purity LP

I've got a pair of early Essence records to upload for you folks. Here's the first of the lot, the band's 1985 debut, Purity. The band originally formed as a three piece in 1984, hailing from Rotterdam, a region in the Netherlands. Over the course of time, the band grew in both popularity and personnel, releasing four full length LPs and several 12'' singles before their demise in the mid-nineties. Most of the band's material was released on Midnight Music, the label who also were responsible for Sad Lovers and Giants and The Snake Corps, two of the band's closest sonic peers.

Speaking of which, it's difficult to avoid comparing The Essence to The Cure, as the band walk similar sonic territory, straight down to the melodies, lyrics, and even the chimes in the instrumentation. For those who can't avoid the comparison, the touchstones are close enough to consider it a lost record from The Top/Head on the Door era! Otherwise, it's a rather solid guitar record from the mid-80s, with a hint of gloom and doom thrown in for good measure.

A surprising fun fact about this record: It was recorded in Alaska, of all places! Perhaps it was the allure of the near darkness and hopes of bringing the state's icy edge to the record. Did they succeed? You decide. Here's the information below.



The Essence- Purity LP
1. The Last Preach
2. A Reflected Dream
3. The Cat
4. The Blind
5. Never Mine
6. Endless Lakes
7. Forever in Death
8. Salivation
9. The Waving Girl
10. Purity
11. Confusion*
12. From My Mouth**
13. The Swaying Wind**

*bonus track from The Cat 12'', 1986
**bonus track from Endless Lakes 12'', 1986
both bonus tracks included on the 1996 CD reissue of Purity.

*download it here*

Stay tuned for the band's sophomore record, which I will be uploading shortly!

Various Artists- Reset Records 1983-1985 Comp.

Uploading this one for a friend and figured I'd toss it up here as well. This particular release is an unofficial collection/torrent comprising of all the Reset Records 12 and 7 inches. For those unaware, Reset Records was formed by Vince Clarke (Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure) and Eric Radcliffe, a collaborator and famed Mute Records producer. The releases are synth-based, as one might expect from the interests of the label's founders.

Now for the contributors. Robert Marlow (real name Robert Allen), who released seven different slabs of wax for Reset, has a long history with Mute/Sire records. He played guitar with Alison Moyet in a punk band in '77, and also appeared alongside Vince Clarke and Martin Gore in French Look, before Depeche Mode was officially formed. Marlow still makes music today under various monikers, including Marlow.

Peter Hewson, who released but one 7'', was a member of seventies glam/pop band Chicory Tip.

Hardware is a pseudonym for Radcliffe's own music, and not much is known about Absolute, but I would love to hear more about them if anyone is in the know.

The compilation also contains a rare 12 and 7 inch release by Twilight. Twilight featured Erasure's tour manager Andrew Mansi and future Nitzer Ebb tour manager Steev Toth. Though the record was released on Polydor, makes sense to collect it here due to Clarke's production. Otherwise, without any further ado, here's the tracklisting for the compilation:

CD 1
1. Robert Marlow- The Face Of Dorian Gray (Extended)
2. Robert Marlow- The Tale Of Dorian Gray (Extended)
3. Robert Marlow- I Just Want To Dance (Extended)
4. Robert Marlow- No Heart (Extended)
5. Robert Marlow- Claudette
6. Robert Marlow- This Happy World (Extended)
7. Robert Marlow- The Face Of Dorian Grey
8. Robert Marlow- The Tale Of Dorian Grey
9. Robert Marlow- I Just Wanna Dance
10. Robert Marlow- No Heart
11. Robert Marlow- Claudette
12. Robert Marlow- This Happy World
13. Robert Marlow- Calling All Destroyers
14. Robert Marlow - In Retrospect

CD 2:
1. Peter Hewson- Take My Hand
2. Peter Hewson- Her
3. Absolute- T.V. Glare
4. Absolute- At The Thirdstroke
5. Absolute- T.V. Glare (Extended)
6. Absolute- At The Third Stroke (Extended)
7. Absolute- Can't You See
8. Absolute- Love In My Heart
9. Hardware- Dance
10. Hardware- Hey
11. Hardware- Dance (Extended)
12. Hardware- Hey (Extended)
13. Twilight- Just Me Alone
14. Twilight- Talk To You
15. Twilight- Just Me Alone (Extended)
16. Twilight- Talk To You (Extended)

*download both discs here!*

Bérurier Noir- Concerto Pour Detraqués LP/CD

Here's something a little different for you folks today... Up on the slab is a classic record by French punk band Bérurier Noir, a dirty, politically charged cult band who formed in 1983. Though the band went through several lineup shifts throughout the 1980s, adding and detracting members, the rhythm section remained a cheap, driving drum machine, giving them a more thin and aggressive edge.

The band, who refused to make any sort of profit during their tenure, split in 1989, reforming in 2003 to release a DVD. Since then, the reactivated Bérurier Noir has played several shows in Europe, and released a brand new record in 2006.

This particular release is the band's second album, hailing from 1985. This version was released on CD just a year later, tacking on the Joyeux Merdier 12'' at the end, and kicking off with a previously re-recorded single version of early standout "Nada," the original which appears on their debut record, Macadam Massacre. It would be the fourth version the band had recorded. Here's the breakdown:



Bérurier Noir- Concerto Pour Detraqués LP/CD
1. Nada 84
2. Petit Agité
3. Vivre Libre Ou Mourir
4. Conte Cruel De La Jeunesse
5. Le Renard
6. Les Rebelles
7. Porcherie
8. Commando Pernod
9. Les Éléphants
10. Fils De...
11. Hélène Et Le Sang
12. Il Tua Son Petit Frère
13. La Mère Noël
14. J'Aime Pas La Soupe
15. Vive Le Feu
16. Salut À Toi

*download it here*

Track 1 from Nada 84 7'' (1984)
Tracks 2-12 from Concerto Pour Detraqués LP (1985)
Tracks 13-16 from Joyeux Merdier 12'' (1985)