Another excellent Italian release from 1986 up on the slab today, a true gem and rarity. Absolutely no info to be found about these four mysterious fellows, but their label, Urgent Records, also issued early singles by Litfiba and Neon. The band only issued one futher track, called "Wehrmacht," which appears on the 391 Umbria K7 with Aidons La Norvege, another Italian band.
You can expect some gloomy synth here, with excellent bass grooves and melodic vocals. Definitely essential, especially for fans of bands like Storung and Into a Circle. Two different sounds, I know, but let's see what you all make of it... Here's the details:
X-Offender- Dreaming 12'' 1. Dreaming 2. What Is Smile? 3. Help To Helpless 4. The Stone Wood
As a brief aside, I've recently constructed two DJ mixes for various publications. The first, for VESSEL, features a more synth-driven sound while the second, for Zaptown mag, is of the coldwave/post-punk variety. Here they are, for your listening pleasure:
Up next we have a killer demo tape from Italian minimal synth band Atelier Du Mal. I'm usually not too fond of cassettes, as I find the sound quality to be very sub-par on the whole, but this one is a real gem. Barely sounds like a cassette, let alone a demo, for that matter!
This is the band's only official release, though track two, 'Back to Taiwan,' has been reissued as part of the Crollo Nervoso DVD set, essential listening/viewing for fans of obscure Italian wave.
Enough chatter, here's the info:
Atelier Du Mal- Noblesse Oblige Demo K7 1. A Promise 2. Back to Taiwan 3. Another Kind of Madness 4. Waiting for Someone 5. Staticita 6. Palau 7. Marienbaad 8. Decadence (Underground Life)
That's all for today (major treat coming soon- stay tuned), but I'd like to draw your attention to the De Press LP post from years past. Freshly re-uploaded on Mediafire, for those who missed out the first time. Thanks to all for keeping me on my toes!
Last but not least, to complete our Halloween trifecta, it's back to Italy for an uber-rare single from 1984.
Strangely enough, there are conflicting reports on this release. While the sleeve clearly says Tally-Ho!, many sources claim that the band's name is, in fact, Tally-Oh! Not sure where the truth lies, but my guess is that someone made a typo on the album sleeve or around the net, or perhaps the band meant for it to be somewhat confusing. Perhaps someone can shed some light on this mystery?
Either way, you can expect some excellent, upbeat, synth and beat driven tunes here. A little jerky and bass-heavy for post-punk heads, but complete with those minimal grooves we all know and love. Definitely a must hear!
Tally-Oh!- Hit the Beast 7'' 1. Hit the Beast 2. Transmission
Unfortunately, our Halloween eve's plans have been dashed by a case of the plague, so instead, I've been spending the day uploading a slew of rare releases to include over the next few days. For those reading along on this otherwise glorious Sunday, expect a few treats coming your way.
First up, we have a rare (and rather expensive) Italian 7'' from Paranoja, released in 1986. Some nice mid-tempo post-punk grooves contained within. Pleasant and bouncy, with gloomy vocals and atmospheric synths to keep the track grounded. Definitely a treat for those obsessed with the Italian tradition!
I have a pretty huge backlog of things I've been meaning to post, so I'm going to chip away at them over the next few days, so bear with me, folks! To kick things off, I've had several requests to post some more tracks by Chrisma/Krisma, so here's my two favorite LPs from this Italian synthpop outfit. Contained within this zip file are 1980's Cathode Mamma (the band's debut after switching from a 'Ch' to a 'K') and 1983's Nothing to Do With the Dog (aka Fido on some releases), their third LP. There are still three more out there, but these two should keep you satiated for now! Here's the info:
Krisma- Cathode Mamma LP (1980) 1. Cathode Mamma (Neue Version) 2. Many Kisses 3. Peggy Guggenheim 4. Rrock 5. Rien Ne Va Plus 6. Cathode Mamma 7. Telegram 8. White Knife 9. Last Chance to See Man
Krisma- Nothing To Do With the Dog LP (1983) 1. Nothing To Do With the Dog 2. I'm Not In Love (10cc cover) 3. I Must Know Your Name 4. Girls Drumming 5. Eye to Eye 6. Boys Drumming 7. Carefully 8. Find a Friend 9. Heroes of the Sea 10. Everybody Drumming
For your viewing pleasure, here's the official video for "Nothing To Do With the Dog," one of the band's biggest singles and an international breakthrough at the time.
Here's one of two posts lined up to get you through the weekend. First, we have what I believe to be the complete discography of Italian band Chrisma, a synthpunk outfit active in the late 1970s. The band combined a Marlene Dietrich kind of vibe with krautrock, Chrome-esque guitar lines, disco rhythms, and primitive synthesizers for a futuristic and incredibly eclectic sound. Very ahead of their time, as far as I'm concerned, especially when you hear the drastic jump in styles between the first 7'' and the debut LP.
The band takes its name from combining the first names of members Christina Moser and Maurizio Arcieri. Their earliest recordings were made in Vangelis' home studio, which more than likely explains their futuristic sound. There's even a rumor kicking around that Vangelis himself performed on Chinese Restaurant, but he is not listed in the album credits.
While the band was formed in Italy, they sang the majority of their songs in English, which helped earn the band a few fans stateside. You can still hear "Black Silk Stockings" (IMO, the band's best track) in various clubs to date. In 1980, the band changed their name to Krisma and took a more synthpop turn, releasing five LPs and a slew of singles. Perhaps I'll cover them someday in the future, but otherwise, here's the full Chrisma output- two LPs and two 7'' records. I didn't include a few of the other 7''s, as the band would double up on album cuts for b-sides. Here's the rundown:
Chrisma- Amore 7'' (1976) 1. Amore 2. Sweet Baby Sue
Chrisma- Chinese Restaurant LP (1977) 1. Thank You 2. Black Silk Stocking 3. Lola 4. C-Rock 5. What For 6. Wanderlust 7. Lycee 8. Mandoia 9. Thank You
Chrisma- U 12'' (1977) 1. U Part I 2. U Part II
Chrisma- Hibernation LP (1979) 1. Calling 2. Aurora B. 3. Rush '79 4. Hibernated Nazi 5. Gott Gott Electron 6. We R. 7. So You Don't 8. Lover 9. Vera Platz
In case you're not sold on downloading this discography, peep a performance of "Black Silk Stocking/Lola" here, complete with a latter day interview with the band, for those fluent in Italian. Awesome.
Second on the slab is this fantastic LP from Klein & M.B.O. It's a little more disco-tinged than what I usually post around these parts, but there's still some great minimal synth grooves kicking around here, combined with some classic italo production. As it stands, the project was not only successful in its native land, it also inspired the budding Chicago house movement.
The project was conceived by Tony Carrasco (USA) and Mario Boncaldo (Italy), two standout musicians in the disco scene. Vocals were performed by Italian jazz singer Roosanna Casal and a US singer named Naimy Hackett, while Davide Piatto lent a hand with some of the arrangements.
Despite the misleading title, this isn't the band's first release. However, it contains nearly all of the tracks released on various 12'' singles, including the vocal version of "Dirty Talk" from 1982, their most famous track. In fact, it seems as if this release is simply a reissue of De-Ja-Vu, released a year prior on another label. I haven't heard this LP, so I can't be sure if the mixes are exactly the same, but my guess is that this LP is a clever reissue, released to capture the project's growing influence in the US.
With that in mind, here's the breakdown:
Klein & M.B.O.- First LP 1. The Big Apple 2. The MBO Theme 3. Wonderful 4. Dirty Talk 5. De-Ja-Vu 6. I Love You
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
Here's a rare compilation from Mask Productions, dating back to 1983. All Italian minimal synth/post-punk. Some bands (such as Lisfrank and V.U.D.) should be familiar to some, while others are far more obscure. All cuts on this LP are killer, though, so be sure to check this one out!
Otherwise, this is one of three releases from the Mask Productions label, the other two being a release by Lisfrank and a 12'' by Le Masque.
Various Artists- First Relation LP 1. Aus Decline- Five Years Life 2. Militia- Limbo 3. Lisfrank- Man Without Limits 4. F.A.R.- Lights in the Deep 5. KKD- House TV 6. KKD- And Your Mind 7. V.U.D.- Look! 8. Take For Fun- Please Me 9. Tanzen's Fields- Sally Song 10. Dark Tales- Dismals
I've seen this one on several wantlists across the blogosphere. Through a generous donation from Herr Pieter Schoolwerth of Wierd Records, who has leant the wax to me, I was able to rip and upload it here for you. Especially rare treat here today, folks! So rare in fact, that very little information exists about this Italian post-punk/gothic band. Their sound walks a fine line between early Christian Death with a few synth influences.
Until ripping this record, I had only heard "Cosa Domani," a particularly excellent track that's good for an aggressive dance floor. Released in 1986, this is the band's only proper full length release. Just a year later, however, the band released a split 12'' with Gronge. I should be able to convert this one soon as well, so stay tuned for that. In the interim, here's the information for Move's s/t full length.
Move- Move LP 1. Any Move 2. Cosa Domani 3. Lei 4. Lo Scoglio 5. Still Smoking 6. When I'm With My Self 7. Quattro E Tre/Quarti
After the latest Sequins and Spandex debacle, and failing to track down a skipless version of "My Frames" on my own (many thanks to Veronica once more for fixing up a proper version), I've decided to compile each of the Amin-Peck singles together for any interested parties.
Like most '80s electronic bands, Amin-Peck walked a fine line between italo disco and minimal wave throughout the course of the early 1980s, oftentimes incorporating shameless pop melodies and avant-garde leanings. The band was primarily a three piece (gaining vocalist Giorgio Fiorini to contribute vocals on their final 1984 12'').
As there's no official bio kicking around the net, let's allow the music to speak for itself, shall we? Here's all the proper info:
Amin-Peck- Girls On Me 12'' (1982) 1. Girls On Me 2. Anxiety 3. Coda
Amin-Peck- Love Disgrace 7'' (1982) 1. Love Disgrace 2. Singing In The Wind
According to a few record collector sites, there are various dub and instrumental remixes of a few of these tracks kicking around, but I am unable to track anything concrete down. Should any of you out there have these rare and elusive remixes, feel free to send them my way and I'll happily post a follow-up. Otherwise, enjoy!
After some insight on some rare and otherwise unreleased Weimar Gesang material, I am pleased to offer the last of their uncovered gems, once and for all! Thanks a ton to all who have uploaded some of the harder-to-find material and offered extra information on the band.
Included in the zip file below are three releases. The first two are respective sides of a 1983 demo cassette, the A-side being early demos of familiar tracks and the B-side featuring a rare live set from the band's early incarnation, recorded in October of 1983. This release predates the previously uploaded Our Silent Growth cassette. The third and final release attached is a 1987 rough mix of what was to be the fourth WG record, never officially released and given to the band's closest friends just before they split up. Very rare materials, all three, and thanks to allelimo for encoding them!
Otherwise, here's the nitty gritty:
Weimar Gesang- Demo 1983 (Cassette side A) 1. Frail Moments 2. Along The Walls 3. Locked In My Castle 4. Refusing 5. Show Me 6. Motionless Dance 7. Incomprehension
Weimar Gesang- Live 1983 (Cassette side B) 1. Motionless Dance 2. Refusing 3. Locked In My Castle 4. Torn Souls 5. One Sweet Night
Weimar Gesang- It is a Crime 1. It is a Crime 2. Place to Be (Nick Drake cover)
Thanks again to all who have contributed to the Weimer Gesang posts! Should you have missed them, their remaining discography can be downloaded from these back pages by clicking here and here.
Thanks to two generous and anonymous donations, I'm pleased to upload the remaining tracks in Weimar Gesang's discography, including tracks from a split cassette with Plastic Trash.
I've unzipped, tagged, and reuploaded the files from the original Rapidshare files to keep everything together and circumvent Rapidshare's waiting period. As an added bonus, I've included the live bootleg, entitled . Even in it's low-quality, it may serve interesting to fans and otherwise completists.
Without any further ado, here's the final batch of Weimar Gesang tracks!
Weimar Gesang- Our Silent Growth Cassette (1984) 1. Frail Moments 2. Torn Souls 3. The Play 4. Show Me 5. Motionless Dance 6. Frail Moments (Second View)
Weimar Gesang- VM Due Cassette (year unknown) 1. Our Silent Growth 2. Remaining Years 3. Gesang The Dragging 4. Light-Tight Place
Weimar Gesang- Live at Back Out, Roma 12.04.1985 1. Deceit 2. Melt Your Sight 3. Held Inside 4. Chantal's Secret 5. Like in a Mirror 6. Worn Out Prayer 7. Du Bist/Light-Tight Place
Though a few demo cassettes and live material are circling around in rather incomplete and poor quality, here's the official recorded output of Italian darkwave/minimal synth band Weimar Gesang, which amounts to three 12'' releases. There are also a handful of compilation appearances alongside the live/demo cassettes, but I've been unsuccessful in tracking them down.
Not a lot of information about the band to be found otherwise. The band consisted of four members: Donato Santarcangeli, Fabio Magistrali, Giuseppe Tonolini, and Paolo Mauri, a few of which went on to play in various other Italian bands over the years. If anyone has some concrete info about these fantastically gloomy fellows, feel free to contribute below.
That all said, here's the information for there three 12'' releases.
Weimar Gesang- Even Stone Pales 12'' (1984) 1. Held Inside 2. Annual Ring 3. Chantal's Secret 4. Held Inside Again
Weimar Gesang- The Colours Of Ice (1985) 1. Deceit 2. Like In A Mirror 3. Melt Your Sight 4. One Promise Less 5. Torn Envelope
Weimar Gesang- No Given Path 12'' (1986) 1. Du Bist 2. The Secret Us 3. Light - Tight Place 4. When The Moon Splits The Gloom 5. Worn Out Prayer 6. Mother Of Nothing
EDIT: A comrade over at the Krupnik blog has featured the Afterglow compilation, which features three further Weimar Gesang traxx, none of which appear on these 12 inches! Click here to nab it.
Otherwise, as previously mentioned, I do have a really shoddy live recording from 1985 kicking around. I can't really recommend it, but if anyone's dying to hear it, shout below and I'll upload it separately.
Today's post contains the entire discography for Italian minimal/electro/disco act East Wall, featuring the efforts of Fabrizio Chiari (previously involved with Kirlian Camera) on synthesizers and electronics and Wilma Notari on synths and vocals. Their initial 12'', 1985's Eyes of Glass is a perfect slice of jagged minimal synth, while their 1991 lp Silence is a bit darker, though just as catchy in spots.
Without any further ado, here's the download information for both releases. Enjoy!
East Wall- Eyes of Glass 12'' 1. Eyes of Glass (vocal) 2. Eyes of Glass (instrumental)
East Wall- Silence 1. Silence 2. Ice Of Fire 3. Twenty Five Sunsets Before Dawn 4. Angelo 5. Blue 6. Privacy 7. Twenty Seven
Today's post contains the entire discography for Italian minimal/electro/disco act East Wall, featuring the efforts of Fabrizio Chiari (previously involved with Kirlian Camera) on synthesizers and electronics and Wilma Notari on synths and vocals. Their initial 12'', 1985's Eyes of Glass is a perfect slice of jagged minimal synth, while their 1991 lp Silence is a bit darker, though just as catchy in spots.
Without any further ado, here's the download information for both releases. Enjoy!
East Wall- Eyes of Glass 12'' 1. Eyes of Glass (vocal) 2. Eyes of Glass (instrumental)
East Wall- Silence 1. Silence 2. Ice Of Fire 3. Twenty Five Sunsets Before Dawn 4. Angelo 5. Blue 6. Privacy 7. Twenty Seven
