Kofe - Discography (84-86)

Finding information on this group was far from easy, as most of it is in Russian, but with a little help from Google translate and my friend zomg, I've gathered a fair amount of info:
Kofe (Кофе), or "Coffee", was formed in 1983 by Edward Nesterenko, Alexander Senin, Stanislaus Tishkov and Gregory Kobeshavidze and almost immediately with the participation of then-novice sound engineer Alexei Cherry recorded his debut album, "Ballet." The band played "new wave", used the texts in the spirit of neo-romanticism that then rock scene was a bit unusual. In 1985, from "Coffee" leaves Kobeshavidze, but joined Igor Kopylov and Igor Petrov - former bassist and guitarist for "TV". The new composition of the group entered into a rock club, gave several successful concerts in the Palace of Youth, and even falling on the "Musical Ring", recorded their second album "Balance". On the fourth rock festival, the group was not related, the rock community remained hostile - antisocial texts and sound too trendy "coffee" and scare away the critics and parties, while at the same time the audience. In 1987, the group ceased to exist.

For a more detailed description, go here.

Now, I want to focus on "Balans" because it is by far the better of the two. In fact, I'm only posting the first album for those who might be interested, but as fair warning it's not even comparable to the great sound of "Balans". The entire album is a synth wave gem, just check out "Put To Zero" and the last/title track. Great choruses and melodies. Enjoy!

Kofe - Balans (1986)

Track List:

01 - Vstuplenie
02 - Monument
03 - Princessa
04 - Put To Zero
05 - Computer
06 - Bagi-Shok
07 - Aristokratka
08 - Oshibka 135
09 - Lomanye Pliaski
10 - Efir 2101
11 - Balans

Download (link removed due to upcoming re-issue on Other Voices Records)

Some video for Lomanye Pliaski:




Kofe - Balet (1984)

01 - V Poiskah Zvuka
02 - Sochini Ulybku
03 - Kotoryi Den
04 - Balet 1
05 - Telepat
06 - Baron 2002
07 - Balet 2
08 - Twist
09 - Ver Mne

Download (link removed due to upcoming re-issue on Other Voices Records)

Max & Intro - We Design The Future (1985)

This is a somewhat unknown 7" from Yugoslavia, and I'm fairly certain it's the only release by the group (but I'd love to be wrong). I am also going to include three Max & Intro demos (2 from the 7", and 1 other), because they're great. I actually like the "Beogradska Devojka" demo better than the 7" version, and "Los De Jan" demo is great too. Check them out!

Track List:

A - Ostavi Sve
B - Beogradska Devojka

Download


Max & Intro Demos

Track List:

01 - Ostavi Sve (demo)
02 - Beogradska Devojka (demo)
03 - Los De Jan (demo)

Download

Phantom Limb - Dance Of The Guilty (1982)

This mini-LP is from the Netherlands on "Sublabel" which is a division of Torso records, and is a post-punk / wave gem. The sound on this record is very much ahead of its time. There are parts of it where I'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between a modern indie rock/post-punk band. A bit more guitar-based upload this time, after all that synth I've been posting. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Beast Of Eden
A2 - Dance Of The Guilty
B1 - Far Sound Of Laughter
B2 - Numbered Hills
B3 - Deep In Mines

Download

Supportez Les Mineurs - To Whom It May Belong (1988)

Had to rip this one -- first because I absolutely love it, but also because it seems to be fairly unknown. I hope that will now change. This LP comes from Germany and, unless I'm mistaken, is the only release by this great band. This record shows a masterful command of instrumentation, with brilliant beats and basslines, melodic male & female vocals, all backed with haunting synths that set the mood of each song perfectly. Pretty great all the way through, hard not to love this one. Last track is a masterpiece. See for yourself. ;-)

Track List:

A1 - No More Than A Word
A2 - Why?
A3 - Isn't It Religious?
A4 - Silent Tears
B1 - I Can Even Wait
B2 - The Starvation
B3 - Tortured Soul
B4 - Lovin' In '91

Download

Page - Dansande Man (1983)

A classic synthpop 7" out of Sweden, the band's first release. How bout that album art, eh? The title track is featured on the Retronics compilation CD, which you can get here, if you don't already have it. Much cleaner version of the song, I'm sure, and quite a few gems to be heard there as well. In any case, enjoy!

Track List:

A - Dansande Man
B - Aldrig Mer

Download

Warm Dark Pocket - Warm Dark Pocket (1986)

Warm Dark Pocket was a project of Robb Earls and Marilyn Blair which formed not too long after Earls' previous (and more well-known) band, Factual. One of the few DIY wave bands from Nashville, Tennessee. Great intimate echoey male and female vox with uptempo rhythms and cold backgrounded guitars and choral synth textures.

From the insert:

"Warm Dark Pocket brings music back to the basics of well defined beat charged with emotion and atmosphere." -Robb Earls

"Warm Dark Pocket is one of the wild mysteries of the universe -- one with solid definition yet open and expansive." -Marilyn Blair

Enjoy!


Track List:

A1 - Door Inside
A2 - Pressure Zone
B1 - The Other Side
B2 - Shadows Burning

Download



To hear Earls' previous band, Factual, go to this hotspot. Thanks, Goutroy!

Line Line - Vision (1984)

Another rare 7" out of Belgium on New Dance records, which also released a few Arnold Lane, Parade Ground, and Front 242 records. This is the only release by the band, a nice little nugget, I say. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Vision
B - Moments

Download

Various Artists - 13 (Lively Art) (1990)

Great compilation LP here, nice mix of artists and styles. Teepee (what an unfortunate name) starts things off with a surprisingly great track, it's a shame we never heard more from this band. What follows is a group of fantastic bands that many of you are already familiar with, I'm sure. The Asylum Party track was exclusive to this release (until being re-released in 2006) and is, in my opinion, one of their best. Also featured here is a 5 minute version of Little Nemo's classic "City Lights", always a fine choice. Be sure to catch the Collection d'Arnell Andrea track... hauntingly beautiful darkwave. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Teepee - Tribes Are Meeting
A2 - Asylum Party - Love Or Madness
A3 - Data-Bank-A - This Place
A4 - Sky Cries Mary - Lover Pot Pie
A5 - Numb - Stiff
B1 - Little Nemo - City Lights
B2 - Mary Goes Round - The Party
B3 - Museum Of Devotion - Guimbi Come Home
B4 - Club De Rome - Istante
B5 - Collection d'Arnell Andrea - Anton's Mind Getting Home

Download

The Quarks - Mechanical (1981)

UPDATE (5/23/16): Martin from the band has contacted me letting me know he's included other works from the period on bandcamp, including his other great project "President President".

Here's a little gem from the UK that doesn't get very much attention. A bit commercial sounding, but not at all in a bad way. I could only rip the 7", as I don't own the 12", but I do have an mp3 of that version, which is definitely worth grabbing (I'll post it below).

Track List:

A - Mechanical
B - Working Model

Download

Get "Mechanical (Extended Dance Mix)" here. Trust me, it's good. Enjoy!

Mittageisen - Automaten (1985)

In a bit of a dark mood today (not too different from any other day), so here's a sought-after darkwave 12" from Switzerland. Title track is a gem, featuring dark whispers and synths to perfectly suit your mood (or mine, whichever). Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Automaten
B - Neues China

Download

White Pain - Paroles Absurdes (1986): Full Rip

Sorry for the delay on this! When previously posted, track A2 was faulty, but I've fully ripped/scanned it now. You can get it here. Enjoy!

Art Interface - This Day In History (CD-R) + Wardance Video

After the first Art Interface post, I had a request for the Wardance video. So, thanks to the generosity of AI's Douglas Vasey, I've received the video as well as a CD-R containing further works by the band. I hope you don't mind that I kept the mullet-sporting host in the video clip, I think it's a nice touch (hah!). Enjoy!


This Day In History (CD-R)

Track List:

01 - Secretaries From Heaven
02 - Chinese Takeaway
03 - Raygun Assassins
04 - This Day In History
05 - Commie Plot
06 - The Walls Have Ears
07 - Wardance
08 - Dance Hit
09 - Real Pretty-Like
10 - City Of Funk
11 - New Mood
12 - Joyride
13 - World's Happiest Person
14 - Cross That Line, Buddy You Die
15 - The Parable Of The Insane Leading The Blind
16 - Sermonette
17 - Secretaries From Heaven ('81 Demo w/ '09 Radio Overdub)

Download


Wardance Video (taken from UNDERGROUND U.S.A. #14 VHS)



Download

Still A House - Untitled Cassette (1986)

This is an ultra obscure, demo cassette for which I can find no information whatsoever beyond the year and country (UK). If there's anyone out there who can shed some light -- would love to hear from you. I've done my best to clean up the sound, but it's still pretty raw, as you'll see. Worth checking this one out, though. It's got that dark synth flavor we all know and love. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - I Want To Be With You
A2 - This House
A3 - Break It Up
A4 - Radio Active

Download

Infam - I Won't Loose My Faith (1990)

Infam are a German synthpop band that first formed in 1985, but did not release a single until this one, in 1990. Infam continues to release music to this day. There is definitely similar styling to early 90s synthpop bands like Beborn Beton, And One, De/Vision, etc (which may or may not sit well with you)... certainly in the title track... but it's the B-side that I really like from this one. It could just be me, but I really hear a similarity to the Eleven Pond vocalist here. Anyway, Enjoy!

Track List:

A - I Won't Loose My Faith
B - The Way Of Pleasure

Download

Organized Pleasure - Ah! (1981)

Pretty rare 7" out of Belgium. Admittedly, I don't think too much of the b-side, but "Ah!" is a nice little upbeat piece of wave for you to enjoy. Vocals sometimes remind me of Parade Ground a bit. Check it.

Track List:

A - Ah!
B - Tropical Stumble

Download

Tora Tora - Antinéa (1987)

This is an amazing 7" out of France that will grab you in the first few seconds. Really compelling, dark, and beautiful synths with female vocals. These are existing mp3s I've had sitting around, and the quality is good on the A-side (which is the better track) and decent on the B-side, but when I'm feeling a bit less lazy I'll re-post a better rip. For now this should do fine. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Antinéa
B - Bébés Athées

Download

Squash Gang - I Want An Illusion (1986)

Another classic italo-disco record, this time out of Spain. The first of, I think, 3 releases by the group. Nice little performance video below. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - I Want An Illusion
B - I Want An Illusion (Instrumental)

Download

Ladomir - Discography (87-09)

Ladomir are a new wave / post-punk / synthwave band which originally formed in Helsingborg, Sweden in 1984. The band moved to Gothenburg in 1985, played a lot of gigs around Sweden and released 3 singles, all of which are below (my favorite is probably Laika). In 1988 the band broke up, but reunited in 2006. They released a brand new, full-length album in 2009 (which I will post, as they've made all tracks available for free online). Let me tell you, we should be very grateful they did, as it is truly fantastic! Just listen to "Under Noll", "Inte En Hund", and others. The entire album is a brilliant blending of styles and instrumentation, really.


First, the singles:

Inför Min Dom (7") (1987)

A - Inför Min Dom
B - Bara Inte Tystnad
Download


Tro Mig (7") (1987)

A - Tro Mig
B - Beväpna Er

Download


Laika (7") (1988)

A - Laika
B - Cysifos

Download


Now, the full length:


Ladomir (2009)

01 - Under Noll
02 - Marken blundar Där Jag Går
03 - Lust
04 - Inte En Hund
05 - En Helt Ny Taktik
06 - Den Lyckliga Människan
07 - Den Girige
08 - Evig Längtan
09 - Lycka Till
10 - Stora Svarta Hus (II)
11 - Min Orsak

Download

Enjoy!

Bazooka - Alive (1984)

Couldn't stay away from the italo for too long, and I keep getting requests for more, so... Here goes. Stand alone release by the band. The track is ultra catchy and super accessible. I'd been posting some pretty cold stuff, so, time for some pop! Enjoy

Track List:

A - Alive
B - Alive (Instrumental)

Download

Symbols - Voices (1982)

Really nice and obscure 12" from the US here. Starts a bit down-tempo and brooding with the title track, and picks up the tempo a bit through the b-side, while losing none of the mood. The early 80s really is a bottomless pit of outstanding gems... or so we hope... Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Voices
B1 - Speed of Light
B2 - Broken Promise

Download (sendspace)
Download (direct)

Fox In Socks - Sound Patterns (1982)

Here's a really nice and rather unknown new wave 7" out of the UK. Yes, the only release by the band (imagine that!). Another gem featuring both male (a-side) and female (b-side) vocals. Both tracks have a great sound that I think many of you will enjoy. Check it out!

Track List:

A - Sound Patterns
B - The Lonely House

Download

Underground Life - The Fox (1982)

This is a really great debut LP by the Italian new wave band Underground Life. Recommended to me by a friend, and now recommended to the rest of you. Originally grabbed from Venus+On, I cleaned up the tags and re-uploaded the loose tracks into one zip file. The opening track just brilliant, check this one out!

Track List:

A1 - Le Vol
A2 - The Fox
A3 - Gropius Village
A4 - Adler Car
B1 - Away
B2 - La Tempesta
B3 - Cathedral's Echo

Download (sendspace)
Download (direct)

Communication - Self-Titled (1982): Full Rip

Just got done ripping this in it's entirety -- finally! No missing tracks this time. I've re-uploaded my rip and updated the album art with a cleaner image. Get it here.

Also, look for a re-up of the White Pain LP (track 2 on the current version is a demo), as that is next on my agenda.

Enjoy!

Those Attractive Magnets - Nightlife (1983)

Carrying on with the ultra-rare minimal synth 7"s theme, we have a really wonderful gem out of the UK, once again the only release by the band. What a tragic trend, right? Two more tracks for the ages, Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Nightlife
B - Love Chimes

Download (sendspace)
Download (direct)

The Last Man In Europe Corporation - Songs From The Ark (1982)

This was requested by a few of you after I posted the Last Man In Europe 7" . My friend Cinico was kind enough to rip and post it on his blog. Check out "Midas Touch".

Get it here. Enjoy!