Turquoise Days - Grey Skies (The Rest) (2006)

This will be my last post before X-mas, and perhaps before the new year, so happy holidays to all and happy new year if I don't report until then!

So, as many of you know, the wonderful label Minimal Wave recently released a re-issue LP for Turquoise Days (which I quickly bought, and you should too, because it sounds SO good). However, it does not cover everything. There is still some material from this great band to be had, which is contained on a quite nice, although scarce, CD/DVD package. For now, I'm just going to upload the extra tracks you can't get on the LP (see track listing below).

There's a DVD section with some footage and extras, including the "Grey Skies" video and interview, some slideshow photos, and 4 sound check videos from a performance at Corbiere Pavilion. I may post that later if I ever get around to making a proper rip of it.

For now, though, here's "the rest". Enjoy!

Track List:

01 - Grey Skies (Single '84)
02 - Tonight **
03 - Feed The Flame **
04 - Scattering Seeds
05 - Hide
06 - Turning Blue **
07 - Endlessly **
08 - European Mind
09 - Parafoil
10 - Forget **
11 - Blurred (demo)
12 - French Film Backwards
13 - Alternative Strategies
14 - Grey Skies (demo) **
15 - Blurred (single b-side)

** these tracks are included in the link below

Download - link removed by request.

P.S. Please buy the LP from Minimal Wave and support this great artist/label!

Various Artists - Blush On Black (1984)

Here's an almost unknown record featuring a nice collection of artists. Probably the most well-known song from this one would be Jullan's "Imaginary Doll", but the version here is (as far as I know) unique to this record, and the main reason I ripped this one. I think it's the best version of the song that exists. Jullan are quite the nice little duo, from Japan. More info and listens over at Saltyka's blog.

The rest of this record features a few nice synthy tracks, most of which sound pretty pop, but a nice listen all the same. Honorable mention to Zaine Griff and Fear Of The Dark. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Pleasure In Pink - Run
A2 - Jullan - Imaginary Doll
A3 - Zaine Griff - Mental Pictures
A4 - Stranger Than Fiction - One Life
A5 - Duffo - And So It Rains
A6 - Fear Of The Dark - Love That Burns
B1 - Zaine Griff - Turn Out The Light
B2 - Pleasure In Pink - Turn To Fall
B3 - Duffo - I Want To Be The Pilot
B4 - Listen - Here Come The Rats
B5 - La La Bam Bam - Is It...?
B6 - Stranger Than Fiction - Breaking The Bond

Download

Faded Image - Modern (1984)

So after my request for Move's self-titled 12" was finally filled by Mr. Frankie Teardrop with the help of Pieter @ Wierd Records, I decided to post up another gem from Italy. Really nice synth wave 12" that I think deserves some recognition. On the same label that would release XNO's Angel 12", 3 years later. Worth checking out. Enjoy.

Track List:

A1 - Instanity
A2 - A-Totale
B1 - Strumentale
B2 - Sleeping City
B3 - Il Nuovo Tempo

Download

Various Artists - Burning The Midnight Sun (1984)

Here's a nice compilation of Norwegian tracks that I decided to rip this afternoon, because... well, I've got nothing better to do. Quite a few recognizable names, with top tracks from each. Favorites here would be Svart Klovn, Blue Mathue, and De Press... who I believe are still active to this day. Plenty of good listens here, mostly on the A-side. Enjoy.

Track List:

A1 - Fra Lippo Lippi - A Small Mercy
A2 - Svart Klovn - Knust Knekt
A3 - Holy Toy - Wojtek
A4 - Blue Mathue - In Our Dream
A5 - De Press - Total Corruption
B1 - Tim Story - The Seventh Chance
B2 - Eyeless In Gaza - To Ellen
B3 - Paha Sapa - Dawn
B4 - Bearburger - With Two Mouths Biting
B5 - Popol Vuh - Agape Agape

Download

Vision Factory - Bird From Fez (1990)

Nice and somewhat weird gatefold 7" from Germany, hot off the needle. If you're a fan of Lisfrank type vocals (like I am), you'll probably like these. The music is a bit more strange and experimental, but still quite good. Enjoy.

Track List:

A - Bird From Fez
B - Tremendous Mates

Download

Jours Etranges - Illusions Perdues (1986)

Quite rare synthpop 7" out of France. You won't see this one laying around the local shops, heh heh (but if you do... feel free to send it to me ;P). Anyway, really nice title track with great emotion in the chorus, followed by a rather dark and sinister-sounding instrumental on the flip side. Definitely check this one out.

Track List:

A - Illusions Perdues
B - Interieur

Download