Effetto Joule - Stars Your Memory (198x)

This is not just a new music post, but also an announcement of sorts. Some of you are aware of my partnership with Medical Records LLC, in which we have worked together to help put out some of the best reissues and new releases you'll find anywhere. This post is a promo introduction to some of the tracks we will feature on a future release. I encourage you to follow the Medical Records LLC facebook page for updates!

Thanks to the connections of some dear and long-term friends in Italy, I was introduced to this amazing band and subsequently able to setup the aforementioned release. Now, the details:

Effetto Joule began as a 4-piece electro-synthpop band from Bologna, Italy, in 1987. The band was comprised of brothers Valerio (vocals) and Flavio Biagi, Valerio Tassinari, and Massimo Chericoni (who would later leave the band). Effetto Joule's sound was, for me, instantly catchy. Their tracks are full of rich and warm melodies layered across pulsing electronic beats. It's bands like this that are the epitome of this blog, and I hope you'll agree. EJ released 2 cassettes and a 12" titled "Roberspierre", which will also see a re-issue on Mannequin Records, featuring a remix from world-famous italo DJ, Fleming Dalum. All the while, the band had recorded quite a lot of demos, some of which we have chosen and carefully curated for the upcoming LP release. Don't miss this one! Enjoy.

Track List:

 01. Active Ray
 02. Quasar
 03. Chlore Dress
 04. Pleasure For Fantasy
 05. Stars Your Memory
 06. Videotone (Live)

 Download
(note: these are not the final versions that will be used on the LP and digital downloads, nor is this the full track list for the LP)

Exxess - No Heaven's Tears (1984)

 
Oh, what, so you thought I was retired? Ok, in fairness, I've been horrible. Absent. Asleep at the wheel, even. I do apologize. There are still nuggets to be had, and I will keep trying to get them posted here for your listening pleasure!

At long last, we have a true gem of a cassette published in the endlessly generous country of Italy, in 1984. I mean, it's Italian so I don't need to say much more -- you already know it's going to be good. But lend me your ear (eyes) for just a moment.

Exxess were a 4-piece band from Osimo/Ancona, centered around Joe D'Elirio, a man you will learn and hear more about if all goes well with my plans for this blog. These songs, for me, fit right in with other Italian wave favorites like Chromagain, Intelligence Dept, etc. For now, we're just scratching the surface of the criminally under-rated and somehow still unknown works and aliases of JDE.

Big thanks to my friends Gianlorenzo and Andrea over in Italy for bringing these tunes to my attention. Hopefully much more to come! Enjoy!

Track List:

01. Walkin' Down The Subway
02. Deep Water
03. Marilin's Pills
04. No Heaven's Tears
05. Ghiaccio
06. Mad Haus (Live)

Download



Bonus links:

• The previous post 391 Marche contains two JDE related items (Modi and Marilin's Pills)

• You can like and follow these Facebook pages for tons of info, music, and images from the Italian wave underground:
391 Marche / 391 Piemonte / 391 Toscana

Various - 391 Marche (1983)

Today's post features an impossibly scarce tape compilation, provided to me by an Italian friend from the very Marche region the tape is named after. From what I understand, this is a twin compilation to 391 Umbria which I had previously posted here. The lead-off track is a winner (see below), but great obscure sounds from beginning to end that I think will touch every palette. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - 3B Unit - Tango In The Rain
A2 - Know How - - Horizon Sales
A3 - The End - Tears In My Eyes
A4 - The End - This Man
A5 - Evitaxal - Untitled
B1 - Modi - Stay Underground
B2 - Celery Price - The C. of the X.
B3 - Marylin's Pills - Marylin's Pills
B4 - Aut Aut - Lusitania
B5 - Aut Aut - For You

Download

Vasselli - Paura Del Sole (198x)

Here's a rather obscure 7" from Italy (naturally). It's been a long time since my last post, and even longer since my last italo-disco post, so I thought it high time I deliver. While this is certainly an italo-disco record, it might have some appeal for wave/minimal heads as well, as there are some elements to the songs that register it somewhere outside the typical italo sound -- at least, in my opinion. I can't be certain on the year, but my guess is somewhere around '83-'85. If anyone out there can confirm that'd be great! Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Paura Del Sole
B - Il Canto Di Agla

Download



In other news, on the label efforts with Medical Records LLC, we're making some great progress with a few artists featured on Crispy Nuggets, and I think you guys are going to love it! More news as things develop. Stay tuned!

Various - 391 Umbria (1983)

Fantastic spread of artists on this Italian compilation. I can't say quite enough about each and every artist here. Unlike a lot of compilations, I can happily listen all the way through this one without missing a beat. You'll hear everything from minimal synth to post-punk on this scarce tape. Some favorites being the recently re-issued Aidons La Norvege, Syndrome, Die Crucis, Mengue, and of course X-Offender. Not 100% sure of the exact release year. Anyone? Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Brain Machine - Intro
A2 - Brain Machine - F.A.L.L.
A3 - Die Crucis - Flaming Desire
A4 - Aidons La Norvege - Ostaggi
A5 - Aidons La Norvege - Bellinz Lager
A6 - Plan K - Esecuzione
A7 - Plan K - Trottima
A8 - Warhead - Don't Vex The Dead
B1 - Syndrome - Don't Rustle
B2 - Syndrome - Rock New Life
B3 - Mengue - African Beat
B4 - Militia - Echi
B5 - X-Offender - Wehrmacht
B6 - Strange Militia - Ho Paura Dei Bambini
B7 - Choking Sensation - Nine

Download

Neurox - A Raving Night (1984)

This is easily one of my favorite dark Italian wave records. Both sides of this 7" do a perfect job of blending male and female vocals, as well as synths and guitars. Very catchy from start to finish. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - A Raving Night
B - Romantic

Download

Jessica Blue - The Dark Of Light (1985)

This one's for the italo-disco fans out there, as it's been a while for the genre to make an appearance on this blog. This is the only Jessica Blue release that I'm aware of -- Now, I could be wrong on this, but... I'm pretty sure there was a law enacted in Italy that restricted italo-disco artists to just one release, at which point it was mandatory for them to disappear into obscurity forever. Well, at least that's what it seems like sometimes.

In any case, this 12" features three takes on essentially the same song, but it's a good'n. You can find a copy of this record through the usual outlets for what I'd consider a reasonable price. Well worth it for a gem such as this. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - The Dark Of Light (Club Mix)

B1 - The Dark Of Light (Radio Mix)

B2 - Is Just A Memory (Snow Mix)

Download

Various Artists - VM Cinque (1986)

Here's a very nice collection of artists from Italy. A 2LP limited to 600 hand-numbered copies, which was included with VM fanzine "5". This will appeal to those who dig classic Italian cold, darkwave style. Suicide Dada is the standout for me by a slim margin, just see"Acque" for my explanation on that. What a track! Check it out and enjoy.

Track List:

A1 - Destijl - Il Vaso Di Pandora
A2 - Destijl - La Sfinge
A3 - Destijl - Taiga
A4 - Destijl - Assab
B1 - Suicide Dada - Acque
B2 - Suicide Dada - Grida!
B3 - Suicide Dada - Echi
B4 - Suicide Dada - Porto Sepolto
B5 - Suicide Dada - Waiting For September
C1 - Intolerance - Drugs
C2 - Intolerance - Terminal State
C3 - Intolerance - 24
C4 - Intolerance - Wait And Kill
D1 - Regard - The Empty Day
D2 - Regard - Happy Lifes
D3 - Regard - We Are Here
D4 - Regard - J'aine Le Noir

Download

Ruins - Ruins EP (1984)

It's been a while since I've posted something in the funky, italo vein. So I'm going with this nice 12" EP from, you guessed it, Italy. Thanks to Ale for tipping me off to it, some time ago. The song "Fire" has a video, in two different versions actually... One of which I'll embed below, the other you can view here. Check it out and... enjoy!



Track List:

A1 - Fire
A2 - Sexual Desire
B1 - It's Not Too Grand
B2 - Good Name

Download (link removed, check Minimal Wave and buy the record!)

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

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

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)

Anouschka Renzi - Robot Love (1988)

Here we have a very satisfying and rare italo-disco single by producer Django Seelenmeyer and German actress Anouschka Renzi. This was her one and only hit, and she made the best of it. I should note (and I am guilty of this) that people often overlook the instrumental versions of these italo records, because they're just not as interesting, or what have you -- but this one is pretty nice, worth paying attention to. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Robot Love
B - Robot Love (Dub Instrumental Version)

Download