The Parapluies - The Parapluies (1984)

Excellent tape from Germany, on one of the best labels for German minimal synth: P.A.P. I would like very much to hear all of the releases from that label, wink wink, nudge nudge. Here's one of them. You won't regret checking out that gem, trust me on that. As for this little nugget, you are likely familiar with the brilliant track "Necessities", which is by no means the only worthwhile song on the tape. It's quite good throughout, with female vox flowing across waves of bass and synth. The lead-off track starts out a bit on the corny side, so soldier through that and you'll hear the goodies that follow it. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Bruno
A2 - Fallen Dream
A3 - Necessities
B1 - Heart And Facts
B2 - Stranger In Paradise
B3 - Leaving You

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The Impolight - Oh Baby Oh (1983)

Here's an ace 12" by The Impolight, a predecessor to the Israeli group "Siam", which have an LP posted here by Frankie T. I'm pretty sure this record came without a picture sleeve, but I decided to use this image I stumbled across anyway. "Changing" was later featured on the aforementioned Siam LP, and if you already know it, you already love it. If "Oh Baby Oh" is new to you, then you're in for a treat. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Oh Baby Oh
B - Changing

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Calendar Crowd - Listen In To The Heart (1985)

Here's a tasty little number from the UK that I'd been tracking for quite some time, until stumbling upon it for a price that I'd consider irresistable. Well, as a result, here it is for your listening pleasure. The first 2 tracks are nice in their own gloomy, droning right... but the real gem from this one is "Perfect Hideaway Dub". There's a 7inch for that track, but unfortunately I don't have that one, as it is spaced out, icey minimal goodness. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Listen In To The Heart

B1 - Questions Answers

B2 - Perfect Hideaway Dub

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Body and Soul - Something's Going On Here (1983)

Here's a very rare and unknown piece of US wave history. Update: Some info has been found. It seems this was a solo effort by "Rob Watson" and was pressed to 800 copies. More than I would've expected. Mr. Watson has had his hands in quite a few other things as well, it seems. I'll have to do a bit more investigation on that. As for this record, the a-side is a nice upbeat, club-friendly track... but I think I prefer the gloomy, mellow b-side. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Something's Going On Here
B - The Graylands

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Mørkelagt Bevegelse - A View X Another Victim (1983)

An ultra obscure tape from Norway is what's on the menu for today. This dish is quite tasty on it's own, but has been known to have been served with a side of Lister. That meal may be coming out of the kitchen soon, so save room for more. I think you'll enjoy the flavor, which starts out subtly, but picks up rather nicely around bite 4 and never looks back. Don't try to swallow it all at once, give it time to digest properly. And remember, this is a dish best served cold. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Cheers From The Crowd
A2 - Under The 2nd Bridge
A3 - Til De Tvilende
A4 - Every 15 Seconds
A5 - Retrospective
A6 - The Stairs
A7 - Veins
B1 - Another Victim Pt. I
B2 - The Pray
B3 - The Chamber
B4 - The Survival
B5 - The Return
B6 - Four Walls, Too Many People
B7 - Another Victim Pt. II

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Rive Gauche - Friends are Friends (1984)

This is a personal favorite from Belgium, one of the best countries for minimal synth wave gems. Perhaps the best part about this 7" is that the vocals are performed by Carol, who you'll remember from the Breakdown/So Low 7" that I posted a while back here. I don't really know who else was involved other than the names listed on the sleeve, which are: Luc, Olivier, Didier, Bernard, and Dimitri. Well, in any case, hats off to the lot of them. The title track is pretty well-known via Tribute To Some Bizzare, but it's mislabeled "Friends and Friends", and frankly mine sounds a lot better. The b-side is certainly no slouch and is not to be missed! Enjoy.

Track List:

A - Friends are Friends
B - Back

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Secret Life - Searching (1985)

How about a 2nd post for the day to make up for the 10-day hiatus. Probably you've heard of Secret Life by now, as they're featured on a handful of ace compilations, including the recent (and great) Underground Belgian Wave Vol 2 on Walhalla Records. Most everything I've heard by them is good, and this 7" hasn't changed that one bit. Sound is something similar to Invisible Limits / Invincible Spirit. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Searching
B - Aggression

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Project Four - Life After Life (1980)

Here's a pretty interesting 7" from the UK. I'm not entirely sure what genre I'd toss it under, as it's a little bit of a melting pot. A bizarro accumulation of sounds that blend into a rather accessible little gem. Really cool sound for 1980, I think you'll dig it. The sleeve is a foldout and I did my best to scan and piece it together, so don't forget to have a look. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Life After Life
B - Still Life

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Lister - Aber Das! (1982)

They asked for minimal synth; minimal synth hath been received.

Track List:

A1 - The Bugaloo
A2 - Could I Have Your Autograph?
A3 - The Brown Shoes Incident
A4 - Rapuntzel
A5 - From The Love Nest
A6 - Walk On Water
A7 - Lipstick Moon
A8 - Another Pedestrian
A9 - I Wonder (Dub)
B1 - The Crawling Contest
B2 - Stains
B3 - The Real Star Of The Movie
B4 - I Wonder
B5 - The Third Person
B6 - Rapuntzel (Dub)
B7 - Maybe The Jokeman

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P.S. Stay tuned / Keep it locked / Don't touch that dial

Metropolitan - Bara Du (1982)

A little Swedish synthpop never hurt anyone, so here's a healthy dose. As per usual, almost no info at all to be found about the band. This 7" was released on the Humlan label, which also released this compilation that someone out there should share :-). Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Bara Du
B - La La La

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Modern Jazz - The Nude (1986)

Wonderful band from Australia that I'm sure most everyone is familiar with by now. You may remember them from the excellent Signal To Noise Set compilation which was posted by Goutroy, and their "Bubble Head Breakdown" tape was posted on Mutant Sounds. Both are highly recommended. This LP was released on Cleopatra Records which featured such bands as The Metronomes, Cybotron, and Second Glance. Speaking of, if anyone out there has Second Glance's "Tomorrow", I'd love to hear it! Oh, there's a copy of this record on eBay right now, just in case anyone out there is interested in picking it up while they have the chance. Doesn't come around too often! Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Whole Lot Of Shakin' Goin On
A2 - Daddy-O
A3 - Neon Tubes
A4 - She Engine
B1 - The Night The Good Boy Lost His Crown
B2 - Industry
B3 - The Great Outdoors
B4 - Baulderstein

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Silent Creatures - Should I Stay (1986)

Here's a nice Belgian 7" that's heavy on the synth with a slight (at least by my ear) Robert Smith influence. Nothing distracting, but you can sense it. I only know of one other release by the band, a 7" in 1988 which supposedly has a more alternative/punk leaning. Can't speak to that, though. Seems instantly less interesting to me :). Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Should I Stay
B - The Sun

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