Obscure By Degrees - I'm Dying (1981)

Fresh off the needle, this is... basically one of my all-time favorite tracks. No real way to explain it other than 'it has the stuff'. Aptly named, this scarce 7" hails from the UK and features one of the catchiest minimal synth tracks you'll hear anywhere. Magical synths and a pulsating beat team up to captivate the ears. Do check this one out if you haven't heard it before. I've seen the title track kick about here and there, but the b-side might be fresh to a lot of you... a pretty nice track as well. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - I'm Dying
B - A Woman Like You

Download (link removed by request of re-issue label)

Ting Voice - Ting Voice (1989)

Nice scarce 12" here, released on Konkurrenz, the same label as quite a few great acts, including Bale Paré, Exkurs, Die Kapazität, and Matthias Schuster (who is featured on this record, although I do not know his exact role). You'll definitely hear familiar sounds on this. Female vocals and plenty of synthwave goodness. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Les Mots
A2 - Slow 3D Pad
B1 - Allez, Allez
B2 - Ting Voice

Download

Various Artists - Climax (Cassette) (1985)

Well, I have to start this post by saying this is probably the best tape compilation I have ever heard. Probably the best compilation on any format, actually. I almost want to tell you to stop reading this and just download it ASAP. If you download anything from this blog, or forward anything I've posted to your friends, this would be a great place to start.

This tape features some of the best from Belgium. Absolutely crisp, dark, icey, danceable synth perfection throughout. Many of you will be familiar with the Asmodaeus track, as well as the Emotional Violence track called "Feeling The Cold", which has floated around the internet incorrectly tagged as "Asmodaeus - Feel The Cold".

There's an interesting and somewhat humorous note on the insert:

Writers note: it was my intention to make you a cassette with a large amount of variations and I succeeded quite good. You see, I bring you: depression of Asmodaeus, semi-industry with Magthea, romantic stuff from Somnambulist, commercial acts from Emotional Violence, Schicksal and Braindamage.

Haha! ..."and I succeeded quite good"... No arguments from me. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that this is, of course, related to the Climax Productions LP I posted a while back. Well, I think I've rambled enough about this for now. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Schicksal - Time
A2 - Schicksal - Saturday
A3 - Danton's Voice - I Hear The Bells
A4 - Somnambulist - Mystical Landscape
A5 - Braindamage - Captive
A6 - Asmodaeus - Radiation Dance
B1 - Somnambulist - Ashamed
B2 - Braindamage - Braindamage
B3 - Asmodaeus - Meet You In Poland
B4 - Emotional Violence - Spider's Web
B5 - Emotional Violence - Feeling The Cold
B6 - Magthea - City Fever
B7 - Magthea - Saxa Pullations

Download

Madame Bovary - Be My Friend (In Spite Of All) (1986)

Very nice 7" from France. I sure have posted a lot of French releases lately... I need to switch it up already! Anyway, this should fit right in with all your favorites, great sound on the title track. As a bonus, here's a track from one of their later releases: Tell Me Why. Also quite nice. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Be My Friend (In Spite Of All)
B - I'm A Runner

Download