Dono Detti - Esplanade Hotel, Live 18 March 1983

Here's a very special treat from way down under (and way back when music was fresh and exciting). You may be familiar with this Aussie band by way of the compilation Signal To Noise Set, which contains their great track Flesh and Steel (wait till around the 1 minute mark). Here's what little info I know on the band itself:

Initiated in 1983 as an experimental project by Jandy & Joseph. They were joined by Wes on keyboards for a while before the line up settled with Jandy Rainbow on vocals, programming & keyboards, Julie McInnes on vocals, sax & cello, Joseph Sgro on electronic percussion & backing vocals and Ross Guy on synthesiser & backings vocals.

Well, as is usually the case with these bands, there is more (although often hard to find). In this case, we have a CD-r from 2004 that went almost entirely under the radar, containing a live set performed by the band in 1983. I'm not usually one for live material, but these are crystal clear and sound more like solid demos.

There are 2 other such releases to my knowledge, another from 1983 and one from 1984 as well. If anyone can help those surface, that would be amazing! For now, enjoy!

Track List:

01 - We Grow Old
02 - Stuffed Shirt
03 - Shallow Vessel
04 - Strange Fruit
05 - Automation
06 - Machines Are Taking Over
07 - Surrender To Your Kiss
08 - The Cat
09 - Flash

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Vital Signs - Trading In Guilt (1983)

Here we have a very rare minimal synth 7" out of the UK -- I don't even think it has a discogs entry yet. In any case this isn't easy to come by and won't come cheap (not unlike many other posts here, but that's kind of the point of this blog!), so... Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Trading In Guilt
B - Miracles

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Near Paris - Untitled (1985)

This is probably one of the best obscure wave records to come out of the US. Highly sought after -- and for good reason. Four solid tracks of dark electronics, guitars, and female vocals. Unfortunately there are only 4 tracks on this, their only release. It certainly leaves you wanting more. Don't miss it. Enjoy!

(Update: Nov. 22, 2010 - there will be more!)

Track List:

A1 - Visions
A2 - Shattered Glass
B1 - Ceiling
B2 - Believe Me

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Ignatius Jones - Discography (82-83)

Ignatius Jones is an Australian actor who was initially the lead singer of the band Jimmy And The Boys in the late 70s and early 80s, before breaking solo to create the following releases. On Like A Ghost, both the title track and "It's No Reason" were originally written by Steve Kilbey of The Church. You'll find that Jones' versions add a bit more of a new wave flair to the songs. The next release, Whispering Your Name, is quite good as well and a bit hard to come by... I'll provide videos for each release below. Enjoy!
Oh, I believe there was also a 12" called Double Dance Monster, which had different versions (lengths) of each title-track, which I do not have, so if anyone out there wanted to share it... ;-)

Ignatius Jones - Like A Ghost (12") and (7") (1982)


12" Track List:

A1 - Like A Ghost (An M & M Mix)
A2 - Seductive Ways
B1 - Like A Ghost (Original Version) (6:32)
B2 - It's No Reason

Download


7" Track List:

A - Like A Ghost (3:28)
B - Seductive Ways

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Ignatius Jones - Whispering Your Name (7") (1983)


Track List:

A - Whispering Your Name
B - It's No Reason

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Vitality - Life Styles (1986)

This is a great 7" out of Sweden, the only release by the band. Both sides are brilliant minimal synthpop. "East People" is probably my favorite of the two. It's been hard tracking this one down, until now. If you're looking to buy it, it's gonna cost you. Otherwise, enjoy!

Track list:

A - Life Styles
B - East People

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Bizarre Leidenschaft - Geheimnis (1982)

Here's a record that deserves a little more attention. Surely the most knowledgeable of you already know this one (or are lucky enough to own it), but I'm guessing many haven't yet had the pleasure. Fantastic minimal synthpop album out of Germany, that I can honestly say is a great listen from beginning to end. Favorites from this would be "Störung", "Geheimnis", and "Himbeerschokoladentorte". Don't be surprised if you're reminded of Grauzone on occasion. :) Check it out!

Track List:

A1 - Bizarre L.
A2 - Störung
A3 - Oho
A4 - Geheimnis
A5 - Kulissen
B1 - Himbeerschokoladentorte
B2 - Plasticpuppen
B3 - Tanzbär
B4 - Mädchen
B5 - Frauenbeine
B6 - Rio

Download (sendspace)
Download (direct)

Hanover Fist - Razor Garden (1986)

Here we have my favorite of the 4 singles released by this US synthpop band. This little nugget is ultra dark and club-ready, sure to get a few bodies moving on the dance floor. I'd have posted their other releases, but I'm not nearly as fond of them. Feel free to request, though. Anyway, enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Razor Garden (12") (8:06)
B1 - Razor Garden (7") (3:50)
B2 - Razor Garden (Double Stubble) (3:14)

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Soma Holiday - Shake Your Molecules (1984)

This one should indeed inspire you to shake your molecules to its ultra groovy, dance-floor ready beat. Jane Honicker lays down some of the best female vox you can find. Dark, creepy, and Siouxsie-esque at times. My copy of this is a little noisy here and there, but good enough. Enjoy!

Track list:

A - Shake Your Molecules (The Neutron Dance)
B - Too Many People (Version)

Download (sendspace)
Download (direct)

Naked Lunch - You Tie Me Down (1984)

Filling soundmill's request, Naked Lunch's 3rd and final 7" release.

Track list:

A - You Tie Me Down
B - Laugh Your Mind Away

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Naked Lunch - Rabies (1981)

Nice debut 7" from the UK's Naked Lunch, who took their name from William S Burroughs' 1959 novel. Probably my favorite of their... I think, 3 releases... correct me if I'm wrong. You should enjoy both sides of this minimal synth gem.

Track list:

A - Rabies
B - Slipping Again

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Lonely Boys - Hold Me (1986)

I have to say I really love this one. After he left Alphaville, Frank Mertens released this 12" with his girlfriend Martina on vocals. I am a huge sucker for his genius on the synths, with tracks like "Summer In Berlin" and "A Victory of Love". If you like those songs, you should also enjoy this record. Title track is just great... not much else I can say, check it out!

Track list:

A1 - Hold Me (Extended Remix)
B1 - Hold Me
B2 - Lonely Boy

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1-Syntax-1 - Negatives (1984)

Nice minimal/synthpop 7" from the UK. 1-Syntax-1 split up around 1985, with members going on to collaborate with other bands, including Camera Obscura, Paradise Now, and Hoi Poloi (Steve Wright of Fiat Lux). The three members of the band were aged 19 to 20 when this was released. I'm particularly fond of the B-side track "Feel No Touch". Check it out.

Track list:

A - Negatives
B - Feel No Touch

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R.E.K. - Computer Haben Herzschmerz (1983)

Super catchy minimal/synthpop 7" (also available on 12"). Really nice, warm analog synth sounds accompanied by a nice mix of male and female vocals. Easy to enjoy this one.

Track list:

A - Computer Haben Herzschmerz
B - Die Zeitmaschine

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Mirrors - Two Tracks (2009)

Brand new and absolutely brilliant synthpop band out of the UK. I hope for and expect great things from them. They have no official release yet (that I'm aware of...), but they're releasing a 7" for which I will provide a purchase link below. Both of these tracks are great, I look forward to a full-length release. Check them out!

Look At Me

OrganSong (demo)

Order the Look At Me 7" here.

Carol - Breakdown (1981)

How about a female vocalist for a change. Nice 7" written/composed by Micky Mike of Snowy Red fame. Hard to come by and pretty sought after I'm afraid. "So Low" is probably my favorite of the two nice tracks. Great/haunting synths. Enjoy.

Track list:

A - Breakdown
B - So Low

Download

Position Parallèle - Self-Titled (2008)

This album is brilliant from beginning to end. Perfect, beautiful, dark... everything a lover of classic minimal/synthpop could want in a modern band. Again, I won't post the entire album as it is commercially available, but you can have a taste. Besides, I'm sure you all know where to look if you really want to find it. I couldn't decide which tracks to choose, so I just picked randomly. Hope you dig.

By the way, Geoffrey D., aka Dernière Volonté, is a member of this group. For those of you that are fans.

Track list:

1		Hotel Du Nord (download)
2		Tes Lèvres... / Passe Les Portes
3		Gorge "Arachnée"
4		Je Reviendrai
5		Émission
6		Fortune
7		Si Calme (download)
8		Une Erreur

If you like it (and you should!), you can buy it here.

Cold Cave - Love Comes Close (2009)

Not going to upload the entire album of this currently active band, but I thought I'd shed some light on new acts too. By now this band is fairly well-known, but if you haven't yet heard of them, I recommend it. They put out most of their stuff on vinyl too, which I happen to appreciate!

Track list:

A1		Cebe And Me
A2		Love Comes Close
A3		Life Magazine
A4		The Laurels Of Erotomania
A5		Heaven Was Full (download)
B1		The Trees Grew Emotions And Died
B2		Hello Rats
B3		Youth And Lust (download)
B4		I.C.D.K.

If you like it, you can buy the LP (or CD) at Insound.

Art Fine - Dark Silence (1985)

Well, good luck getting ahold of this one. Super rare italo-disco 12" that I believe fetched $500 on eBay at one point. Really catchy tune.

Track list:

A) Dark Silence (Vocal)
B) Dark Silence (Instrumental)

Download

ZeitGeist - Der Kapitaen (1983)

I recently bought this 7" and I consider it worth every penny. It's an interesting blend of songs, the 2 tracks aren't very similar. The A side is more of a pop song, featuring female vocals, and then you have my favorite part of this record, the B side, which features dark, echoey male vocals, great synth melody, and brilliant drum work. You should really check this one out!

If anyone has anything else by them, I'd love to hear it. I believe they have a few LPs.

Tracklist:

A - Der Kapitaen
B - Chor Der Besinnungslosen

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Last Man In Europe - ... A Certain Bridge (1981)

This is a nice 7" from the UK which sounds a bit like early Cure/Siouxsie at times -- in a good way of course. I'm particularly fond of "Complications". I've seen the first 2 tracks from this around, but never the last track, which is why I ripped this. Hope the sound is ok, let me know if it's not!

Tracklist:

A1 - A Certain Bridge
B1 - T.V. Addict
B2 - Complications

Download