New Music: Ortrotasce - S/T LP (2014)

Thanks to the generosity of one Mr. Joey Buttons, owner of the relatively new Disko Obscura label, I've been granted early access to the next record to join his line-up of analog synth diamonds -- and it's the bomb.

Ortrotasce is the project of Nic Hamersly who, if you follow contemporary minimal synth artists, you are likely to have heard of by now. After a slew of web releases, a few tapes, and a 7" on FlexiWave, the time has finally come for a full-blown LP. The album represents a collection of tracks that Nic recorded across the US from 2012-2013, now mastered by A.J. Tissian, who has done work for Martial Canterel, Xeno & Oaklander, and Automelodi, just to name a few.

As an avid follower of Ortrotasce's music, I was quite pleased with the selection of tracks for this LP. In my quite humble opinion, Nic is one of the most versatile artists in underground electronic music today. Whether it's minimal, electro, ebm, coldwave, synthpop, cosmic, or even the more post-punk gothic stylings of his other project, Warmline (briefly reviewed here) -- it seems he can do it all. Tip 'o the hat to Disko Obscura for managing to corral and showcase a wide array of stylings, without sacrificing the cohesive feel of an album.

This has easily ranked among my most eagerly awaited releases, and I'm sure many of you already agree. Below you will find 2 free downloads provided exclusively for Crispy Nuggets fans. They do have excellent taste, afterall. The LP should be sent out from the pressing plant to European distros on May 7th, and the remaining copies will ship to Joey out of San Francisco on May 12th, then out to customers on the 16th. Please contact Joey for details. He'll start taking US pre-orders on the 7th! Enjoy!

Track List:

A1. World Un Related (free download!)
A2. Diffuse
A3. New System
A4. Shatter
B1. The Body (free download!)
B2. Losing Mind (listen on Soundcloud)
B3. Expanding Room
B4. Passion
B5. Exit

Please like and support this artist and label:
Ortrotasce on Facebook

Disko Obscura on Facebook 

Bonus! Ortrotasce performing "World Un Related" live at my underground synth night here in Orlando (best viewed in 720p):

(direct YouTube link)

Luxus - Careers And Futures (1981)

'Twas the night before Xmas

When all through the house

Not a record was spinning

Not even John Maus

The needle was dropped on the record with care

In hopes that great sounds would be found there

The needle was nestled all snug in its groove

While sounds of great synths could not improve

Ok, I ran out of ideas so I have to stop the carol there. Wanted to put this up while I still have time before packing up to leave for the holidays! First let me say, what a great sleeve! This one was just begging to be checked out, and the synth magic beneath does not disappoint. Really obscure 7" from the US that I'd only recently discovered. I really hope more information on this band pops up, because my hands are empty and I'd love to know more! (update: see comments for further details and another release, compliments of Frankie Teardrop!)

I'll be back in 2014... perhaps with a... compilation? Enjoy and happy holidays!

Track List:

A - Careers And Futures
B - Spots On The Wall

Download

New Label: This Statement Records re-issues former Crispy Nuggets post with bonus tracks!

Extremely happy to announce a new release on a brand new label run by a very close friend in Greece called This Statement Records! He's been working his ass off to put together a re-issue of a former 7" posted on this blog, including 3 bonus tracks never heard before! The first release (of hopefully many to come) is for the brilliant UK band Distant Drums. Always been one of my favorite posts here and their brilliant 7" has been a must have for many collectors.

The artwork from the original release has been brilliantly transferred to 12" with some minor edits to include the new material. It really looks stunning, but the transparent blue vinyl is even more gorgeous (also available in standard black... but supplies limited for each!). I was thrilled with the sound of the record, the synths and vocals and bass all come through nice and clear, for every track. There is also an awesome insert on thick, sturdy paper with a great image of the band and bio on the back. Really impressed with every aspect of this release, I must say.

The 3 bonus songs are taken from the only known demo cassette in existence, so thankfully they are preserved in the grooves of vinyl and not lost forever! You can listen to those over on the label's website (links below). 

Facebook

Website

This record is limited to only 303 copies! I hope you like what you hear and support this brand new label. I know he can do great things if he gets off the ground. Thanks for reading, enjoy!

Various Artists - Electroconvulsive Therapy Vol. 1

So excited to announce the release of our first compilation LP on Medical Records LLC, featuring a few artists previously posted on this blog and other well-known names!

Listen and buy below, thanks as always for the continued support! You make it possible for us to do more of these in the future!

Angie - Scheue Treue (1983)

Today we have a hard to find 7" from Austria by 'Angie', also known as Angie Mörth, who is probably most well-known as a member of the band Astaron. Our friend Goutroy provided a nice bio on that band, here. Well worth checking out, if you haven't already.

Angie provides us with 2 wonderful synth wave tracks on this record that I think will appeal to fans of Rive Gauche, Carol, Ann-ka, etc. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Scheue Treue
B - Goldfinger

Download

Lister / Mørkelagt Bevegelse - En Side Hver (1984)

Ok so I've slept on posting this one for a long time now, but here it is (finally!). A split tape from Norway, featuring two artists previously posted on this blog that you can find here and here. The Lister side doesn't offer too much in the way of thrills, but I certainly enjoy Mørkelagt Bevegelse's contributions here. There aren't any other MB releases that I'm aware of, so.. enjoy!

P.S. I have a few great posts lined up, so stay tuned!

Track List:

A1 - Lister - Et Skritt Frem Og Ti Til Siden
A2 - Lister - Another Mt. Fuji
A3 - Lister - Eifantz
A4 - Lister - Paraplylandskap
B1 - Mørkelagt Bevegelse - A Loss Of Memories
B2 - Mørkelagt Bevegelse - In Need Of Answers
B3 - Mørkelagt Bevegelse - They Don't Die, But Still...
B4 - Mørkelagt Bevegelse - Compared To An Image

Download

Cry - Looking To The Future (1983)

Looking for a fix of that melancholic, DIY minimal synth sound? Well strap up, here comes an injection. The UK, land of so many nuggets, is responsible yet again for this one. The title track is a true gem of driving, pulsing synth and just the right touch of guitar mixed in. The b-side is a sleepy guitar-only ballad, but you won't mind when you go back to the a-side for another listen.

The band was supposedly going to release an LP, although I'm "fairly" certain that never happened (I hope I'm wrong). Maybe it was recorded, though. Maybe someone out there knows. Maybe a band member will see this and let us know. Maybe.

For now, Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Looking To The Future
B - Alone

Download (minus.com)
Download (direct)

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

Download

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

Download (link updated: 10/3/2013)

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

Download

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

Download

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

Download

Velvascurge - Human Element (1985)

If you caught Goutroy's recent compilation of excellent obscurities then you probably noticed the excellent Velvascurge song "...In The Numbers". For me it's the standout track on the record (honorable mention to "Shadow (Reprise)"), but since I know many of you are just like myself and like to hear the whole thing... here it is! Velvascurge were a US trio from Miami, FL with only one other release in 1989, a CD called "Wiggley Snake" (thanks to Vinyl Obscurity for that info). Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Only The Shadow Knows
A2 - ...In The Numbers
A3 - Shadow (Reprise)
B1 - Wild Western World
B2 - Syndicated Life

Download

Die Idole - Self-titled (1982)

Check out that sweet pants & boots combo! Ahem, sorry, the music inside this cover is pretty great as well. One more from Deutschland before I retire for the weekend. Really great NDW that was summarized perfectly by the legendary bX when he said, "like Abwärts going synth". No other releases that I'm aware of outside of a 7" single that contains 2 tracks already found on this LP. They have one other song called "Neue Zeit" on an unofficial v/a CD-r from 2003 that I wouldn't mind hearing, if anyone happens to have it. Enjoy!

Tracklist:

A1 - Alles Oder Nichts
A2 - Nova Kultura
A3 - Hautnah
A4 - Sorglos
B1 - Grossstadtleben
B2 - Pfahl Im Fleisch
B3 - Helden
B4 - Langeweile

Download

Fix & Fertig - Wie Der Lichte Tag (1984)

Really nice minimal weirdness from Deutschland. Both male and female vocals set against droning, pulsing minimal beats and clashing percussion. Plenty to enjoy about this peculiar obscurity. There's a band by the same name on Discogs, but nothing other than coincidence would lead me to believe they're related, as the style and sound surely aren't... I suppose it's possible they changed their sound from uber kalt awesomeness to corny garbage, though. Who knows? Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Cube Carrelage Blanc
A2 - We Shall Overcome
A3 - Les Gammas
B1 - Eingesperrt
B2 - Duck Duck

Download

Pop Negatif Wastad - Self-titled (1989)

Things got a bit light and pop there for a minute, didn't they. Let's go dark. Here's an excellent mini-LP from the UK, layered in darkness from beginning to end. The record kick-starts with "Valium", a brilliant track with drilling synth and male/female vox. Maybe my favorite, but hard to say. You may be familiar with "Iawn", which has gotten some play on them youtubes. See the bizarre video below. Enjoy!



Track List:

A1 - Valium
A2 - Pop Negatif Wastad
A3 - Kerosene
B1 - Iawn
B2 - Pop Negatif
B3 - ''Helo Rhywbeth Newydd''

Download

Remote Start - Automated Man (1982)

Some of you may recognize this one from the None Night of Flexipop compilations, which featured the title track. If you haven't heard the b-side, you should definitely check it out. I prefer it to the title track, but both are minimal synth classics. This obscure 7" was made in the UK and produced by Steve Coe of Monsoon (although rather different sounds, indeed). Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Automated Man
B - Debutante

Download

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

Plastic Dolls - Don't Forget Me (1984)

What a fantastically rare Greek 7" we have here. There's almost nothing to be known about this one. At least, I don't have a clue (so if anyone out there knows something about this band, please speak up). I can tell you that it's one of the best unknowns from Greece you'll ever hear. The title track features drilling synth perfection, male and female vox, and a great chorus topped off by just the right amount of guitar. "The End" sets a much darker, desperately melancholic tone. And, of course, that is a good thing! Minimalist design and lack of cover helped bury this gem in a few bins, I'm sure. Keep an eye out while you hunt. In the meantime, enjoy!

Track List:

A - Don't Forget Me
B - The End

Download

Aaah...! - Unreleased 3rd Single (1984)

Here we have a set of songs that were intended to be released as a single (the band's 3rd), but unfortunately never quite made it there. You can get the 1st single here, and the 2nd here. I should note, this is not an official album art, as there never was one. For me the sound is just about in between the more serious approach of the first single and the playfully pop approach of the second. As with the Input:Output single, the vocal work here is done by Henry Kent, not Kez Stone. Both tracks are pretty slick, hats off once again to the Aaah...! boys. Enjoy!

Track List:

Love Torpedo
Love Toy

Download