Di Leva - The Single Man (1982)

Di Leva (also known as Thomas Di Leva) is an alias of Swedish musician Sven Thomas Magnusson who has had quite a few releases up to date. Most of what I've heard came from the early/mid 80s and is more or less pop-based, so I can't speak for the content of his modern material. This 7" single is the real treasure, for me, among all his releases. The title track, "The Single Man", is a cover of US poet and musician Rod McKuen who originally penned the song in the 60s. Needless to say, Rod didn't take the dark minimal synth approach, but that's ok because Di Leva did! He was kind enough to add a solid synthwave track to the b-side, as well. Great record, enjoy!

Track List:

A - The Single Man

B - Appear Of Need

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F-Systems - People (1980)

Here's a fun 7" from the southern United States. Austin, Texas of all places! Don't be fooled, however, as the sounds held within resemble something more like a British import. The standout track "People" is a catchy sort of synth-driven post-punk that I can't seem to get enough of... (see the video performance below). Shiny gold top and vocals with attitude for miles. The b-side is no slouch, either. Fits in quite well around here. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - People
B - Naked Kiss

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Ann-ka - Note Coloré (198x)

Here's a long sought after 7-inch request that was graciously filled by my friend George "Hysteric". Entirely unsure of the release year (sounds about 81-85), so if anyone knows, please share. I was not at all disappointed when I finally got to hear this wonderous gem. It's just about everything you'd hope for and expect of French minimal synth. Female vox on top of infectious rhythm. What I found strange, though, is that the A-side is the instrumental, saving the vocal track for last. It is a nice instrumental indeed, but the vocals on "Storia" add a crisp, sexy edge that will have you returning for more. No hit it and quit it, here. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Note Coloré
B - Storia

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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

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Various Artists - Crispy Nuggets (Vol. 3)

It seems like with every passing day I have less and less time to post on this blog, but I enjoy putting these comps together, perhaps more than you enjoy listening to them, so here's another! A pretty decent spread of mostly unknowns here, with a few familiar faces if you caught volumes 1 & 2. I've posted the Calling Hearts track before, but didn't want it just floating around in space (although that seems appropriate, given its title) so it's getting a home on CN3. Big shouts to Kez Stone and Neale Potts for their contributions here. Two brilliant musicians if I may say so. Don't have much time for info, but I'll do my best to answer any queries in the comments later on. Have a good weekend, all. Enjoy!

Track List:

01 - Aaah...! - Sound Machine
02 - Artistic Control - Walking In Love's Shadow
03 - Chromagain - Ethnicbox
04 - Forêt Obscure - The Sun, The Sea
05 - Standing Ovation - What Meaning
06 - Passing Strangers - Pain & Passion
07 - Marge &The Marvellous - A Distant Dance
08 - Sam Rosenthal - The Return
09 - Leda Atomica - Delirium Tremens
10 - Calling Hearts - Cosmology
11 - Tres - Moving Her Hands
12 - Vox Zema - The Drop
13 - Liquid Eyes - Breath Control (title updated Feb. 26, 2013)
14 - Proximity - My Thoughts Correspond
15 - Tiger Club - Laugh Last

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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)

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The Toy Shop - The Maze (1981)

Here's a rather scarce minimal synthpop release from the UK that, for reasons unknown to me, sells for a lot of money on eBay. Last I saw it went for almost $300. Who are you people out there willing to pay that for a 7-inch? Wouldn't you prefer a nice vacation or something? Just kidding of course, I've wasted my fair share on plenty of dusty presses. In any case, as there may be a few out there wanting to hear this one, here it is! Synthy fun in the vein of early DM, etc. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - The Maze
B - Live Wires Kill

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Silent Ambition - Untitled (1986)

Might recognize the b-side track on this one if you're familiar with the None Night of Flexipop compilations. This totally obscure 7-inch slipped into the hands of very few British folk back in '86 and now it's cruising to your ears, and I hope you'll like it as much as I do. For those familiar with "Remember", the a-side is an emotional, melodic minimal synth gem that compliments it's counterpart perfectly. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Demon & The Dog
B - Remember?

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Pas De Deux - Axe Ends (1983)

Not much time for a description today. I assume the band needs little introduction as it is, after having other released posted on several blogs already! This is a wonderfully rare german-released LP by the Belgian group, and features my favorite PDD track, "Cardiocleptomanie" which was featured a while back on Crispy Nuggets Vol. 1.

Tracks A4 and A5 are connected by "lock groove" and were ripped as one mp3. Enjoy!


Track List:

A1 - Rendez Vous
A2 - Lits Jumeaux
A3 - Take A Cigarette 1
A4 - A5 - Cold Turkey / Axe Ends
B1 - A Million Miles
B2 - Little Danny
B3 - Cardiocleptomanie
B4 - Lonely Guys
B5 - Wavin'

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Factual - For The Song (1984)

Here we have the last release from Tennessee-based synth band, Factual. You can get the earlier 2 records here on Goutroy's blog to complete the discography. A while back I posted another Robb Earls project called Warm Dark Pocket, which you can get here. Mr. Goutroy did most of the work on the bio, so I'll just say this ones right about in line with the rest of Factual's material. The title track is a truly great blend of guitar and synth work that shouldn't disappoint. It reminds me of Epitaphe, a bit. The b-side is of course a remix of the title song taken from a previous 12", also quite nice! Enjoy.

Track List:

A - For The Song
B - Psychotic Romance (Remix)

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Friends Of The Maid - Friends Of The Maid (1984)

It's been quite a long time since I've posted anything here, and I'm sorry for that! I've been in between homes, and finally getting settled down again. Hopefully I'll be able to post a bit more often now!

This DIY 12" was made in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA! A great obscure synthwave record for your listening pleasure. The main line-up involved in recording this record had a split after the record was released, although Brett Edgar and Carl White supposedly continued on and recorded more music as Friends Of The Maid (I have no further knowledge of this). The obvious stand-out track here is "Love Turn Around", which really could have been a hit with a bit more exposure. Enjoy!


Track List:

A1 - Love Turn Around
A2 - My Love For You Is Gone
B1 - Waiting For A Chance
B2 - Carolina Called
B3 - Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life
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Various Artists - Crispy Nuggets (Vol. 2)

Ok, you guys liked the first one, so here's the 2nd unofficial compilation of obscurities that I put together. Can't promise the same results, but I think these tracks are pretty great. Lots of unreleased stuff gathered here. I figure it's about time some things be heard.

Big thanks to my friend Kez, a former member/vocalist of Aaah...! who was kind enough to share some unreleased material as well as a few of his other works with me. I chose 2 from Artistic Control and 1 Ahhh...! demo for this compilation. Expect to hear more on Volume 3... I hear talks of an Aaah...! re-release on Dark Entries trickling through the grapevine. Each and every one of you should keep and eye out and add that to your collection when it drops.

Hope you guys dig this half as much as you did the first one. I'll see what I can do about CN3. Enjoy!


Track List:

01 - Artistic Control - Dance With Me
02 - Decode - Planet Of Youth
03 - The Trial - Terrible Scream
04 - Aaah...! - My World Inside
05 - Fizzy Scalps - Il y a Longtemps
06 - Bobby And Synthia - Dig That Space
07 - Siflèt - Rodger
08 - Tres - TV
09 - The Paradox - The Shadow Took Shape
10 - Sidewalk Cindy - Carry On
11 - David Sinfield - N.Y. Two
12 - Astrea Redux - Timemachine
13 - Caplo Banaal - I
14 - Paul Chambers - Take A Ticket
15 - Artistic Control - Fallen Angel

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