medical records llc

Le Cliché – Consumer Behaviour [MR042]

hipodrome, , , , , , , Leave a comment

Medical Records presents the debut full-length release of Le Cliche, entitled ‘Consumer Behaviour’. The album consists of 11 songs influenced largely by European synth pop of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. The music might be best described as minimal synth, synth pop, postmodernist, cold assembly line with neo consumerist themes, based on the use of synth sequences and virtual voices. Le Cliche is the synth project of Gerard Ryan, native of Limerick (Ireland). All of the tracks on the album are from the 2012-2014 period except for ‘I woke up this morning (like I always do)’, which is a reimagining of a 1984 demo of the track entitled ‘I dreamt I was dead’. ‘Production Line’, is the mostly instrumental opening track to the album which clearly displays its Kraftwerkian influences. The Le Cliche sound is attained by combining a mix of old and new technologies.

listen

Le Cliché – Consumer Behaviour [MR042]

Mixed Feelings – Remnants [MR041]

hipodrome, , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Medical Records in partnership with Crispy Nuggets Blog present the unreleased recordings of England’s Mixed Feelings. Mixed Feelings grew up in Basildon which was also the home of Depeche Mode. In 1981, Sean Cooper met Martin Gore on holiday (around the time of “New Life”), and they instantly hit it off discussing synthesizers, school, teachers, etc. Martin was inspirational for Sean to follow his dream of making music. They played shows at school and various locations until 1982 when they first entered a studio and recorded “Final Demand”, “Because Of You”, and “Ice Machine”. These tracks received some local airplay, and they continued to play more gigs. A year later, they entered the studio again to record a few more tracks. This LP is a collection of known recordings by Mixed Feelings. It is a brilliant snapshot into the minds and talent of a group of young musicians on a mission. The opening track “Another Place (Like Home)” sets the mood with melodic synth lines and punchy electronic accents. Excellent songwriting and moody atmospheres prevail on this record. 11 tracks in total (including one cover and homage to their inspiration early on…). Other notable tracks include “Because Of You”, “They Told You So”, and “The Captain”.

listen

Mixed Feelings – Remnants [MR041]

Bal Pare – Early Recordings [MR040]

hipodrome, , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Medical Records presents a hand-picked selection of the early recordings of Germany’s Bal Pare. Members were Kirsten Klemm (vocals), Jan T. Krahn (Synthesizer), Matthias Schuster (Synthesizer, Beatbox). and drummer Jurgen Weiss. The first Bal Pare LP “Hamburg-Paris-Catania” was released in 1982 on Konkurrenz Records. Since they had a large fanbase in Sweden, the second release (“Metamorphose”) came out in Stockholm on the Krautrock label. Around this time, a new member, Manfred Asmus , joined on keyboards and programming and Jan T. Krahn and Jergen Weiss had left the band. Much of the material from this selection of tracks were culled from unreleased sessions from the 80s with Manfred Asmus. The opening track “Rien” is a perfect display of what synth pop is modeled after. Rich lead synth textures, male/female interplayed vocals, and electronic percussion. Though the entire record flows with ease and captivates the listener from beginning to end, other standout tracks include “Palais d’Amour”, “Die Idioten”, and “Meilleur Du Monde”.

listen

Bal Pare – Early Recordings [MR040]

IKO – ’83 [MR038]

hipodrome, , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Medical Records is beyond elated to finally present to the world the first official reintroduction and reissue of the iconic IKO “83” LP. This coveted album by minimal synth aficionados around the globe has been out of print and very rare since it’s original release in 1982. Hailing from Montreal, Canada, IKO has always been shrouded in mystery. All 3 members come from an academic background (electroacoustic composition, etc), and they met at the University of Montreal in the music department. Taking from their collective influences of 60’s pop, prog and minimalist composers as well as early industrial, they played in a few early bands before solidifying the all-synth incarnation of IKO in it’s definitive lineup. The LP was originally released on Manhattan Formula.

listen

IKO – ’83 [MR038]

Pressures / Roladex – The Voices [MR030]

hipodrome, , , , Leave a comment

Roladex meet up with Pressures for a split EP of new wave choirs and industrial drum machine beats on this 7″ from Medical. While the former are a relatively new duo from New Orleans, the latter have already released on Medical and are back with a vengeance. “The Voices” by Pressures is a fast-paced, nigh-time jam with some nutty percussion work and a vast sea of lonely pads and solemn voices. On the B-side, Pressures give us “Glass Statuette”, a poppy beat groove that’ll stick in your head for hours, no thanks to its seductive and playful vocals.

listen

Pressures / Roladex – The Voices [MR030]

Kline Coma Xero – Kline Coma Xero [MR036]

hipodrome, , , , , , Leave a comment

Medical Records presents the debut full length release of Kline Coma Xero. Formed in 2012, Kline Coma Xero is a group whose work embraces elements of early minimal synth wave with distinctively thoughtful lyrics and evocative melodies. Kline Coma Xero’s Tony Williams has had his roots planted in various projects in the past, spanning a realm of styles from experimental noise, tape loops and early industrial. Using a writing style that employs the use of hardware sequencers driving analog instruments rather than computers, Kline Coma Xero produces a uniquely oblique interpretation of past-meets-present in modern electronic music.

listen

Kline Coma Xero – Kline Coma Xero [MR036]

Severed Heads – City Slab Horror [MR035]

hipodrome, , , , , , , Leave a comment

Their most varied, interesting work, City Slab Horror includes stark synthesizer workouts, several tracks of pure rhythm and noise, and, thankfully, little of the unambitious tape music for its own sake of Since the Accident. “Cyflea, Rated R,” “4.W.D.,” and the title track provide several examples of the best experimental synthesizer tracks of the mid-’80s.

listen

Severed Heads – City Slab Horror [MR035]

Alexander Robotnick – Vintage Robotnicks [MR032]

hipodrome, , , , , Leave a comment

Exclusive Record Store Day 2014. Special hand-picked selection of early singles as well as previously unreleased on vinyl tracks by Alexander Robotnick (aka Maurizio Dami). The first single on the record is “I Wanna Believe” which was released under the moniker Gina & The Flexix in 1985 on the legendary Fuzz Dance label (an Italo Disco sublabel of Materiali Sonori). It is a rare 12″ single featuring a dance-floor stomping beat, melodic synth leads and female vocals. The other single on the compilation is the 7″ version of “C’est La Vie” which was released in 1987. Most of the LP is comprised of tracks recorded from 1982-1984 which have only been released on CD in 2003 on the “Rare Robotnicks” compilation (except one track from 2005’s “Krypta 1982” and one other track culled from “Robotnick Archives”). The exclusive to vinyl tracks were hand-selected and display a diverse and ever-changing sound palette yet maintaining the unique and unmistakable Alexander Robotnick style which we have all loved through the years.

listen

Alexander Robotnick – Vintage Robotnicks [MR032]

VA – Electroconvulsive Therapy Volume 2 – Fuzz Dance [MR033]

hipodrome, , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Medical Records presents two exclusive releases. Compilation of very rare and sought after A + B sides of 3 Italo Disco iconic 12″ singles that were originally released on the legendary Fuzz Dance label (a sublabel of Materiali Sonori). The first single needs no introduction to lovers of disco. Trophy “Slow Flight” (vocal + instrumental versions) was released in 1982. A very hard-hitting percussive track with very interesting production that is quite gritty yet smooth with it’s vocoded vocals and synth melodies. The second single which is probably the most rare is Zed “Plastic Love” vocal + instrumental versions that were released in 1983. Sultry female vocals and pulsing electro sequences make these two versions absolutely essential. Clocking in at the third position on both sides are the vocal and instrumental versions of “Hesitation” by Mya & The Mirror which is a production by Alexander Robotnick (Maurizio Dami) with female vocals. Also included as bonus tracks at the end of side A and B are Mon Bijou’s “Just a Lover” and Naif Orchestra’s “Check Out Five”.

listen

VA – Electroconvulsive Therapy Volume 2 – Fuzz Dance [MR033]

Roladex – Anthems For The Micro-Age [MR031]

hipodrome, , , , , Leave a comment

https://i0.wp.com/imagescdn.juno.co.uk/300/CS520859-01A-MED.jpg

Medical Records presents it’s second contemporary artist release with Roladex. Using an arsenal of analog instruments, Roladex nostalgically borrows ideas from music of the past to carefully craft a unique brand of futuristic-mechanized pop, with an emphasis on songwriting and layered production. Weaving sparse, sequenced arpeggios into fuzzy bass and bubbly melodies to create a bed of sound where they layout a somehow bright melancholia. Part minimal synth-wave, part dream pop. The opening track “Anthem For The Micro-Age” sets the tone with dreamy atmospheric synth textures and interwoven male and female vocals. “Love Surgery” is chock full of pop hooks and synth leads interspersed with angular guitar accents. “Empty Streets” has an almost minimal John Bender bedroom aesthetic. Fans of early Wire (esp 154), Drinking Electricity, Fad Gadget and even noisy 90s shoegaze are sure to enjoy. Presented on high-quality 180gram heavyweight electric blue transparent vinyl and features a bonus LP insert with lyrics.

listen

Roladex – Anthems For The Micro-Age [MR031]

VA – Electroconvulsive Therapy Volume 1 [MR028]

hipodrome, , , , , , , Leave a comment

Medical Records is proud to release it’s first compilation LP. Medical has carefully curated a collection of extremely rare and sought after singles and rare tracks. This compilation includes 5 complete A + B sides as well as 2 other tracks that only appeared on obscure compilations in the early 80s. The first 2 tracks are by UK’s The Electronic Circus. Featuring Chris Payne (who also performed synth work on the iconic “Pleasure Principle” by none other than Gary Numan), the track “Direct Lines” is pure synthpop perfection. The second featured artist is Boston’s Psychic Youth who released one lone 7″ in 1982. One of the members, Perry Geyer, was also a founding member of the industrial outfit Manufacture. “Step in Time” and “The Future Is Now” are both dense minimal synth hits. Another excruciatingly rare 7″ is the self-titled single by UK’s Aaah…! “Slip Away” and “Duty Calls” further fit the bill for moody minimal synthpop greatness. Possibly even more rare is the Shazam single released in 1983 in the UK. The 2 “wild card” tracks if you will on the record are “Panic In Your Mind” by N.A. Pop 2000 (UK) and “Maske” by Berliner Strasse (Yugoslavia). Both tracks were plucked from rare wave compilations from the early 80s. The final single featured is the solo outing by Claude Arto from Mathematiques Modernes. Released in 1981 on Celluloid (France), the 2 tracks drip synthetic bloops and blips while being propelled by rhythmic electro sequences.

listen

VA – Electroconvulsive Therapy Volume 1 [MR028]

Medio Mutante – Eadem Mutata Resurgo [MR019]

hipodrome, , , , , , Leave a comment

Medical Records present it’s first “modern” release showcasing a full LP compilation of material by American minimal synth band Medio Mutante. The band’s sound is also a mutation of their 1980’s influences, using vintage analog synthesizers and drum machines in creative and unexpected ways. Drawing influence from such acts as El Aviador Dro, Absolute Body Control, Front 242, Duotronic Synterror, Oviformia SCI, Yukihiro Takahashi, Medio Mutante integrated it’s childhood love of late 80s/early 90s Hip Hop, Latin Freestyle, and New Wave into a hybrid concoction that is truly unique. This full LP is composed of the band’s long out of print 6 song limited EP from 2007, their limited 7″ from 2009, and 4 previously unreleased tracks.

listen

Medio Mutante – Eadem Mutata Resurgo [MR019]

Tony Carey – Explorer And Yellow Power [MR​​016]

hipodrome, , , , , , , Leave a comment

https://imagescdn.juno.co.uk/300/CS479128-01A-MED.jpg

Medical Records presents the groundbreaking electronic classic “Explorer” and its sister LP “Yellow Power” by Tony Carey. (a keyboard whiz from California) In the mid-late 1970’s, he moved to Germany and began working in Peter Hauke’s studio. Here a reissue of the highly-sought after “Explorer” LP along with “Yellow Power” as a 2LP package. Rumor has it that “Explorer” was intended to be demos for the “Yellow Power”. Eventually both of these brilliant LPs were released on X Records in 1982. “Explorer” is the more stripped down almost proto-techno meets synthed out Italo disco while “Yellow Power” has a more polished, well-rounded and produced sound with a different array of instrumentation and alteration in mood. The tracks on “Yellow Power” seem to convey a futuristic sci-fi Japanese motif which possibly explains the beautiful airbrushed samurai warrior on the original cover. Some tracks have sparse vocal samples such as on the lovely “Peking Duck” and “Queen of Scots”.

listen

Tony Carey – Explorer And Yellow Power [MR​​016]