Lives Of Angels – Hole In The Sky [DE172]

July 18, 2017July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, dark entries records, gerald o’connell, lives of angels, minimal synth, new wave, post punk, synth popLeave a comment

Lives of Angels was the brainchild of Gerald O’Connell from London, England. ‘Hole In The Sky’ is an 11-track compilation of material from the Lives of Angels archives. Including two tracks from the original ‘Elevator To Eden’ cassette omitted from our vinyl reissue, two tracks from Color Disc compilations and 7 previously unreleased tracks. This compilation features the very earliest Lives of Angels recordings “Call Moscow” and “Somebody Else” as well as the final composition from 1986 “The Infinite Corridor” plus original mixes of “After Dark” and “Look Out Kid” different than the versions on the ‘Color Supplement’ compilation. ‘Hole In The Sky’ is an impressive example of early ’80s home recording; a DIY interpretation of the elegance and ambition of the previous decade’s krautrock.

VA – Distant Waves II [DWR015]

July 13, 2017May 24, 2023 hipodromealmost alone, boris dzaneck, broken tables, compilation, dead wax records, grey Parade, la valse, minimal synth, new wave, nightmoves, post punk, seeing red, standing ovation, störung, synth pop, synth wave, the sixth senseLeave a comment

Dead Wax Records presents “Distant Waves II”, a follow up of the well received 2014 compilation. This was compiled in three whole years (and a lot of research work) and is a collection of songs that share some common factors: they all were made in the 80s, they all feature synths and they all are extremely sought after, rare as hell or just previously unreleased. There are obvious style variations as each band here is unique but “Distant Waves II” is quite more homogeneous than its predecessor. We have the upbeat, danceable minimalism of Standing Ovation, Boris Dzaneck, Störung, Doppler Effect and Factoría Ribbentrop. The cold, moody melancholy of Broken Tables and La Valse. Virtually unknown acts like The Sixth Sense, Seeing Red and Almost Anyone, heavily underrated new wave giants like Grey Parade and Puppets Of Mankind. An unreleased synth pop masterpiece from Almost Alone here, an unheard 7” rendition of a worldwide dancefloor smasher by Nightmoves there. A total of 14 amazing tracks, all ‘instant classics’

VA – Terra Incognita [ERC034]

June 25, 2017March 30, 2023 hipodromeattrition, bene gesserit, compilation, denis mpunga, emotional rescue, emotional response recordings, experimental, minimal synth, new wave, outernational, synth pop, zazouLeave a comment

Emotional Rescue starts its 5th year by shining a light on one of Europe’s best underground 80s’ label in Spain’s Auxilio De Ciento. Their Terra Incognita Volumes I and II collated an international mix of synth-pop, new wave, world and industrial sounds to a small but appreciative following. Released in 1985 and 1986, the Volumes have become highly regarded and rightly sought after, finding a place in discerning playlists from London to Amsterdam and Dusseldorf to Glasgow. Here, taking a premise of avoiding the songs unearthed on other recent reissues, is a unique album itself. Starting with Denis Mpunga & Paul K’s esoteric Criola, a fusion of fourth world ideals and poly-rhythmic funk. The music of Mal, Bene Gesserit and La Caida De La Casa Usher, however, soon highlight that the decade also belonged to dark, minimal synth as to shiny balearic ideals. The inclusion of Hector Zazou with Bony Biyake and their contribution Komba, is a fitting continuation from their cult Noir Et Blanc LP before, things continue with US avant-artist Danny Alias and his humorous Big Brother “response” to Laurie Anderson’s Superman O. Image Pour Image loose indie-pop and the inclusion of seminal Beast Of Burden lead again to a Zazou contribution, this time in his collaborative Stranger In A New Light, before the compilation eclectically ends with the dadaesque Lakota and the post punk dub of Instead Of’s closer, Angels .

Martin Dupont – The Lights (Mick Wills Edits) [VSS010]

April 26, 2017June 25, 2019 hipodromeedits, martin dupont, mick wills, minimal synth, new wave, prego, synth pop, vielspaß recordsLeave a comment

The edit master strikes again! This is the second Edits EP from Mick Wills on Vielspass/Prego with courtesy of Alain Seghir. “The lights” is a New Wave anthemn carried out by one of the most talented and obscure french band of the eighties : Martin Dupont. Deeply romantic “The Light Goes Through My Mouth” and “He Saw The Light” are enhanced by the Dx7 amazing synths atmospheres, both tracks shaped into Mick Wills stunning club versions. This release is inspired by Natalie Ann’s love for Martin Dupont’s “The Light Goes Through My Mouth”, helped by the magic touch of Isabella Venis associated to Knappy Kaiserknappy for the design / Artwork and thanks to Isolator for the Mastering.

Obscure By Degrees – A Woman Like You [NMP004]

October 5, 2016October 4, 2016 hipodromedisco, electro, new wave, no more pop, obscure by degrees, phil towner, zener colorLeave a comment

No More Pop returns after the summer with a surprising New Wave release by Obscure by Degrees. The extremely rare original from 1981 has been remastered and geniously remixed by swedish artist Zener Color.

Din A Testbild – Programm 1&2 [MNQ090/MNQ091]

June 27, 2016July 17, 2019 hipodromedin a testbild, electro, gudrun gut, innovative communication, mannequin records, mark eins, new wave, post punk, re-release, reissue, synth popLeave a comment

Early pioneers of the German New Wave music scene, Din A Testbild were formed in 1978 by Mark Eins and Gudrun Gut (former member of Einstürzende Neubauten, Mania D. and Malaria!). Din A Testbild played a significant role in defining the avant-garde music of Berlin. Legendary is their partecipation at the “Festival Genialer Dilletanten” in 1981. “Programm 1” and ‘Programm 2’ were mixed and produced by Klaus Schulze on his own record label Innovative Communication in 1980. This first vinyl repress celebrates the 35th anniversary of this classic electronic album.

Lunapark – Gefangene Voegel LP [DE113]

May 30, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, burkhard ballein, dark entries records, klaus gebauer, lunapark, new wave, reinhard benisch, synth popLeave a comment

Lunapark is the trio of Burkhard Ballein, Klaus ”Schlips” Gebauer, Reinhard ”Zoppen” Benisch from Wuppertal, Germany. Formed in 1981 when the boys were dissatisfied with their surrounding musical environment. They packed their instruments and a cassette recorder and set off to create their own brand of Neue Deutsche Welle (NDW ‘New German Wave’). Their influences included The Beatles, Colloseum, Roxy Music, Frank Zappa as well as Sex Pistols, Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Blondie and The Cure. “Gefangene Vögel’ (‘Prisoner Birds’) is their debut album released by Intakt Records, Stuttgart in 1982. Utilizing a simple set up of guitar, bass, drums, drum-computer, Korg MS-10 and Korg MS-20 they recorded 10 tracks that make up the album. Songs bridge the Belgian-type industrial and cold sounds with NDW quirkiness. In the vein of Sad Lovers and Giants, and Schleimer K they blend post-punk and new wave music with electronic influences. All songs are sung in German with monotone vocals and epitomized the urban Zeitgeist of the Cold War. All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The vinyl comes housed in a replica of the original jacket design, which features a drawing of birds on a grid. There are 4 different color versions of the screen printed jacket: blue, yellow, magenta and turquoise. Each LP includes a copy of the double sided 11×11 insert that was included with the original pressing with lyrics and photos.

VA – Household Shocks LP [DE114]

May 9, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromecompilation, dark entries records, defectors, fault 151, juveniles, minimal synth, mystery girls, new wave, one gang logic, post punk, product of reason, sinking ships, stark products, thunderboys, urbantechLeave a comment

Dark Entries present “Household Shocks”, a 16-track compilation of UK DIY/Synth/New Wave/Post-Punk originally released in 1980. The album showcases 9 bands from the thriving post-punk scene in Scunthorpe and the North of England. Operating on a shoestring budget, co-producers Chris Leaning and Paul Singleton (both of One Gang Logic), released “Household Shocks” on Stark Products, a label they founded in 1979. At almost 50 minutes of music, the album took four weeks to produce at the Studio Playground in Lincoln. It was supported heavily by the late Radio 1 DJ John Peel.

The KVB – Of Desire [INV150]

May 9, 2016June 16, 2025 hipodromealbum, invada records, kat day, minimal synth, new wave, nicholas wood, psychedelic, shoegaze, the kvbLeave a comment

Having begun life as a bedroom project for then Southampton-based Nicholas Wood to experiment with ideas around minimal electronica and shoegaze, The KVB has grown with partner and collaborator Kat Day. The now Berlin-based productive pair have released four albums of woozy and immersive anthems since 2010. ‘Of Desire’ is The KVB’s most fully formed record to date, taking in influences such as Death In Vegas, Scott Walker and Roxy Music to create something that is at once familiar and yet inventive and original. Steeped in musical history, it’s an album that hums with devotion and captures a band ready to emerge from the underground and embrace an ever-growing audience. “Being able to produce from home meant we weren’t restricted.” Wood says remembering The KVB’s early days. Many of the songs on ‘Of Desire’ date back to these earliest bedroom recordings, including lead single ‘In Deep’. “It’s about longing,” he adds of a song powered by a motorik beat and distorted blasts of icy guitars.” There’s definitely a romantic undercurrent to the record.”

Crystal Soda Cream ‎– Work & Velocity [TWR028]

April 26, 2016April 26, 2016 hipodromealbum, crystal soda cream, new wave, philipp forthuber, post punk, sebastian ploier, theresa adamski, totally wired recordsLeave a comment

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On their by now 4th release Crystal Soda Cream yet again prove to know how to pull out all the stops: shimmering cold & toxic, passionate & sharp tongued, claustrophobic & elegantly wasted with usual aplomb. By revealing “Work & Velocity” this Vienna threesome – Theresa Adamski (dr, keys, voc), Philipp Forthuber (voc, guit) and Sebastian Ploier (bass) – bears a distinct breed of post punk, that is not just a zealous reflection of the cold, old days in a cloudy mirror, much rather CSC manage to forge a bridge between a thoroughly thought through reminiscence of stylistic device and the framing of a paramountly contemporary statement.

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Sad Lovers & Giants – Lost In A Sea Full Of Sighs LP [DE115]

March 24, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, cliff silver, dark entries records, david wood, garce allard, new wave, nigel pollard, post punk, sad lovers & giants, tristan garelLeave a comment

Sad Lovers & Giants are a post-punk band from Watford, England who formed in 1980. The original lineup included vocalist Garçe (Simon) Allard, guitarist Tristan Garel-Funk, bassist Cliff Silver, drummer Nigel Pollard, and keyboardist/saxophonist David Wood. In 1981, they released the 3-song 7” EP “Clé” and the ”Colourless Dream” single. The “Lost In A Moment” 7” single followed in 1982. They released two studio albums, “Epic Garden Music” and “Feeding the Flame”, before disbanding in 1983. The band reformed in 1987. “Lost In A Sea Full Of Sighs” is a collection of 9 songs recorded between 1981 and 1982. Seven songs from their first three 7” singles plus one demo and one song recorded for a John Peel Session in 1981 are compiled here. The music is moody and cerebral, awash with synthesizer swirls and sax interjections.

Crystal Soda Cream – Rationale Arbeitsschritte [KIM015]

January 28, 2016January 27, 2016 hipodromecrystal soda cream, dark wave, new wave, philipp forthuber, post punk, sebastian ploier, theresa adamskiLeave a comment

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Crystal Soda Cream will release their second studio-album Work and Velocity in April 2016 via Totally Wired Records. Rationale Arbeitsschritte is the album’s first single released as a 7“ on KIM Records.

Move – Move [MNQ074]

November 13, 2015July 17, 2019 hipodromealbum, cold wave, mannequin records, move, new wave, post punkLeave a comment

Long sought after by collectors and originally released in 1986 by a small independent label, the sound of this stellar full length is driven by sharp post-punk guitars, tribal rhythms and ghostly synthesizers, following the UK cold wave and post-punk tradition. A forgotten classic, strongly recommended for fans of Joy Division, New Order, Section 25, Killing Joke, Bauhaus, Gang Of Four.

Effetto Joule – Roberspierre [MNQ068]

October 19, 2015July 17, 2019 hipodromeeffetto joule, flavio biagi, flemming dalum, italo-disco, mannequin records, new wave, synth pop, top sound records, valerio biagi, valerio tassinariLeave a comment

Mannequin Records presents the rare dark italo 12” ‘Robespierre’ by the italo wave trio Effetto Joule. Originally released in 1989 on Top Sound Records, the reissue comes with extra demo tape material from their ‘Ultraviolet’ tapes and with a killer Flemming Dalum remix of the title track. Effetto Joule formed in Modena during the second part of the 80’s. The pulsating heart of the band were the brothers Flavio and Valerio Biagi with the collaboration of Valerio Tassinari. Deeply influenced by the British synth pop heroes like Tubeway Army and Depeche Mode, the Biagi brothers were able to merge that kind of epic sounds with the more romantic Italian vision of the electronic dark wave.

Second Layer – World Of Rubber [DE096LP]

August 8, 2015July 17, 2024 hipodromeadrian borland, album, dark entries records, graham bailey, industrial, new wave, post punk, second layer, synth popLeave a comment

Second Layer was a side project of Adrian Borland and Graham Bailey, members of post punk band The Sound. The music was bleak, detached, and desolate, but very beautiful. Honest songwriting and a harsh sonic backdrop set them apart from their peers. Second Layer’s World of Rubber, first released on Cherry Red way back in 1981 – some two years after the duo’s first outing on 7” – has long been considered something of an industrial classic by those in the know. Here, it gets a deserved re-press from the folks at Dark Entries. 34 years on, it still retains the power to shock, with Adrian Borland and Graham Green’s raw, weighty mix of post-punk basslines, sharp guitars, fuzzy electronics, tape loops and basic drum machine grooves still sounding deliciously fresh. Certainly, it’s comparable to many more celebrated releases of the time, and arguably more spontaneous in feel.

Teknospray ‎– God In Land [DERKLANG001]

July 21, 2015August 18, 2015 hipodromealberto ramella, album, andrea lesmo, andreea costa, der klang records, disordine records, lucio lesmo, mauro tavella, new wave, synth pop, teknosprayLeave a comment

Active on late 70s / early 80s Teknospray were formed by Andrea Costa, Mauro Tavella (who later formed Monuments), Andrea Lesmo, Alberto Ramella (who later formed Carmody) and Lucio Lesmo. They recorded few demos and an album which they never released until today”God In Land”is now reissued on Disordine’s sub label Der Klang for the 1st time. The ten tracks mix influences of Devo with dark synth electro and they sound still fresh and amazing.

The Pagan Rites – Every Mauser & Browning [RAT004]

May 21, 2015January 12, 2022 hipodromedj city, electro, johan norling, karl lihagen, new wave, rat life records, synth pop, the pagan rites, uncanny valleyLeave a comment

PAGAN RITES, The - Every Mauser & Browning

Rat Life returns with The Pagan Rites on Catalog Number 4. Little is known about the band from Sweden, first Signals were received in 2010 when they submitted their track 03 to the IFM Demo Contest. In October last year Rat Life sent out a submarine to search the Swedish coast line for the small Hut where the duo records their songs (Apologies to the Swedish authorities at this point, who confused our research with a Russian military threat). All four tracks are packed with bittersweet melancholia, reflecting the neverending darkness of cold Scandinavian winter, still the midnight sun is always in sight on the horizon.

Nite Fields – Depersonalisation [FLT020LP]

February 2, 2015March 23, 2020 hipodromealbum, chris campion, danny venzin, dark wave, felte records, liza harvey, lost race records, michael whitney, new wave, nite fields, post punk, shoegazeLeave a comment

Nite Fields will release their debut album ‘Depersonalisation’ on vinyl, CD and digital through Los Angles label Felte, and in Australia on cassette and digital through Lost Race.

‘Depersonalisation’ was conceived and completed over a four-year period in all three distinct capitals. Recordings were completed almost entirely by the band members in over twenty locations including garages, bedrooms, borrowed studios, stairwells and a restaurant dining room after hours. Lead singer and songwriter Danny Venzin is opinionated, passionate, and uncompromising, whether releasing works on his own label Lost Race or maintaining his diligent focus on a unified (though not narrow-minded) Nite Fields aesthetic, regardless of what music is currently in fashion. His band mates Chris Campion, Liza Harvey and Michael Whitney consist of deeply immersed players in a tight-nit local D.I.Y. scene.

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Neon – Tapes Of Darkness [DISORDINE003]

February 2, 2015May 9, 2023 hipodromedark wave, disordine records, neon, new wave, post punkLeave a comment

Neon is not a common name for italian post punk lovers. Born in Florence, the cradle of peninsula’s wave, they were probably the first important post punk gothic band in our country and they are still nowadays one of the most active band in 80’s Italian new wave time, still marking Italian rock history. In 1980, the band got off to an electronic start with the single Information of death, and later, through several line up changes, it achieves to synthetize a mix of obsessive electro sounds, obscure athmospheres and quite original pop melodies which take shapes in later works like Tapes of darkness (1981), Obsession (1982), My blues is you (1983), Dark age (1984); in 1985 Rituals sanctioned Neon as the best Italian new wave band of that year.

Casino Shanghai – L’action Minimal [MNQ056]

December 12, 2014July 17, 2019 hipodromecarlos robledo, casino shanghai, disco, electro, in aeternam vale, mannequin records, new wave, walter schmidtLeave a comment

Mannequin Records present a 12 EP with two unreleased 1986 tracks of the mexican New Wave band Casino Shanghai, with a killer analog modular remix by In Aeternam Vale on the B Side. Casino Shanghai were the pulse of Mexico City underground scene of the 80s. Former members of the post punk band Size and the more experimental Decibel, Carlos Robledo and Walter Schmidt met the leader singer of Denseundergrowth Ulalume to record their first album ”Film” for the Comrock/ WEA label that was released in December of 1985. The history of Casino Shanghai is double locked with the great cultural change in Mexico and the connected music scene.