Severed Heads – Big Saints Reward (1988-1990 Dubs) [OT015]

June 3, 2015November 14, 2022 hipodromeedits, house, jd twitch, optimo music, optimo trax, severed heads, synth pop, tom ellardLeave a comment

Optimo Trax 015 sees label boss JD Twitch indulge his love of cult Australian DIY act Severed Heads with a trio of dub version culled from the B-sides of their 1980s 12″ output. Titled quite artfully Big Saints Reward (1987 – 90 dubs), perennial Twitch favourite “Greater Reward” features prominently with the Dub version accompanied by an all new “Piano Power Edit” from the Optimo man which takes full advantage of the glorious keys that characterise the track. Complementing these, the B-side houses “Big Car (Crash dub)” and “All Saints Day (Saints Dub Day)” which add further credence to the notion Severed Heads are one of the most important acts in the formation of club music as we know it today.

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.

Thomas Leer – Private Plane EP [DE088]

May 7, 2015April 1, 2019 hipodromedark entries records, minimal synth, re-release, reissue, synth pop, thomas leerLeave a comment

Thomas Leer is an innovative electronic musician who was born in Port Glasgow, Scotland. In 1978, Thomas released his first single, “Private Plane”/“International”, on his own Oblique Records. Both songs were recorded in his small Finsbury Park flat over three days, using a TEAC A3440 4-track recorder and an ALICE mixing board. The only effects used were a Watkins Copicat tape echo unit, Electo Harmonix DrQ filter, an old Roland drum machine, and a Stylophone. So as to not wake his sleeping girlfriend, Leer’s vocals were nearly whispered, which lends them a textural, psychedelic quality. NME named “Private Plane” Single of the Week, and the hand-stamped first edition of 650 promptly sold out. For this expanded reissue, we’ve added 2 bonus tracks. “Kings of Sham”, from the 1981 Cherry Red Records sampler “Business As Usual”, is perfect motorik trance, echoing Conny Plank’s 1970′s productions. “Saving Grace” is the extended instrumental version of Leer’s second single “All About You” from 1982, a slow-burning cosmic work-out chock-full of anthemic synth riffs.

VA – Electroconvulsive Therapy Volume 3 – Obscure Singles Circa 83-86 [MR049]

April 27, 2015February 18, 2019 hipodromealmost alone, black fantasy, compilation, crispy nuggets, leidenschaft, medical records llc, secession, synth pop, tipical me, v.u.d.Leave a comment

Medical Records continues it’s unearthing of extremely rare singles in it’s Electroconvulsive Therapy series. Once again, teaming up with Crispy Nuggets blog, we have assembled yet another collection of long out of print and underground singles and rare tracks. The first 2 tracks are by Belgium’s Tipical Me from the Claustrofobian b/w Pope No Hope 7″. These 2 tracks are perfect synth pop in every way. The second artist is UK’s Secession, and we have included their debut 7″ released in 1983. Though known for their later more electronic based pop and dance tracks, these two tracks display their earlier dark beginnings with chilling guitars and a more early 4AD aesthetic. Both tracks from the 7″ are included. The third artist is France’s Leidenschaft who released one lone 3-song cassette in 1986 with 2 of the tracks featured here. Leidenschaft could loosely be compared to early Clan of Xymox with French cold wave leanings. The 2 cuts are very atmospheric and lovely indeed. Back to the UK, we included the wonderfully minimal A + B sides of the rare 1984 7″ by Black Fantasy. Original copies of this single have been selling for insanely high prices these days. 2 more tracks were also included on this compilation which complete the theme nicely. V.U.D. was an Italian outfit who recorded a track entitled “Look!” which was included on the “First Relation” v/a compilation LP released in 1983 on Mask Productions and curated by Lisfrank. Quirky and undeniably catchy, we absolutely adore this track as will everybody who hears it. The last track included on this LP is the A side of the rare 1984 7″ by UK’s Almost Alone entitled “Blue City”. Dense and atmospheric synth pop with definite New Romantic tendencies, this track is a perfect closing track for this diverse collection. This collection will certainly appeal to fans of rare minimal synth, early synth pop, or EBM.

Simona Buja – Passing Masks / Still Close [DISORDINE02.5]

April 27, 2015March 24, 2023 hipodromedisordine records, italian records, kirlian camera, minimal synth, simona buja, synth popLeave a comment

Actually a Kirian Camera record released under the name of Simona Buja because the band was still contracted with Italian Records.

The Soft Moon – Deeper [CT218LP]

March 29, 2015February 14, 2019 hipodromealbum, captured tracks, industrial, luis vasquez, post punk, synth pop, the soft moonLeave a comment

Captured Tracks present ‘Deeper’, the third full-length studio recording from American post-punk band The Soft Moon.

Alessandro Parisi – Phormix Podcast #9

March 25, 2015March 25, 2015 hipodromealessandro parisi, ambient, phormix, podcast, synth pop, synth waveLeave a comment

Moral – And Life Is… LP [DE087]

March 20, 2015October 31, 2017 hipodromealbum, dark entries records, hanne winterberg, ingolf brown, marco andreis, moral, re-release, reissue, synth pop, synth waveLeave a comment

Moral was the trio of Marco Andreis (Guitars, Bass), Hanne Winterberg (Vocals) and Ingolf Brown (Synthesizers, Rhythm Box, Sequencer) from Aarhus, Denmark formed in 1981. They released their debut mini-album ”Dance of the Dolls” on cassette in 1981 and the album ”Whispering Sons” on cassette in 1982. During the summer of 1983, Moral recorded and produced their debut LP, ‘And Life Is’ at Ingolf Browns home studio. It was the first release on Ingolfs label ARP Gramophone in August 1984. Influenced by early 4AD Records, Joy Division, Brian Eno and Wire, the band crafted their own brand of Nordic melancholic Post Punk. The album develops the bands signature sound of airy, glacial synthesizers with crepuscular guitar and serpentine melodies. The main synthesizers used are the primitive Roland TR-606 Drumatix, the percussion side-kick to the TB-303, plus the BOSS DR-55 Dr. Rhythm drum machine. Hannes hauntingly beautiful vocals walk the line between germanic chill of Nico and Alison Statton of Young Marble Giants. Lyrical themes of cold nights and blossoming relationships paint a detailed picture of youthful life in Scandinavia. This deluxe edition contains three bonus tracks that originally appeared on the ‘Somewhere Outside’ compilation.

Post Industrial Noise – The Official Anthology [MR045LP]

February 18, 2015February 18, 2019 hipodromealbum, cold wave, dana riashi ritchey, gerald f. nelson, medical records llc, minimal synth, post industrial noise, re-release, reissue, robert crise jr., synth popLeave a comment

Medical Records in collaboration with Crispy Nuggets is proud to present a collection of tracks by Post Industrial Noise. PIN was an “audio artsemble” conceived in 1982 in Columbus, Ohio by the trio Robert Crise Jr, Gerald F. Nelson, and Dana Riashi Ritchey. The output of PIN could be described a more experimental/minimalist offshoot of new wave with pleasant synth sequences blanketed in rich synth tones. The opening track “Sketch” has a definite cold wave vibe with slightly echoed vocals over a subtle drum machine beat and monotonous synth lines. “Prelude” is a deep instrumental cut with synth and sample interplay resulting in a hypnotic slab of brilliance. The tracks on this collection have been restored from the original analog tape reel for this reissue.

Kirlian Camera – Blue Room [DISORDINE001]

January 28, 2015March 24, 2023 hipodromeangelo bergamini, disordine records, fabrizio chiari, giorgio vecchi, kirlian camera, minimal synth, simona buja, synth popLeave a comment

Kirlian Camera are one of the pioneers of the Italian electronic scene. Active since 1979 under the name Suicide Commando, the band changed name in 1980 releasing the first demo-tape Dawn and the self-titled mini-album in late 1981. The early records contain a mix of synth pop and new wave/dance songs, while towards the end of the 1980s’ Kirlian Camera’s music became darker, turning into electro-gothic sound. Nearly every release since then has explored different fields, from industrial to ambient and trip-hop.

Le Cliché – Consumer Behaviour [MR042]

January 7, 2015February 13, 2019 hipodromealbum, electro, gerard ryan, le cliche, medical records llc, minimal synth, synth pop, synth waveLeave 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.

Mixed Feelings – Remnants [MR041]

January 7, 2015February 18, 2019 hipodromealbum, crispy nuggets, depeche mode, martin gore, medical records llc, minimal synth, mixed feelings, sean cooper, synth pop, synth waveLeave 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”.

Bal Pare – Early Recordings [MR040]

January 7, 2015February 18, 2019 hipodromealbum, bal pare, jan t. krahn, jurgen weiss, kirsten klemm, manfred asmus, matthias schuster, medical records llc, minimal synth, synth pop, synth waveLeave 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”.

2+2=5 – Into The Future [MNQ058]

January 5, 2015July 17, 2019 hipodrome2+2=5, album, cha cha hagiwara, cold wave, giacomo spazio, mannequin records, minimal synth, nina la loggia, re-release, reissue, synth popLeave a comment

Anniversary Edition of this Italian Cold Wave masterpiece from 1984. On a cold autumn evening in Milan in 1981, Nino La Loggia met Giacomo Spazio for the first time. The two had the same passion for music: Kraftwerk, Joy Division, DAF and the whole new scene of proto-electronic wave headed by Cabaret Voltaire. Together they decided to start the musical project called 2 + 2 = 5, a tribute to Orwellian dystopia. Shortly after, Cha Cha Hagiwara joined the band. Already a keyboard player in Jeunesse d’Ivoire, she enriched the band’s raw sound with sonority and resonance which we can now define as analog. In 1983 the trio entered the studio to record their first LP titled ‘Into The Future’, now reissued by Mannequin Records for the 30th Anniversary.

Void Vision – Sub Rosa [MNQ054]

November 28, 2014July 17, 2019 hipodromealbum, dark wave, electro, mannequin records, shari vari, shari wallin, synth pop, void visionLeave a comment

Void Vision is a Philadelphia-based electronic project helmed by Shari Wallin. It began around 2009 at a time when a wave of synth-revivalists were materializing, but the quality of the songwriting and intense vocals set the band apart from the pack. In a rare instance, Void Vision has managed to combine vintage dance elements with melodic structures, haunting melancholy, and lyrics that have a palpable soul. The songs themselves are dynamic, referencing a cross-section of the last 30 years of electronic music, while simultaneously retaining a uniqueness all their own.

Patrick Cowley & Jorge Socarras – Catholic [DE080]

November 10, 2014August 9, 2021 hipodromealbum, dark entries records, disco, honey soundsystem, jorge socarras, macro recordings, patrick cowley, post punk, re-release, reissue, synth popLeave a comment

COWLEY, Patrick/JORGE SOCARRAS - Catholic (remastered)

Dark Entries and Honey Soundsystem have teamed up to release “Catholic”, the lost opus of disco pioneer Patrick Cowley and Indoor Life vocalist Jorge Socarras. Perhaps one of the most revolutionary and influential people in the canon of disco music, Cowley created his own brand of Hi-NRG dance music, “The San Francisco Sound”. “Catholic” is a genre-bending concept album that ranges from minimalistic proto-techno to synth-driven post-punk. It shows a much broader range than any Cowley or Socarras material available and gives a totally new perspective to one of the most inspiring eras in music history. Patrick forges a unique electronic sound from his collection of synthesizers, modified guitars, and self-constructed equipment while Jorge’s vocals go from hypnotic to camp, singing about gay love juju and tackling classics by Donovan and Stoller & Leiber.

Hysteric – Halloween A Parigi 2014

October 30, 2014October 29, 2014 hipodromebordello a parigi, disco, halloween, hysteric, italo-disco, synth popLeave a comment

VA – Bay Area Retrogade Vol.1 & 2 [DE075]

October 30, 2014November 5, 2021 hipodromecd, compilation, dark entries records, factrix, human being men, los microwaves, new wave, nominal state, post punk, quiet room, synth pop, the units, timmy spence, tuxedomoonLeave a comment

VARIOUS - BART: Bay Area Retrograde Vol 1 & 2

Dark Entries have combined Bay Area Retrograde (BART) Volume 1 and 2 on a single CD. BART is Dark Entries compilation of underground music from San Francisco (and the greater Bay Area) made between 1978-1988. Towards the end of the 70s, San Francisco’s experimental music scene clashed with the aftermath of punk and gave birth to a vibrant underground. By the early to mid 80s the DIY music scene of the Bay Area was a hotbed for experimental and quirky new wave, post punk, and synthpop, quite similar to New York’s No Wave scene and Berlin’s Neue Deutsche Welle. This compilation connects the (transit) lines between these varied musical offerings and tells the secret story of eleven forgotten Bay Area bands. BART Volume 1 features a Korg-heavy assault from Danvilles utterly obscure Nominal State; two little-known left-field electronic dance gems from Batang Frisco and Quiet Room; Berkeleys answer to darkwave, Necropolis of Love; a synth-driven drama fest from drag performance troupe Wasp Women; quirky lo-fi gothic pop from one man band Distant Thunder; a gay Hi-NRG anthem delivered by Danny Boy and the Serious Party Gods; two lesser know gems from SF synth legends Voice Farm and Los Microwaves; and the futuristic pulsing synth-punk of Standard of Living and the Units. BART Volume 2 features slow, dystopian horror from pioneering industrial group Factrix; crushing, motorik noise from acid punks Chrome; amphetamine-driven synth punk from Red Asphalt; an early demo, never released on vinyl, from legendary post punk band Tuxedoomon; chilling atmospheric drone from Ki Di Me; leftfield new wave from Indoor Life featuring Patrick Cowley on synths; Los Microwaves more sinister side project Baby Buddha; gay drag icon Timmy Spence delivering an unknown camp classic, a pure instrumental electro-pop workout from Human Being Men; TR-808 fueled synth pop from Menlo Park duo Wonders of Science, and a poetic yet somber and haunting song from the mysterious Zru Vogue.

East Wall – Silence [ED001]

October 29, 2014October 29, 2014 hipodromeangelo bergamini, charlie mallozzi, east wall, elettrica dischi, fabrizio chiari, italo-disco, re-release, reissue, synth pop, wilma notariLeave a comment

The ultra rare LP “Silence” by East Wall sees Fabrizio Chiari and Wilma Notari traverse through a variety of styles with a number of standout tracks.