Leæther Strip – Teenage Demos LP [DE050]
synth pop
Inhalt – Occupations EP [DE051]
Dark Entries is proud to release the sophomore EP “Occupations” from San Francisco based synth trio INHALT. Consisting of European and East Coast natives– Matia Simovich, Bryan Gibbs, and Philip Winiger– INHALT’s core operative strategy is of sonic fidelity and integrity rather than nostalgia. The record was produced over a year and a half, and mixed in both Austria and California, employing the best of modern and vintage techniques and technology. The sound is INHALT’s interpretation of the border between the voice driven song form and the expansive, extended 12″ arrangement. It is informed equally by the soundtracks of John Carpenter, as much as the vastness and sheen of Trevor Horn.
Monuments – Age [MNQ040]
Mannequin are pleased to present a crown jewel from the early 80s Italian Minimal Synth scene. The Monuments came into being in January 1981 in Turin when Mauro Tavella (keyboards, programming) and Andrea Costa (keyboards, voice) pooled their artistic experiences. From the outset they produced exclusively synthesised music, following the natural evolution in electronic music from the early days with monophonic synthesisers to the latest virtual sounds generated with the aid of computers.
VA – Trevor Jackson presents Metal Dance 2 [STRUT107LP]
Strut present ‘Metal Dance’, a new compilation from one of the UK’s most respected DJ / producers, the man behind Playgroup and original founder of the legendary label Output Recordings, Trevor Jackson. Echoing elements of his renowned DJ Kicks mix from 2003, Jackson draws here on specials that have peppered his DJ sets for almost two decades. ‘Metal Dance’ mines deep and hones in on the more underground and danceable side of industrial, post-punk and EBM (Electronic Body Music), a phrase coined by Ralf Hütter of Kraftwerk but honed by later bands like DAF and Front 242 as socialist realist aesthetics were dragged onto the dancefloor during the mid-’80s. Jackson cherry-picks classics and rarities from this era, including a new edit of Nitzer Ebb favourite ‘Control I’m Here’ (sampled on Quartz’ rave classic ‘Meltdown’), the cold dance of Analysis’ ‘Surface Tension’, Neon’s dark ‘Voices’, re-interpreting a Master C&J riff from the early days of Chicago house, and hard-hitting dubs from Pete Shelley, Alien Sex Fiend and more. Herein lie sounds that have heavily influenced today’s crop of artists – from LCD Soundsystem and The Knife to Factory Floor and Hot Chip. Elsewhere on the album, Jackson brings in unexpected gems – a track from cult John Carpenter film ‘Escape From New York’ re-edited by Klein & MBO’s Mario Boncaldo, a lost album track by avant garde Spanish artist Diseno Corbusier and a UK promo-only mix of Yello’s ‘You Gotta Say Yes To Another Excess’.
Factory Floor – Factory Floor [DFA2392]
The band drop their highly anticipated album debut on NYC post-punk stalwart DFA. Tracks from both of their singles appear alongside a slew previously unheard synth-wave / EBM gems. A vivid snapshot of a progressive band, still in the ascendant, smashing through yet another ceiling.
Barbiturates – Shades 10″ [LRR007]
Lost Race Records presents Shades 10” the new album from Barbiturates, featuring 8 synth-pop & new wave tracks.
DJ soFa – Postwave & Krautpunk for Radio raasHHour Jerusalem
VA – Italia Synthetica 1981-1985 [SPITTLE034LP]
This LP + bonus CD features the entire track listing, plus 5 bonus tracks from the Italia New Wave LP. This album represents the musical mutation that occurred after the post-punk hangover gave way to more frigid emotional shores, in-line with the synth-wave moment that was sweeping Europe and the white cliffs of Albion. This scene flourished in Italy between 1981-1985, and the musicians that came out of it are still revered today (particularly in the US). Robotic rhythms and intuitions that, besides sharing common ground with the electronic movements that had come before, also knew how to fill up the dancefloor! Featuring four previously unreleased tracks by Der Blaue Reiter, along with tracks by Modo, Actor’s Studio and La Maison, as well as the still fresh sounding contributions by true pioneers of the genre Neon and Naif Orchestra.
Funeraria Vergara – Despues De Un Dia Antes [DOM007L]
Having featured on the Non Plus Ultra 1980-1989 Vol.2 released by Domestica earlier this year, the distinct self styled ‘Necro-Pop’ of Funeraria Vergara is covered in greater detail by the Barcelona label with this lovingly presented retrospective of their demos and unreleased works. Covering a two year period from the early eighties, the eight track Despues De Un Dia Antes LP presents the young Burriana based Funeraria Vergara collective as a devilishly fun group dealing high octane synth pop with occultist overtones. Their one true hit “El Difunto” managed to find its way onto a 1984 cassette compilation of Spanish Wave and Punk called N-340 and features here along with a bunch of unreleased demos and a card insert detailing Funeraria Vergara’s curious rise to coin the Necro Pop crown.
Nightmoves – Transdance GC1 [DOM005M]
The mythical Transedance from UK duo Night Moves is given a much needed official issue by Domestica Records and the Barcelona label have spared no expense. Despite the paucity of Night Moves discography, it’s clear the duo of Michael Guihen and John Davis have had an everlasting effect on the canon of synth music with their much admired debut. Transedance was originally released as a limited 12″ white label in 1981, finding favour on the dance floors of Europe and New York City yet never really gained the wider exposure it richly deserved.
Gerhard Heinz – Gerhard Heinz [369.012]
An album completely filled with unreleased music productions by Gerhard Heinz. Cosmic Disco, Minimal Synth, Electro,,, music from old porn and horror movies from the mid 70’s to early 80’s. What’s actually unbelievable is that while checking Gerhard Heinz’s audio archive a 12” Maxi Version of Hydrogen – Cheaters Theme which runs about 5 min. showed up. This is certainly one of the most wanted cosmic library tracks ever and will be also featured. The first 50 vinyl copies will include a CD safety copy with 6 more unreleased tracks (for example the disco tracks which is played at the pool party of ”Bloody Moon” aka ”Die Sge des Todes” by Jess Franko as 12” Maxi Single version which runs for more than 6 min).
VA – Circuit D’Actes Vol. 3 [LFL008]
The third installation of the Circuit D’Actes series from Belgian-French label La Forme Lente. In keeping with the spirit of its acclaimed predecessors, this new release offers a focus on modern acts (2 tracks each) as much as an overview of all things synth-based. From Position Parallèle (Geoffroy D of Dernière Volonté) and Kline Coma Xero’s dark romanticism to the self-described “No future pop” of Illustration Sonore (feat. members of Dolina, Âme de Boue, Jeunesse Fantôme and Froe Char) and Új Látásmód Fúzió /Post-Festum minimalistic soundscapes or Shiny Black Mater’s (former Le Syndicat Electronique) take on 19th century nursery rhyme, every track is striking evidence of the creative forces within the synth wave scene.
XEX – Change [DE043LP]
XEX were an all-synthesizer band from South River, New Jersey in the late 1970s. The band formed when a trio of high school misfits with funny names (Waw Pierogi, Thumbalina Gugielmo and Alex Zander) teamed up with some friends from Rutgers College. They released their debut album “group: xex” in 1980 which Dark Entries reissued in 2010. “xex:change” takes a leap from where the band left off at the end of 1980. David Anderson left the group making xex a quartet. Recorded during the summer of 1981 and produced with Ziggy Rodberg, xex further developed the aesthetic of the first album. The seven songs here are more complex and hypnotic than the synthpunk outbursts of “group:xex.” Their new synthesizers, a Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 and a Minimoog, evoke the high-tech utopia of Patrick Cowley and proto-techno of Afrika Bambaataa. Thumbalina’s vocals have a detached, icy quality. Lyrics revolve around xex’ melange of oeuvres – pop, kitsch and New Jersey mall culture – offering commentary on species-specific adaptations for copulation, technophilia/phobia and the Jersey shore. “xex:change”, a multiple entendre that refers to the evolution of the group since its first album, group interaction in the creative process, and underlying sexual ambiguity. The group did not have the funds to release the album and it sat in obscurity for over 30 years.
Los Microwaves – Life After Breakfast [DE044]
Los Microwaves was a San Francisco-based synth-punk trio who formed in 1979. The main line-up included Meg Brazill (vocals, bass, synthesizers), David Javelosa (vocals, synthesizers), and Todd “Rosa” Rosencrans (drums, bass). Their recorded output consisted of a handful of 45′s and their lone LP, “Life After Breakfast,” released on the legendary Posh Boy records in 1981. Creating sound and music from the fusion of techno-punk, new wave pop, and electronic music, Los Microwaves featured a quirky audio theater that was best experienced live and from the dance floor. Sporting a combination of earlier portable synthesizers, bass and processed percussion, the music continues to deliver a unique groove. “Life After Breakfast” contains 13 songs full of teen angst, jerky rhythms, melodic chants, and punky shouts. Meg’s vocals are cheeky and peppy, recalling the anti-pop sound of The B-52′s, Devo and early XTC.
Silent Servant @ Honey Soundsystem 21.04.2013
Three Of You – T.O.Y. [BAP009]
No introduction needed for the true new-wave/italo lovers, because what we have here are two of the most sought after holy grails: New Life and Grace. On top you’ll receive four extra unreleased Three Of You tracks retrieved from the Italian 80’s. Diamonds for tears on the beloved Bordello A Parigi label.
Extended power edit by Paul du Lac. Free to download on soundcloud, bellow!
Andre Szigethy – Andre Szigethy LP [333.001]
The official re-release of the most sought after and expansive German minimal synth, dark wave, electro album! Originally released in Germany, 1983 on Leo Music.
Mick Wills – Les Yeux Orange #008
This 3hours marathon mix from Mick is the recording of his set at The Bleep43 party played in february at the Waiting Room London.
Amin-Peck – Essential Trax [DDR003]
Like most 80s electronic bands, Amin-Peck walked a fine line between disco and minimal wave throughout the course of the early 1980s, oftentimes incorporating shameless pop melodies and avant-garde leanings. Amin-Peck were an Italian band lead by Giorgio Fioroni (aka George Fyron, arrangements, production, vocals) with Leonard Parker (arrangments, keyboards) and Max Marne (production). Incredible but true, Amin-Peck started as ‘hard rock’ guitar band in the 70’s…there are some tracks also on You Tube before they became one of the best examples of Italo disco. Well, finally an album that contains their best tracks for your ‘Italo party’ at home! If you like “Italo disco” or “minimal synth” this record it will be a ‘must’!
Belaboris – Once Upon A Time LP [DE041]
Belaboris was born in 1982 as the brainchild of Finnish producer Kimmo Miettinen. He would put together an all-girl band that looked great in photographs but were backed by professional musicians. The first line-up was Vilma Vainikainen on main vocals, Sisko Vainikainen and Rita on back-up plus Jake and Mari who did not sing at all. The backing band behind Belaboris was a local New Wave group called Tyhjät Patterit ( which translates to Empty Batteries). The main songwriter was Esa Ijäs (guitar, synthesizer) along with his bandmates Ari Ijäs (bass) and Martti Jalonen (drums). Belaboris’ debut 12″ single “Kuolleet Peilit” was released in November 1982. “Once Upon A Time” collects songs from all three EP releases and the “Olipa Kerran” mini-LP as well as two unreleased demos never before on vinyl. In Finland the synthetic Futurist/New Romantic pop was simply called “Futu”. Belaboris were in their own peculiar, undefinable no-woman’s-land, in between the Finnish Futu and Gothic scenes. Between 1982 and 1984 Belaboris crafted catchy, melodic synthpop with the occasional guitar. Their lyrics were stylistically “kitchen sink melodramas” with occasional Gothic elements inspired by movies. The name Belaboris, is a combination of the horror actors Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff.
The Hipodrome Of Music 