To cut a long story short this reminds me of something…

Dave from Planet Mondo declared last Fridays offering “the most eighties sounding record I’ve ever heard.” This is another candidate from 1981. It occupies the same musical territory as the first two Spandau Ballet singles.

That’s considered a good thing around these parts.

To Kalon - Coming To Get You (Dance Mix) (4:49) (1981)
To Kalon - Coming To Get You (3:41) (1981)

I recommend the short version for a quick fix. The longer version is a classic early 80s extended mix with echo-y drums and vocals.

Pretend a stranger is my friend

This is a record I got from ebay for 99p a few weeks ago. It was advertised as rare English synthpop and I had never heard of it so I thought I would give it a go. It’s from 1985 so when she sings ‘Pretend a stranger is my friend’ she’s not referring to Facebook, Twitter, blogs etc. but that’s what the title makes me think of. That and the love-in that’s developed under my Jeanette post.

Talking Drums - Pretend A Stranger (1985)

Jeanette

I promised you all something special and here it is. These lovely minimalist songs are by Jeanette, real name Jeanette Dwyer (possibly related to Gary Dwyer of Teardrop Explodes) also known simply as Jean on This Mortal Coil’s Filigree & Shadow album.

According to Discogs she recorded three singles and two albums between 1983 and 1988. This is the only one I’ve got but I love both sides so much I really must rectify that. Expect some more tunes when I do.

Side one features just vocals, synthesiser and percussion, side two just multilayered vocals and percussion. It’s close but I think I like the b-side best.

Jeanette - In The Morning (1983)
Jeanette - Sun Arises (1983)

There probably won’t be a tune next Friday because I’ll be in Scotland by then. There’s a record shop called Groucho’s always visit when I’m up there so I hope to come back with something interesting.

Raiding the proggy archive

It’s been a while since I pissed people off by indulging in my penchant for progressive rock (of the symphonic kind). All you conscientious objectors will have to be patient and you will be duly rewarded with something special on Friday.

The concept of this record is brilliant; a medley of The Dambusters March and Land of Hope & Glory on a blue vinyl record that resembles the RAF symbol. The actual execution of the medley doesn’t totally work for me but there are lots of things to enjoy: The proggy guitar overture at the start, the Dambusters March, the playful segue with its snippet of The Sailors Hornpipe and the final few chords are all great but the Land of Hope & Glory part is like a sample from Last Night of the Proms and all that flag waving shit, which is the point of course but I just hate that song.

I’ve actually always prefered the b-side which is a lovely version of The Skyeboat Song.

The Enid - Dambusters March/Land Of Hope & Glory (1979)

The Enid - The Skyeboat Song (1979)

Mind Made

It’s been a while since I featured a more guitar based new wave record. This one’s from 1980 and has an XTC-ish quality without quite having their verve and panache. That’s not to say it’s a bad record. This single may require a couple of listens but trust me it’s a grower. My advice is to play it loud.

Google doesn’t throw much light on Thieves Like Us except the drummer on this record is John Parish who went on to play on several P J Harvey records.

Thieves Like Us - Mind Made (1980)

Another request (sort of)

This is for Paul who left a comment on my Bethnal post to the effect that a Friday disco workout would be welcome. I haven’t had one of those for a while but for reasons that will become apparent this one had to wait for a Saturday.

This is one of the five disco 12 inchers I got from a charity shop back in February. It’s my 2nd favourite but it’s also the one in least good condition. This was obvious at the time but with Norma Jean Wright from Chic singing and Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards producing there’s no way I was leaving it there.

Norma Jean - Saturday (Remix) (1978)

According to the label it’s 129 B.P.M. for those who care about such things.

Request (again)

I posted this last night but Blogger went offline for maintenance purposes and it disappeared. Fortunately I had a back-up.

I may not be the fastest blogger in the west but I get there in the end. These two are for Kaggsy who requested them way back in April when I posted another song from the same LP.

There’s not a lot of information on the web about Eddie Maelov & Sunshine Patterson. They were previously in Gloria Mundi and…that’s about it. Couldn’t find a decent picture either.

As with a lot of their contemporaries there seems to be a Velvet Underground influence at work on these songs.

Eddie Maelov & Sunshine - Patterson Man For Sale (1981)
Eddie Maelov & Sunshine - Patterson Echo (1981)

Both from Fools Rush In Where Angels Dare To Tread recorded live at Cabaret Futura in spring 1981.

At least before it vanished Kaggsy downloaded the songs and sent thanks.