Instant Hit- 2 Belgen- Lena

"Lena" was a hit for the Belgian group 2 Belgen in 1985. Before the song got its high energy arrangement, it was released as B-side single in 1982. Their 1985 version which was written and produced by Rembert De Smet became a club hit around Europe, bypassing the '82 original version.

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Bron Area

Bron Area was a British duo formed in 1979 in Nuneaton in England. Originally the group consisted of Martin Packwood and Steven Parker who had been involved in a number of bands before starting Bron Area. Steven had been playing piano for 4 years and sang in a punk band Addix through ’77. Martin had played 'My Way' to drunks in social clubs on the organ for some time. They recorded their debut cassette album for Ambivalent Scale Recordings in 1980 with the title 'One Year'. The album featured experimental sound mixing raw electronic collages with post punk sound.

The band's first official Single EP 'Fragile Sentences' was released in 1981 with the wonderful "Green Avenue" as a b-side. David Barker of 'Glass Records' approached the band after having heard 2 songs from the Alternative Sounds fanzines compilation tape Facet 1 and asked them to appear on his 'Wonderful World of Glass Vol. 1 LP'. Bron Area were signed to 'Glass' at the beginning of 1982. The first vinyl was a 12” Ep entitled "Different Phrases" released in March ’82 and later released as a 7” on 'Posh Boy Records' in the USA. With the release of their second record few more musicians were recruited which changed their music and gave the their following LP 'The Trees and the Villages' which appeared in 1982 a fresh new sound.

The founding members of Bron Area Martin Packwood and Steven Parker both released new material after the split of  Bron Area. Steven Parker recorded another cassette album with Kevin Harrison in the same year, while Martin Packwood was credited for playing bass on Martyn Ware's solo LP released in 1987.
Bron Area's recording material has never been reissued on CD.

Source: http://www.eyelessingaza.com/bron.html

80's Duets: Bananarama & Fun Boy Three- "Really Saying Something"

During the 1982, early Bananarama and Fun Boy Three recorded two duets. The three women provided credited chorus vocals on the hit "T'ain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)" and the Fun Boy Three later sang on the Bananarama song "Really Saying Something". Both songs were released as singles during the same year and also appeared on both bands' albums.

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Instant Hit: The Naughtiest Girl was a Monitor- Front

Thirty years ago the Sheffield minimal synth pop group The Naughtiest Girl was a Monitor released their first EP on the Imaginating Music label. They released one more single before disbanding in 1982. Back then, there were rumours about an official album release which never happened. In 2007 the band released a self titled LP compilation with all the singles, b-sides and six previously unreleased tracks.

Retrovision: Blancmange- God's Kitchen

"God's Kitchen" performed by Blancmange on the Tube show in December 1982. The song was released in the same year as a double a-side single with the songs "I've Seen the Word"

Instant Hit: Mick Karn- Sensitive

"Sensitive" is the first ever single release by Mick Karn who sadly passed away earlier this month. He will certainly be remembered as a great multi-instrumentalist, musician and songwriter. Rare Noise Records has arranged a very special tribute to Mick Karn called 'A Show of Love, Respect and Grace'. More info here.

Duran Duran- The Chauffeur

This video for The Chauffeur is the only one on the album in which the band do not appear at all. It was filmed around Notting Hill during the autumn of 1982, while the band was away on tour.A moody, elegant black-and-white piece inspired by the fetishistic imagery of Helmut Newton which features two mysterious, hauntingly beautiful women who are seen ritualistically dressing themselves in elaborate lingerie before traveling separately through the dark streets and tunnels of London to meet in a vacant underground car park for an exotic lesbian encounter.

Peter Godwin- Images of Heaven

In 1982 Peter Godwin released his biggest hit "Images of Heaven" which was promoted with two different video versions of a video. The provocative version of the video showed nude women poses kissing and touching each other. Enjoy the polaroids, the silhouettes and images of heaven.

Instant Hit: Blancmange- The Day Before You Came

"The Day Before You Came" is indeed a notable song by ABBA, released in 1982. While it didn't achieve the same level of commercial success as some of their previous hits, it has gained recognition over time for its haunting melody and introspective lyrics. 

Blancmange's cover of the song in 1984 brought a fresh interpretation to the track. With their own style and sound, Blancmange's version added a new dimension to the song. Over the years, Blancmange's cover has gained its own following, with many people appreciating it as much as, if not more than, the original. It's a testament to the enduring quality of the song that different artists can interpret it in their own way while still capturing its essence.

Instant Hit: Blue Peter- Up To You

Blue Peter released their second EP Up to You in 1982. This release included some of their first singles, "Chinese Graffiti" and "Around You". For this feature we would like to present the dance funky EP title  track. 

Instant Hit: Leningrad Sandwich- Deadline

"Deadline" was the second track on Leningrad Sandwich's second album, Heat, released in 1982. While no singles were taken from this album, "Deadline" encapsulates the post-punk beat that characterized the overall sound of the album.

Instant Hit: Dead Or Alive- The Stranger

"The Stranger" marked Dead or Alive's third single release and their debut for Black Eyes Records in 1982. Unlike the sound that later brought the band worldwide success, this track diverged into tribal post-punk territory, characterized by dark tones and gloomy vibes. The B-side of the single was "Some of That."

Instant Hit: Solid Space- A Darkness In My Soul

Solid Space was a brief yet influential British act that released a seminal album in the early 1980s. Their music can be described as catchy, well-composed, intergalactic DIY bedroom pop. One of their standout tracks is "A Darkness in my Soul." Despite their short-lived tenure, their album has left a lasting impact and was reissued thirty years after its original release, marking its first appearance on CD. In 2010, the song was covered by Led Er Est, further showcasing its enduring appeal. Fans can find support for this artist on their Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/Solid-Space-197439746955540/

Instant Hit: The Nits- Slip Of The Tongue

Probably best remembered for their single "In The Dutch Mountains", Nits have released over 50 singles during their long lasting career. "Slip of the Tongue" was one of the songs from their early opus, released in 1983. It was taken from Nits' third studio album Work, released in 1981 in the Netherlands for CBS where the Nits originally came from. 

Instant Hit: Stockholm Monsters- Fairy Tales

"Fairy Tales" was the first single released by the Manchester group Stockholm Monsters. The single was produced by Martin Hannett for the Factory records and it was released in 1982. The record appeared as a 7" single with purple and green sleeve.

Instant Hit: Ian North- Sex, Lust, You

"Sex Lust You" was the b-side song from Ian North's EP Rape of Orchids which was released in 1982. It was written and produced by Ian and released on Neo Records. In 2006 Ian's album My Girlfriend's Death as well as the Rape of Orchids were reissued through the repressed label.

Instant Hit: Soft Cell- Torch

"Torch" is one of my favorite Soft Cell songs that was released back in 1982. The backing vocals were provided by the female singer Cindy Ecstasy who also provided vocals on the extended version of this song which appeared on Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing. Produced by Mike Thorne, "Torch" was originally issued on the Some Bizzare label in the UK.