Retrovision: Felt - Primitive Painters

Felt released "Primitive Painters" in 1985, which became their signature tune. The track features Elisabeth Fraser of Cocteau Twins on backing vocals and was included on Felt's third studio album, Ignite the Seven Cannons.

 

Instant Hit: Katy Gray - Hold Me Tight

"Hold Me Tight" was released by Katy Gray  in 1985 and there is quite a veil of mystery to the singer's identity and rumours that claim that she was tragically killed by a disco ball in 1987. The lady on the cover artwork is believed to be Monica Stucci. Katy Gray never released another single and this certainly remains as an italo-disco tune of the highest calibre.

 

Retrovision: Scritti Politti - Absolute

"Absolute" was one of the lead tracks taken from Scritti Polittis's second album Cupid & Psyche '85, released in June 1985. This song and the video however were released a year before and the video for the song was directed by John Scarlett-Davies.

Retrovision: Stephen Duffy - Icing on a Cake

Duran Duran's original singer Stephen Duffy released his third single "Icing on the Cake" in May 1985. It is an example of typical sophistical pop of the 80's set in a very stylistic spot. The song was also featured on his debut The Ups and Downs released in the same year.

Instant Hit: Clockwork Orange- Sensation Boys

Clockwork Orange was a short-lived Norwegian synth-pop group that emerged in the 1980s, releasing only a single during their brief existence. Titled "Sensation Boys," it debuted on Temptation Records in 1985. Despite its likely underground status at the time and its dark tone, it had the potential to resonate with both underground and mainstream audiences. Today, it remains emblematic of its genre's standards. In 2015, the song was reissued as a single under the title "The Last Sensation," featuring a 1984 demo alongside a new remix version of the track.

Retrovision: Eurythmics- It's Alright

"It's Alright" was the final release for Eurythmics from the album 'Be Yourself Tonight' released in 1985. The song managed to chart in the UK during March 1986 so this is the 30th anniversary for the song release. Sadly the song did not have big impact on the US charts. The song's music video, directed by Willy Smax, was a combination of live shots with computer animation, an innovative look for a music video in the mid 1980s.

 

Retrovision: Propaganda- Duel

"Duel" was one of the most successful single released for the German band Propaganda which was released 30 years ago. The song was taken from their debut album 'A Secret Wish' which was released through ZTT. The song reached #21 which brought them their only appearance on TotP. The song was covered by Sophie Ellis Baxtor in 2007. 

Best of 1985 - Top 50 Singles List

The year 1985 was the year of big charity concerts and records. Following up on the release of "Do They Know It’s Christmas Time" from 1984, the big Live Aid concert was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. The event was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London, UK, and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, US. Also inspired by Band-Aid, USA for Africa band project released "We Are the World", a song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. 

Among the best-selling albums this year was Dire Straits’ album Brothers in Arms, which at the same time was the first ever album to be released on CD. Jennifer Rush had the best-selling single in the UK with "The Power of Love" while in the USA, Madonna and George Michael both solo and with Wham! ruled the charts. 

With 1985 New Wave completely faded, knocked out by guitar-driven rock most notably by the Jangle rock which in this period of time was popularized as College rock with R.E.M. and The Smiths paving the way. On the other hand, Electronic music was transforming into new rhythms with the emerging Chicago house and Detroit techno that would give hits in the years to come.

01. Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill 
02. The Smiths - How Soon is Now? 
03. Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls 

04. The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary 
05. Depeche Mode - Shake the Disease 
06. Killing Joke - Love Like Blood 
07. Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me) 
08. New Order - The Perfect Kiss 
09. The Cure - Close to Me 
10. Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It 
11. a-ha - The Sun Always Shine on TV

12. Grace Jones - Slave to the Rhythm
13. The Cure - In Between Days
14. Echo & The Bunnymen- Bring on the Dancing Horses
15. Jesus and The Mary Chain - Just Like Honey
16. Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule The World
17. Madonna - Into the Groove
18. Siouxsie and the Banshees - Cities in Dust
19. King - Love and Pride
20. David Bowie and Pat Metheny Group - This is not America

Retrovision: Kirlian Camera- Blue Room

"Blue Room" was released thirty years ago and it was the only single release for them in 1985. In the second half of the 80's decade the sound of Kirlian Camera became gradually darker, moving away from the synth pop sound that marked some of their early releases. Not sure who directed the video for the song, but it prefectly refelcts the really anxious, claustrophobic and emotionally exciting atmosphere of the song. Kirlian Camera is still pretty active in music and two year ago they released a brand new studio album with the new line up. 

Retroviosion: Thomas Leer- Heartbeat

 Thirt years ago Thomas Leer released his single "Heartbeat", which was also a last single for him as a solo artist. The song was taken from Leer's third album 'The Scale of Ten'. He later joined Claudia Brücken from Propaganda to record an album under The Act moniker. Thomas Leer is best know for his debut single "Private Plane" which was one of the first experimental DIY minimal-synth songs that was released by a solo artist and recorded in his home. After several years outside the music world, Leer returned in 2001 with a new album and since then he is musically active.

Retrovision: Marc Almond- Stories of Johnny -Live-

"Stories of Johnny" was one of the lead tracks on the album of the same name which was relesed in 1985. This prefomance on Wogan in 1985 gave a whole new dimension to the song with boy choir and wonderful backing vocals.

 

Best of 1985- The Album List

The year 1985 was the year of big charity concerts and records. Following up on the release of "Do They Know It’s Christmas Time" from 1984, the big Live Aid concert was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. The event was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London, UK, and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, US. Also inspired by Band Aid, USA for Africa band project released "We Are the World", a song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. 

Among the best selling albums this year was Dire Straits’ album Brothers in Arms which at the same time was the first ever album to be released on CD. Jennifer Rush had the best selling single in the UK with "The Power of Love" while in the USA, Madonna and George Michael both solo and with Wham! ruled the charts. 

With 1985 New Wave completely faded, knocked out by guitar-driven rock most notably by the Jangle rock which in this period of time was popularized as College rock with R.E.M. and The Smiths paving the way. On the other hand, Electronic music was transforming into new rhythms with the emerging Chicago house and Detroit techno that would give hits in the years to come.

Retrovision: Humpe & Humpe- Ya-Ma-Ha

The duo Humpe & Humpe already had a prominent music history in Germany before forming Humpe & Humpe in 1985. Humpe & Humpe were Annette and Inga Humpe who wrote and produced most of the songs released on two albums in two years time. This is a thirty years anniversary of their second single "Ya-ma-ha" which was a an imitation of Japanese song with some Asian-style and Lyrics composed of a variety of Japanese brand names.

It's like, It's 1985

Happy New Year everyone. We are back on the track and hope that 2015 will be another great year in music. We will continue with the Dimension Gondry and are looking forward to new artists, great videos and exciting interviews. As you are already know every year we celebrate a 30 years anniversary from a particular year in our favorite decade. This year we will go back to 1985. Stick around for the album list poll coming soon. Meanwhile, a par excellence art pop from 1985.

Dead Wax Records to Release Kinetic Ideals' This Face EP

Deadwax Records have announced the release of Kinetic Ideals "This Face" 12" EP. Recorded after almost 30 years, the EP will feature the three session tracks, plus an additional song recorded at Toronto's Manta Sound studios later in the winter of 1985. They have been digitized from the original master tapes by Peter J. Moore of Cowboy Junkies' The Trinity Session fame, carefully remastered by Nicolás Zúñiga of Dead Wax Records and sound just great with all their original analogue glory. Patrick Duffy plays the drums here but has also designed the whole artwork for the release, which is presented in gorgeous clear vinyl, housed in a heavy matt finish sleeve with printed inner sleeve. A short run of 420 copies for worldwide distribution.

http://www.deadwaxrecords.es/releases_kineticideals_this_face.php

B-Movie's New Releases Announced

B-Movie are back! Earlier this year the band has announced the release of an EP as well as the brand new album. Both releases were released during the summer and feature brand new material. The EP is entitled 'Distant Skies' while the album with new material is called 'The Age of Illusion'. The album features new material, recorded by the original line up and it is the first release since 'Forever Running' (1985). The band will also embark on tour to promote new releases. 

More news via B-Movie official.
http://www.b-movie.co.uk/

Play's Red Movies Release Announced by Medical Records

Medical Records proudly presents the singles collection by UK’s Play as the second in a series of crucial reissues from the Survival Records imprint. Play was made up of Wayne Kennedy and David Rome, and all of their output was released on Survival (home to Drinking Electricity, Hard Corps, and Richard Bone). Play released 3 singles between 1982-1984, and a compilation LP “Red Movies” in 1985 (which compiled a majority of the singles but not all). All of these singles are now out of print and collectable. The Medical Records reissue of Red Movies is complete with 2 extra tracks not featured on the 1985 compilation LP including 3 remixes. The LP features preserved original front cover art . Back cover art is slightly modified to include updated credits and additional photos of Wayne Kennedy. Pressed on high quality 180gram “half and half” colored vinyl (blue and red) in a limited edition. The LP is out on September 17, 2013. 

 More info and pre-order link:
http://medical-records.org/records/play.html

The Smiths Deluxe Remaster Boxset Available on Pre-Order

Rhino Records UK is proud to present ‘Complete’, eight albums by The Smiths lovingly reworked by Johnny Marr and Rhino UK and packaged together for the first time - the ultimate The Smiths remasters collection.

 The collection includes all four of the band's studio albums – ‘The Smiths’ (1984), ‘Meat Is Murder’ (1985), ‘The Queen Is Dead’ (1986), ‘Strangeways, Here We Come’ (1987) and their sole live album ‘Rank’ (1988) as well as firm fan favourite compilations ‘Hatful Of Hollow’ (1984), ‘The World Won’t Listen’ (1987) and ‘Louder Than Bombs’ (1987). Each has been taken back to original tape sources and remastered by Johnny Marr and Frank Arkwright at the world famous Metropolis Studios in London. 

  http://www.rhino.co.uk/the-smiths-complete-deluxe-collectors-boxset

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.

A

Instant Hit: Section 25- Crazy Wisdom

Section 25 released the brilliant EP 'Crazy Wisdom' in 1985. This 12" record included three songs, the title track "Crazy Wisdom" as well as the electro remake of "Dirty Disco", both produced by Be Music/DoJo team. The record was originally released by Factory Benelux (FBN 45) and it was also featured on 'Section 25 – From The Hip - In The Flesh: Live In America 1985'.