Instant Hit: Wolfgang Press - I Am The Crime

"I Am The Crime" is a track from The Wolfgang Press' second album Standing Up Straight, released in 1986. The song features Elisabeth Fraser of Cocteau Twins, contributing to the backing vocal arrangement.

Instant Hit: Private Blue- She's Love

Private Blue was a short-lived German act that released only one single during their brief existence, titled "She's Love." This 12" single featured two versions of the titular song along with "Help Me Tonight." Genre-wise, it falls into the category of Synth Pop with a strong influence of Italo Disco, a style that was popular in Germany at the time. The single was released on the 80's label Westside Music, which also featured music by artists like Moskwa TV and Celebrate the Nun. While it may be considered an obscurity today, there's hope that it will find its place on music compilations that appreciate similar genres.

 

Instant Hit: Die Form - Slow Love

Die Form released "Slow Love" in 1986 as a single on the French Label Attitude. As most of their music it was some fine electro synth-pop in the veil of darkness. The song was backed with "The Beast" and "Metaphase" both performed by Cécile Ke. The song was later included on the 'Poupée Mécanique' reissue from 1990.

Best of 1986- Top 50 Singles

In early 1985, Pet Shop Boys stormed the UK charts with "West End Girls" which would also remain their signature tune and biggest hit. Together with Erasure, they were transforming the synth pop into electro dance giving it a new face. The Communards certainly contributed to this trend, as their cover of the disco classic “Don’t Leave Me This Way” was the best-selling single of the year. Madonna and George Michael were still among the best-selling artists further developing the pop genre and Madonna’s third studio album True Blue was the best-selling in the UK.

01. The Smiths - There is a Light that Never goes out
02. New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle
03. Desireless - Voyage Voyage
04. Depeche Mode - Stripped

05. The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again
06. The Stranglers - Always The Sun
07. Big Audio Dynmaite - E=MC2
08. a-ha- Hunting High and Low
09. Cyndi Lauper- True Colours
10. David Bowie - Absolute Beginners
11. Madonna - Live to Tell

12. Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush - Don't Give Up

13. Black - Wonderful Life

14. Iggy Pop - Real Wild Child

15. The Bangles - Walk Like an Egyptian

16. Genesis - Land of Confusion
17. R.E.M. - Fall on Me
18. Kim Wilde - You Keep Me Hangin' On
19. The Pretenders - Don't Get Me Wrong
20. Talk Talk - Living in Another World

Retrovision: DAF- Brothers

"Brothers" was the thirteenth single release for the German-American duo formation DAF which was released 30 years ago. The song was taken from the album '1st Step to Heaven' and it is one of our favorite tunes from them although it is considered as most commercial move in their career.

    

Best of 1986- The Album List

n the early months of 1985, the Pet Shop Boys made a significant impact on the UK charts with "West End Girls," a track that would go on to become their signature tune and biggest hit. Alongside Erasure, they played a pivotal role in transforming synth-pop into electro-dance, giving the genre a fresh and contemporary sound. The Communards also contributed to this evolving trend, as their cover of the disco classic "Don't Leave Me This Way" emerged as the best-selling single of the year.

Meanwhile, established artists like Madonna and George Michael continued to be among the best-selling acts, further shaping the pop genre. Madonna's third studio album, "True Blue," stood out as the best-selling album in the UK during this period, solidifying her status as a pop icon. The musical landscape of 1985 reflected a dynamic fusion of synth-pop, electro-dance, and enduring pop influences.

Oto's 'Purge an Urge' Reissued on Desire Records

Formed in the early 80's in Lorraine in France it took the band few years to finally release some recording material. This happened in 1984 with their debut "Anyway" which I discovered on an 80's compilation. After this release, a three-piece band, played a few gigs before entering the studio to record their one and only album 'Purge An Urge'. Produced by Vincent Hachet from French industrial duo Geinst Naït, 'Purge An Urge' was supposed to contain 9 tracks but the final release saw only 6 tracks. Cécile from fellow Nancy’s band Candidate even did some backing vocals. The record was originally released in 1986 on Divine and it has been reissued for a very first time through Desire. For more info check the link below. 

http://www.desirerecords.com/release/dsr097

Ultravox' - Ultra Box Set Announced for Late October

Chrysalis Records have announced the release of a new Ultravox box set. 'The Albums 1980-2012' is a nine-CD collection featuring the six Midge Ure era studio albums – 'Vienna' (1980), 'Rage in Eden' (1981), 'Quartet' (1982), 'Lament' (1984) and 'U-Vox' (1986) – as well as live records 'Monument' (1983) and 'Return to Eden' (2009). The story is brought right back up to date with the inclusion of 'Brilliant', last year’s studio album featuring the classic line-up after a recording hiatus of almost three decades. All the LPs from the 1980s have been newly remastered by Steve Rooke at Abbey Road Studios. 

The CDs will be in card sleeves and housed in a clamshell box. The Albums 1980-2012 is released on 28 October 2013.

Source:

http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/

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

Retrovision: Eurythmics- Thorn in My Side

25 years ago Eurythmics released "Thorn in My Side" and enjoyed some chart success around Europe. The single reached the top 10 in the UK, Sweden and Ireland. The song was written by both members of the group and it was by Dave Stewart.

Instant Hit: Days of Sorrow- Wild World

Days of Sorrow was minimal Post punk group from Germany. By the time they were releasing their single "Wild World", they were a five piece band with William D.Lennox on vocals. The song was released through Rough Trade Germany in 1986 with "Mysterious Eyes" as a B-side, produced by Frank Becking.

Until December- The 415 Sessions

San Francisco's 415 label has reissued Until December's only album which was released in 1986. This 2 CD set pretty much encompasses their entire recorded work. Disc 1 features the full album plus a bunch of non-LP singles. Disc 2 features their 12" remix versions of their best tracks. Most of this material is making its worldwide CD debut.

http://idealcopy.american-data.ne

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Kim Wilde Reissues

Cherry Red continues to release albums from Kim Wilde catalog. After the release of the first three albums, they will relase 'Teases and Dares' from 1984 and 'Another Step', originally released in 1986.

'Teases and Dares' comes complete with an incredible 16 bonus tracks including many ultra rare 12 and Extended mixes. Alongside the original LP artwork this release includes lyrics to all the songs. 'Another Step' gets the deluxe 2CD treatment and comes with 17 bonus tracks including many hard to find 12 , 7 , Club and Extended versions, all re-mastered by Tim Turan.

http://www.cherryred.co.uk/

Grace Jones- Slave To the Rhythm

The music video for the title track 'Slave to the Rhythm' was directed by Nick Hooker in 1986 and featured scenes from the 1986 series of French television advertisements for the futuristic Citroën CX GTi Turbo automobile. The spots also featured Ms. Jones and other models in rear nudity or semi nude in various poses.

Instant Hit: Kid Monatana- Spooky

"Spooky" is a well known song from the late 60's which has been covered by many artists. One of the most popular cover version is probably Dusty Spingfield's. During the 80's "Spooky" has been covered by less known bands like Vicious Pink and Kid Montana in 1986. Kid Montana's version of the song was released in 1986 through the Belgian independent label 'Les Disques du Crépuscule'.

Instant Hit: The Chameleons- Tears

The Chameleons released their single "Tears" in 1986. This song was a highlight on their album 'Strange Times' which was released in the same year on Geffen Records in UK and USA. Both, the single and the album were produced by Dave Allen and Mark Saunders. The song exist in two different versions and is known as "Tears"(the original arrangement) and "Tears" (the full arrangement). "Paradiso" was the b-side single.

Instant Hit: Alan Rankine- The World Begins To Look Her Age (Single)

"The World Begins To Look Her Age" was the third and the last single Alan Rankine has released as solo artist. In the early 80's he was a producer and member of the British group the Associates. This single was released on Virgin, in 1987 and appeared on the album of the same name released the year before, in 1986.

Instant Hit: Shriekback- The Big Hush

In 1985, Shriekback released their third studio album Oil and Gold which featured one of Shriekback's best song ever recorded and our absolute favorite tune by the band. Sadly, it was never released as a single, but it was featured in Michael Mann's 1986 film Manhunter.

Instant Hit: Blue For Two- Catch Me

"Catch Me" was the first track on the self titled debut album by the Swedish group Blue For Two,  released in 1986 on Radium 266.05. Their sound was defined as some sort of dark synth-pop. The band remained active in music in the next decades and released five more albums.

Instant Hit: Secession- Michael

"Michael" was one of the several singles Secession released between 1983 and 1987. It was released in 1986 and marked the label change from Beggars Banquet to Siren Records and it also appeared on their only album release Dark Enchantment released a year later.