Instant Hit: Brain- D.I.X.O

For all of those that the future is still kept in some of the most obscure and brilliant 80's tracks, should check this one out. Futuristic and experimental and a lot of forward thinking with the musical arrangement and design. There is not much info about the band itself and this is their only release from 1982. According to some sources on the internet, this single was reissued by Private Records from Berlin.

Instant Hit: Vision - Love Dance

In all honesty, I had never even heard of these guys until a couple hours ago. They're just another in a sea of bands that eluded me during the 80's and I'm sure they won't be the last. Better late to the party than not at all. I did a little digging and this is the handful of info that was available. Basically, they were a five-piece synthpop band out of Rotherham UK. Like many others, they released a minimal amount of material and were never to be heard from again. This string of releases included six singles and one album between 1981 and 1987. The track I'd like to focus on is for the single "Love Dance". It was released in 1983 and reached #74 on UK singles charts. That's it! You now know as much about them as I do. That said, I'm loving this track and video. I decided it was surely worth sharing.

Author: Ty Voltaire

Instant Hit: Virna Lindt- Intelligence

Virna Lindt, the Swedish model and star released two albums and several singles in the first half of the 80's decade. All her records were produced by Tot Tylor and they were issued by Compact Organisation label. Her music was mainly pop with some experimental inputs. "Intelligence" was released in 1983 and it was featured on her debut album Shiver. In 2007 LTM Publishing (Les Temps Modernes) reissued her debut album with bonus tracks.  

Instant Hit: Blackway- New Life

Blackway was a three-song Italo Disco project involving roughly the same personnel as B.W.H. and Mr. Master. "New Life" was their second single released on Moon Records Association in 1982. This and two other singles were reissued on 'Blackway' EP which also featured the remix versions of the songs. This release was issued by 'Music Control Italo' in 2009.   

 

Instant Hit: A Popular History of Signs- Dancing with Ideas

The London based quartet A Popular History of Signs released two studio albums and several singles during the 80's. Certainly one of the outstanding tracks was their 1982 release "Dancing With Ideas" which was released as 7" single. It was backed by "The Traveller" and it was issued on Melodia Records in 1982. The music of the band was drifting between arty synth-dance and lightly played mood music. 

 

Instant Hit: Lisa- Rocket to Your Heart

The American singer Lisa who was mostly known for her Hi-NRG, Synth-pop and Disco style outputs, made her debut in 1982 with "Jump Shout". A year later in 1983, she released one of her biggest hits "Rocket To Your Heart". The song made it to number #2 in the American Billboard Dance/Disco top 80, was released in many countries around the world as an import and went platinum in Mexico, a country where Lisa's music was, and still remains, incredibly popular. 

Instant Hit: 3rd Man- Oral Pleasure

3rd Man was a Norwegian minimal-synth duo who release their only single "Oral Pleasure" thirty years ago. The group consisted of Bjørn Sorknes and Morten Sjøberg who was also a member of one of the finest Norwegian post-punk outfits Fra Lippo Lippi. The single was issued as 7" on Unition Records and featured "Pleasure Recycled" as B-side. The song appeared on the compilation Maskindans - Norsk Synth 1980-1988 which was released in 2009. 

 

Instant Hit: Microdisney- Pink Skinned Man

"Pink Skinned Man" was the second single release for the Irish indie pop group Microdisney. It was released in 1983 through Kabuki and featured the wonderful and acoustic "Fiction Land" as a b-side. Perfect soundtrack to the late summer. 

 

Instant Hit: Vogue- Sahara

Vogue was a Los Angeles based group consisting of Aret Michel Madilian, Julie Kubat and Teresa Kubat. They released their only single, a wonderfully synth driven and very atmospheric "Sahara" in 1983. The song was issued as 12" for Aret Records and featured "Shattered Peace" on a B-side. The song appeared on A.A.V.V. Your Silent Face compilation which was released in 2010.  

 

Instant Hit: Hysterica Passio- Grey Over Life

Hysterica Passio, a NY downtown 4 piece group, released their only single "Grey Over Life" in 1982 for the Fire in Heart records. The band only lasted about 3 years but they managed to gain a good following playing at all the local venues such as Danceteria, The Pyramid Lounge, The Mudd Club & Maxwells. 

Instant Hit: Felt- My Face Is on Fire

"My Face is on Fire" was the third single for British group Felt which was issued by Cherry Red in 1982. The single was issued as a double A-side and also featured "Trails Of Colour Dissolve". The songs were written and by the lead singer Lawrence whose surname was never listed in any credits or press. 

Instant Hit: Patrick Cowley feat Paul Parker- Right on Target

San Francisco based hi-NRG singer and performer Paul Parker released his second single "Right on Target" in 1982. This song was produced by Patrick Cowley and it remained his biggest hit to date. The single was issued as both 7" and 12" single and it was backed by "Pushin' Too Hard" which was written by Sky Saxon. "Right on Target" was released through several different record labels including Megatron Records and Polydor.   

 

Instant Hit: The Electronic Circus- Direct Lines

Chris Payne was one of the members of Gary Numan's backing band, later known as Dramtis, and he was also a co-writer on Visage's biggest hit "Fade to Gray". He released one single under the name The Electronic Circus in 1981. The 7 " single was entitled "Direct Lines" and was backed by "Le Chorale". It was recorded by Tony Nod Harris for Scratch Records. 

Instant Hit: Dramatis- Ex Luna Scientia

Dramatis was Gary Numan's backing band which was formed around the core of Ced Sharpley and Chris Payne. They released a couple of singles and one album before disbanding in 1982. Both, their debut single "Ex Luna Scientia" (From the Moon) and their only album For Future Reference were released in 1981 on 'The Rocket Record Co'. The single was backed bu "Lady D.J." which didn't appear on their album. Gary Numan provided vocals for the song "Love Needs No Disguise" which reached No. 33 in the UK Charts.    

 

Instant Hit: Fatal Charm- Paris (1981)

"Paris" was the first single for Fatal Charm which was released in 1979. The song was written by the lead singer Paul Arnall who also sang the original version. In 1980, Sarah Simmonds joined the band and a year later "Paris" was re-released. Sarah's voice and Midge Ure production skills gave the record a whole new feel. The record featured "Christine" on a B-side and it was released by Ariola. 

Instant Hit: The Names- Calcutta

The Names released their last single "Calcutta" in 1982 on Factory Benelux. The song was written by M.Smordynia and produced by M.Hannett. The single was issued as both 7" and 12" with "Postcards" as a b-side. This song and other single releases were included on a remastered edition of the album 'Swimming' from 1982 which was reissued in 2000 by LTM Publishing. 

Instant Hit: Bernthøler - My Suitor

"My Suitor" was one of the two singles the Belgian avant garde group Bernthøler released in 1983. The group was formed in the early eighties as a "musical experiment" named after a line in a Virna Lindt song. "My Suitor" was originally released in 1983 in Belgium and a year later in the UK. The band didn't release any albums up to 2004 when their recording material was released on a compilation Merry Lines In The Sky by LTM Publishing (Les Temps Modernes). 

Instant Hit: O'Gar- Playback Fantasy

"Playback Fantasy" was a first single release for the Italian singer and producer Marco Ongaro who recorded a couple of songs and one album during the 80's under a name O'Gar. "Playback Fantasy" was a hit in Europe and it was released in several European countries. The single was released in 1983 and it was issued as both 7" and 12" inch record with the instrumental version of the song as a b-side. It was also featured on O'Gar's only album Gimmick from the year 1985.

Instant Hit: Spectral Display- There's A Virus Going Round

"There's a Virus Going Round" was a first release for a Dutch group Spectral Display in 1982. This smooth synth pop gem which featured Arianne Kraak on vocals was released as 7" and 12" with "Hang Ups" as a B-side. Both songs were also included on their self titled debut album released in the same year. Their biggest hit "It Takes a Muscle to Fall in Love" was covered by M.I.A. on her last album. 

Instant Hit: League of Nations- Fade

League of Nations was a Los Angeles based synth pop duo consisting of David Sinfield and Laurie Jean. They released one single and EP between 1982 and 1984. "Fade" was the title track of the only single release from 1982. Two years later, it was also included in the compilation Music For The New Depression with five other songs.