Japan's Story in Music in 'A Foreign Place' Book

Burning Shed Label has announced the release of 'A Foreign Place' is a comprehensive biography of the influential band Japan which was written by musician and author, Anthony Reynolds. 

It chronicles the rise and fall of one of one of the most respcted and influental New romantic Artpop bands and lifts the veil on the creative processes and personal histories of a fascinating group of introspective musicians whose activities have frequently been shrouded in secrecy. 

 Reynolds, previously responsible for books on The Walker Brothers and Leonard Cohen, engagingly details the strange twists and turns that saw a group of friends from working class South London develop from unpromising provincial Glam Funk origins to eventually become the authors of the innovative and exotic sonic assault of the globally successful 'Tin Drum'. 

 Written with the full approval and co-operation of Richard Barbieri, Steve Jansen and Rob Dean, the book contains many unseen period photographs, as well as first-hand accounts of the band and its music from friends, music industry associates and musical collaborators. 

  www.burningshed.com

Best of 1982 - The Singles List

After having been propelled further by the New Romantic movement and becoming much easier to handle, Synthesizers became dominant in pop music and a possible formula for future success. The Human League were still ruling the charts and won the BRIT Award for the best Breakthrough act. Following their success story other bands like Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Soft Cell adopted synthesizers as main instruments which had an impact in launching of the Second British Invasion in the US. This brought the new styles, rhythms and stars to the States including Duran Duran, The Human League, Eurythmics, Billy Idol and more. Sadly some of the great bands from late 70s and early 80s disbanded which included most notably Blondie, Adam and The Ants, ABBA and Japan.

01. Yaz(oo)- Don't Go 

02. Tears for Fears- Mad World 

03. Heaven 17- Let Me Go 

04. Talk Talk- Talk Talk 

05. Yazoo- Situation 

06. Duran Duran- Rio 

07. Tears for Fears- Pale Shelter 

08. Eurythmics- Love is a Stranger

09. A Flock of Seagulls- I Ran (So Far Away) 

10. Japan- Ghosts 

11. The Psychedelic Furs- Love My Way 

12. Visage- The Damned Don't Cry 

13. New Order- Temptation 

14. Soft Cell- Torch 

15. Simple Minds- Promised You A Miracle 

16. The Stranglers - Golden Brown

17. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark- Maid of Orleans 

18. Modern English - I Melt with You 

19. Duran Duran- Save a Prayer 

20. ABC- Poison Arrow 

Best of 1981- The Albums List

The year 1980 was marked by a profound sense of loss with the tragic death of John Lennon in December. The music world mourned the passing of one of its most influential figures, and Lennon's iconic hits like "Woman" and "Imagine" reappeared on the charts as a tribute to his enduring legacy. Roxy Music also paid homage with a cover of "Jealous Guy."

Despite the somber atmosphere, the charts were still lively with the sounds of rising stars like Adam and the Ants, while The Police continued to dominate. Human League made a notable return, emerging from a dark phase and releasing "Don't You Want Me Baby." This, coupled with Soft Cell's "Tainted Love," played a crucial role in defining the emerging genre known as Synth-pop.

Simultaneously, the New Romantic movement began to gain traction, with young artists embracing synthesizers and distinctive fashion choices, including lipstick. A groundbreaking moment in the music industry occurred with the launch of MTV, featuring "Video Killed The Radio Star" by The Buggles as its inaugural video. This song became a symbol of the new platform that would reshape the music industry, ushering in a new era of visual storytelling and musical dimension.

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.

Best of 1980- The Album List

The year 1980 marked a fascinating intersection, straddling the influences of the 1970s while gradually embracing the emerging trends of the new decade. Chart-toppers like Blondie, ABBA, The Police, and The Jam continued to dominate the music scene. Notable achievements included David Bowie securing his second number one hit, and Kate Bush becoming the first British female artist to claim a No.1 album.

However, amidst the musical successes, 1980 also witnessed tragic losses that left an indelible mark on the industry. Ian Curtis of Joy Division tragically took his own life just before the band's scheduled US Tour, while John Lennon, an iconic figure in music, was shot dead outside his New York City apartment. These losses left families and legions of fans grieving.

The year concluded with John Lennon's posthumous release, "{Just Like) Starting Over," topping the UK charts, serving as both a poignant farewell and a herald of the new decade.

Mick Karn Appeal

A message from mickkarn.com official:

"With great sadness we regret to inform you that Mick has recently been diagnosed with advanced stages of cancer. Mick is currently in a positive mood and undergoing further tests and treatment. His family and friends are close with him, supporting him in practical ways, and surrounding him with their love, friendship and care.

Mick has been struggling financially for some considerable time now and we are hoping that this appeal may help to raise funds for any necessary treatment and perhaps go some way towards providing a small degree of financial support whilst Mick's immediate family provide the care and comfort we would all wish for him. Quite aside from the sheer brunt of daunting medically-related costs, Mick's clear and major concern is for the security and well being of his wife and young son."

If you purchase any portrait from his website collection and state that you are purchasing as a means of donating to the Mick Karn appeal the funds will be be donated to the fund. Any Mick Karn portrait purchased will automatically be donated to the fund.

http://www.mickkarn.net/

http://www.stevejansen.com/imageshop/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20100611_midge.shtml

'Japan and Self Existence'

Japan's Mick Karn has just published his autobiography which is titled 'Japan & Self Existence' and is described as 'a personal insight into life as a musician and artist spanning more than 30 years'.The 387 pages include 24 photos, of which only 7 have ever been published before. The Book is available on lulu.com

http://www.mickkarn.net/

Dali's Car

Dalis Car was a musical group formed in 1984 by Peter Murphy and Mick Karn soon after Murphy and Karn left their former bands (Bauhaus and Japan, respectively) to the great disappointment of the numerous fans. They took their name from a Captain Beefheart song from his album Trout Mask Replica. 

Formed by former Bauhaus vocalist/ lyricist Peter Murphy and Japan bassist/composer Mick Karn. Some say that Dalis Car was doomed almost from the start and that the group nearly self-destructed itself, before it was disbanded.

“It was a particularly difficult project. We were two very different people.Socially we were fine, but no matter how good the idea of working together sounded, when it did come to work, we couldn't get on. However, I do think the end result makes for a very interesting album. Situations full of tension can often be the most creative. Perhaps due to our strong, opposing opinions, there's a certain strength to Dalis Car. I doubt if there will be a reunion.” Mick Karn

 

image courtesy of amazon.com

Their album, The Waking Hour, released in 1984, came in at more than thirty thousand dollars over the sixty thousand dollar budget given them by Virgin and Beggars Banquet. As a commercial failure, back then, the album produced one equally disappointing single,"The Judgement Is The Mirror" In musical styles it is post punk with oriental elements and folk. The painting on The Waking Hour cover is by Maxfield Parish, an American artist who used to paint happy psychedelic pictures just like for the food ads.

 

Update:
In August 2010, Peter Murphy announced on Twitter that he and Karn were planning to head into the studio in September to begin work on the second Dalis Car album. The project was cut short, however, as Karn had recently been diagnosed with cancer. He died on 4 January 2011, thus ending the reunion. The tracks they did record—including a re-working of "Artemis" from The Waking Hour with newly added vocals, guitar, and drums, and renamed Artemis Rise—were released on 5 April 2012 as an EP entitled InGladAloneness.

Source: Wikipedia (edit)