Retrovision: Bel Canto - Birds of Passage

"Birds of Passage" was the third single release for the Norwegian multi instrumental dream pop trio Bel Canto and was taken from their second album of the same name. The single was released in Canada in 1989 and in some of the European countries in 1990.

 

Retrovision: Marc Almond & Gene Pitney - Something`s Gotten Hold Of My Heart

In parallel to the ongoing year, we are also celebrating some of the biggest hits from 1989, celebrating their 30 years anniversaries. Here is the first to start with. One of the finest music "accidents" and the cover than even outgrew the.

original and stayed on the top of the UK charts through out most of the February 1989.

 

Retrovision: Neneh Cherry- Buffalo Stance

Hope you have had a nice festive season and in fact are enjoying it still. Happy 2018 and let's hope it will be another year of musical excitements and delights. In parallel with 2018, we will turn to 1988 and celebrate a thirty years anniversary with our Album and Singles charts. As part of this promo, we have picked Neneh Cherry' debut "Buffalo Stance" which was released during this year and which  reached #3 in the UK and and top positions in Netherlands and here home country Sweden.

 

Retrovision: Prefab Sprout- If You Don't Love Me

Prefab Sprout released "If You Don't Love Me" 25 years ago, in 1992. It was a quite an unusual Prefab Sprout track, having this Anglo Dance rhythms with the touch of Pet Shop Boys and SAW. Back then, it was a brand new track on the 'A Life of Surprises: The Best of Prefab Sprout' compilation which was released during the same year. The song was produced by Stephen Lipson and it was covered by Kylie Minogue and released as b-side to "Confide in Me" on some Australia releases.

 

Retrovision: The Communards- Tomorrow

Thirty years ago the Communards released their seventh single titled "Tomorrow" which was taken from bands's second album 'Red' released during the same year. For reasons unknown the single only went to # 23 in the UK charts.  It is one of the songs in the run for the 1987 Top 40 Singles. Don't forget to add your list.

http://burningflameblog.blogspot.rs/2017/07/1987-singles-draft.html

Retrovision: Jyl- Mechanic Ballerina

Even today in the era of reissues and remasters this act remains quite enigmatic. The project was fronted by by American female vocalist Jyl Porch while the production matters remained in the hands of Ingo Werner. The video is produced by Joachim Ballon and features footage of Jyl from 1985. The song was featured on Jyl's only album released in 1984.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFV15M8Agiw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFV15M8Agiw

Retrovision: Swing Out Sister- Twilight World

Thirty years ago “Twilight World” entered the UK charts. It was the fourth single release for the Manchester based Swing Out Sister. The single appeared on their debut album ‘It’s better to Travel’ which went straight to Number 1 on the UK charts.

Retrovision: Fire Inc- Tonight’s What it Means to be Young

Introduced as ‘A Rock & Roll Fable’, Street of Fire was released and became hit in 1984. The film is a mix of musical, action, neo-noir, drama, and comedy, with elements of retro-1950s and 1980s. It also provide a brilliant Soundtrack from which today we remember “Tonight’s What it Means To be Young” originally sang by Ellen Aim and in the movie performed by Diane Lane.

Retrovision: Opus III- It's a Fine Day

Twenty five years ago, Opus III topped the UK charts with "It's a Fine Day" reaching #5. The single was actually a cover and house makeover of the classic by Jane released in 1983 and written by poet and musician Edward Barton. The song's video below featured the singer Kirsty Hawkshaw (with her standout shaved head and bodysuit) performing and dancing.

 

Retrovision: Curiosity Killed the Cat- Down to Earth

Born somewhere on the crossroads between 1986 and 1987, Curiosity Killed the Cat made their chart debut in the UK with "Down to Earth" reaching #26. This Prefab Sprout inspired sound with jazz and funk influences was becoming more and more popular among bands of that time and they contributed to the sound that would eventually become popular as Sophisti-Pop.
Welcome to 1987!

Retrovision: Moby- Go

"Go" was the second single release for Moby released 25 years ago. The song was featured on his self titled debut album and released on Instinct label. "Go" samples "Laura Palmer's Theme" from the television series Twin Peaks and the titular vocal from Tones on Tail's song "Go!". The "yeah" vocal which features prominently in the track is actually a sample from soul singer Jocelyn Brown, taken from her 1985 single "Love's Gonna Get You"; this sample remains uncredited. The video was directed by Ondrej Rudavsky.

Retrovision: The Shamen - LSI (Love, Sex, Intelligence)

Twenty five years ago in July 1992, The Shamen entered the UK charts with LSI (Love, Sex, Intelligence). They managed to reach Top tens in Finland, Sweden and UK with this track and it remained as one of their successful single releases to date which included Jhelisa Anderson on vocals. The song was taken from the album 'Boss Drum' released during the same year and the video for it was directed by Mathew Glamorre.

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.

    

Retrovision: Lush- Ladykillers

Twenty years ago Lush released their single "Ladykillers" on 4AD which became their best selling single. It is considered as one of the best Brit Pop tracks ever recorded during the 90's. A music video for the song, directed by Mark Pellington, was released in 1996 and it featured the band performing the song, as well as footage of praying mantises decapitating one another. On 19 February 2016, the band announced the 'Blind Spot' EP, the band's first new material since 1996.

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. 

Retrovision: The Beautiful South- A Little Time

"A Little Time" was the biggest hit for The Beuatiful South that was released 25 years ago. It was the firt single from the album 'Choke' recorded asa duet featuring vocalists Dave Hemingway and Briana Corrigan. The song reached number one #1 and went Gold in the UK while the video for the song received a Brit Award in 1991.

 

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: Inspiral Carpets- This is How it Feels

Twenty five years ago Inspiral Carpets released their seventh single "This is How it Feels" and the first one to reach the top 20 in the UK charts. The US music video for "This Is How It Feels" was inspired by the imagery of the British art duo Gilbert and George, making use of their signature "stained glass" and grid style and their standard iconography. The song was written by Clint Boon.

Retrovision: Cristina- Ticket to the Tropics

"Ticket to the Tropics" was the last single release for Cristina Monet-Palaci who recorded under the name Cristina. She released two albums and several singles in the first half of the decade. Her music was related to disco, funk and no wave and she certainly is one of the most underrated New wave stars. "Ticket to the Tropics" was released in 1984 and the video for the song is considered extremely rare. Thanks dear youtuber who shared this.