Instant Hit: And One- Forever J

This year, one of the songs I've been listening to frequently is a cover by the German group And One. Originally recorded by Terry Hall and released in the early 90s, this cover version later became a B-side of the single "Wasted," released by And One around 2000.

WAW: Riviera F- International Lover

Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura was an English group formed in the winter of 1982. It originally consisted of two members Peter Oldroyd and Nigel James. Peter had been in several bands prior to this and just returned from living in Belgium. Nigel met Peter in a nightclub after a gig and they decided the write some songs together.

Four compositions came out of this initial session of writing and two of them, “Destitution” and “Race in Athens” became the duo's first single on Small Wonder Records in the spring of 1983. Their only LP 'Horizonts of Suburbia' was recorded in 1983 but stayed unreleased until it was released on Anna Logue Records in 2005. This record featured ten catchy synth-pop songs mixing with minimal electronics.

In 1985 Camera Obscura extended into a 4-piece line up (Gary Scargill and Rob Gospel were added) and the Quartet formed Paradise Now in '86. Nigel left in '87 and was replaced by Steve Wright from Fiat Lux. In 1989 Peter and Gary formed the extremely successful Ded Good Music but sadly the Band ended there. However, Camera Obscura never actually split up, Peter and Nigel have just had a long break until now.....

VA- After Dark

'After Dark' is one of the best compilations that was released this year on Italians Do It Better Records. It features groups like Glass Candy, Chromatics, Mirage, Farah and more. They all have one thing in common, their electro/synth/italo sound in combination with smooth female vocals. Here is one example of a lost 80's New Wave song "Hands In The Dark" which was recorded by Dark Day with Robin Crutchfield on vocals. This song has been covered by the Chromatics. Both songs are available here.

Dark Day- Hands in The Dark

Chromatics- Hands in The Dark

Retrovision: Paul Haig - The Only Truth

Insant Hit: Fiat Lux- Photography

"Photography" was released as Fiat Lux' second single in 1983 on Polydor Records. This record was produced by Hugh Jones and it appeared as 7", 12" and on the Hired History. In 2019,  the album was reissued by Cherry Red as Hired History Plus including the lost album Ark of Embers.