Next Wave: Ice Choir

A Brooklyn based musician Kurt Feldman, originally a member of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, has a new band project called Ice Choir. Ice Choir's smooth and glossy retro synth-pop reminds of Scritti Politti, late OMD and even Johnny Hates Jazz. Just close your eyes to their music and you will dream of 1985.  

Ice Choir is from Brooklyn, it was formed in 2010 and consists of Kurt Feldman, Raphael Radna, Avery Brooks and Patrick South. Their debut album 'Afar' was released on July 31st and it is available on CD and LP.

More info here:
www.icechoir.com
http://www.facebook.com/theicechoir
 

Wired for Sound- The New Book About 80's Music Childhood

This summer Simon & Schuster Ltd have released 'Wired for Sound' by Tom Bromley who is know for his mixture of fiction and non-fiction, mainly with a pop culture slant. 

'Wired For Sound' chronicles the rise and fall of eighties music, from the Band Aid highs of Duran Duran, Wham! and U2 to the Band Aid II lows of Bros, Jason Donovan and Wet Wet Wet. In loving detail, it explores the themes that defined the charts of the time: from music videos to VW badges, synthesisers to stadium rock and from Radio One to Frankie saying "Relax". 

Tom Bromley captures, too, the experiences of the small town boys and girls who grew up listening to the music: a generation of 'Smash Hits' readers and Sony Walkman owners, 'Top of the Pops' viewers and C90 cassette compilers. Evoking an era when it really mattered who was number one, Wired for Sound is an affectionate celebration of both a musical youth and the decade when young guns really went for it.  

www.tombromley.co.uk
 

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.  

 

Retrovision: Marquis de Sade- Wanda's Loving Boy

French post punk group Marquis de Sade fronted by singer Philippe Pascal and guitarist Franck Darcel released "Wanda's Loving Boy" in 1981. The song was the last release for the group in the early 80's before they split. The song appeared on their second album 'Rue de Siam', released during the same year.

Out This Week: Wild Nothing- Nocturne

The American dream pop duo Wild Nothing fronted by Jack Tatum have released their second album entitled 'Nocturne' this week. This is a follow up to their debut album 'Gemini' which was released two years ago, both out on Captured tracks. Their latest single 'Paradise' is also out this month. 

Summer Singles Round Up

Summer singles round-up is here! The best single releases from the previous two months lined up.

1.The Irrepressibles- New World

2.The xx- Chained

3.The xx- Angels 

4.Bat For Lashes- Laura 

5.Grizzly Bear- Yet Again

6.Wild Nothing- Paradise

7.Washed Out- A Dedication 

8.Blur- Under The Westway 

9.dEUS- The Soft Fall 

10.Lamb- Butterfly Effect

John Foxx and The Maths to Release 'Evidence'

Following the success of their previous two albums, John Foxx and the Maths have teamed up for yet another electronic experience. Their third album is going to be entitled 'Evidence' and it will include collaborative tracks with The Soft Moon, Xeno & Oaklander, Gazelle Twin, Matthew Dear and Tara Busch. The album release is announced for September 10th. More info via Metamatic.

http://www.metamatic.com
 

Zaine Griff Reissues

Zaine Griff's first two studio albums 'Ashed and Diamonds' and 'Figvres' have been reissued for the first time by Amplifier. The Auckland born singer who formed part of the English New wave scene and who was under a strong influence of David Bowie released these albums in the early 80's. 

His debut album 'Ashes and Diamonds' was produced by Tony Visconti, famous for his work with David Bowie. They met and re-recorded three songs with Zaine Griff's band. The album was issued in 1980 and featured the singles "Ashes and Diamonds" and "Run". Zaine's second album 'Figvres' was released two years later, in 1982 by Polydor. It was produced by Hans Zimmer and featured a great line-up of artist who collaborated on it including Warren Can, Yukihiro Takahashi and Kate Bush. The album featured the singles "Figvres" and "Flowers" the wonderful duet with Kate Bush. 

Zaine has released his third album 'Child Who Wants The Moon' in 2011 and currently, he is working on his fourth album which is expected to be released in winter 2012. 

http://www.zainegriff.co.uk/home.html