Next Wave: Minuit Machine

Minuit Machine is a Paris based darkwave duo consisting of Hélène de Thoury and Amandine Stioui. Hélène was previously active with her band Phosphor when she decided to quit the band in 2013 and start her own music ventures. She soon met Amandine and together they started recording music as Minuit Machine. Their music is dark, very atmospheric and cold and it reflects all the struggles we encounter one day or another, self-destruction, fear and love. Their debut EP 'Blue Moon' was released in 2013 and this year sees the release of their debut album 'Live and Destroy' which is out on Desire Records.

http://minuitmachine.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/minuit-machine
http://www.desirerecords.com

Jimmy Sommerville's Video and Rarities Compilation Announced

Edsel has announced the release a Jimmy Somerville compilation, 'Dance & Desire • Rarities & Videos' in November. This compilation brings together music and videos from across Somerville’s career beginning with Bronski Beat, moving through the Communards and then Jimmy’s solo career. The story turns full circle with the inclusion of "Smalltown Boy (Reprise 2014)" a new version of the classic track with an accompanying promo film. 'Dance & Desire • Rarities & Videos' includes rare remixes (and videos) not compiled on the previous deluxe reissues, most notably the original twelve-inch versions of 1984 hits "Smalltown Boy" and the full ‘Son Of Gotham City’ mix of "Don’t Leave Me This Way". 'Dance & Desire • Rarities & Videos' will be released on 17 November 2014.

http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/jimmy-somerville-dance-desire-rarities-videos-2cddvd/

WAW: White Hex- Paradise

White Hex are back after two years break with another interesting release. As they say, on the second album 'Gold Nights' they explore more italo disco, minimalist techno and the more primitive end of 1980’s German underground and it is more sophisticated then their debut release. Here is the outstanding track from 'Gold Nights' and their first single 'Paradise'. The video for it was directed by Devin De Araujo.

Simple Minds' 'Big Music' to be released in early November

Already in May this year, Simple Minds announced the release of a brand new album. We're here just to give quick update on it. This will be their 16th studio album entitled 'Big Music'. The album release was announced with the release of two videos for the songs "Blindfolded" and "Honest Town". The official album release is set for November 3rd. To promote the album they will go on tour next year kicking of in February.

http://simpleminds.tmstor.es/ 

The Wake Release 'Testament'- Best of Compilation

Factory Benelux has released 'Testament', a comprehensive 'best of' collection by influential Glasgow group The Wake. 'Testament' includes tracks recorded for cult labels Factory and Sarah Records. It combines key album tracks with singles including "On Our Honeymoon", "Something Outside", "Talk About the Past", "Of the Matter" and "Crush the Flowers". 

Also included are a previously unreleased 7" edit of 'Pale Spectre' and 2012 studio outtake Clouds Disco. The vinyl edition includes an exclusive 54 minute bonus CD featuring 21 early live and demo recordings from 1981/82, preserved in the tape archive of Joy Division/New Order manager Rob Gretton. Among these priceless lost recordings are 7 songs never before heard even on bootlegs. 

The matt reverse board artwork is based on the artwork for an unreleased cassette edition of 'Here Comes Everybody', designed by Peter Saville. 

Follow the link for the track lists and additional information

www.factorybenelux.com/testament
 

Thomson Twins' 'Remixes and Rarities' out this September

Thirty years ago the Thomson Twins released their most commercial album to date 'Into the Gap'. I somehow feel that they actually never grew old and that they remained as one of the great examples of a typical 80's band with a unique and distinctive image.

To bring up some good memories and even more rare goodness Cherry Red Records announced the release of 'Thompson Twins Remixes & Rarities'. The two-CD set brings together extended remixes of all the classic singles including "Sisters Of Mercy", "In The Name Of Love" and "Love On Your Side", alongside some choice rarities such as the single/AOR version of "The Gap", early B-side "In The Beginning and Fools In Paradise (King For A Day instrumental)". 

Everything is being remasterd from the original tapes and collection will be released this September 2014    

http://www.cherryred.co.uk/finderkeepers-exd.asp?id=4799

Oto's 'Purge an Urge' Reissued on Desire Records

Formed in the early 80's in Lorraine in France it took the band few years to finally release some recording material. This happened in 1984 with their debut "Anyway" which I discovered on an 80's compilation. After this release, a three-piece band, played a few gigs before entering the studio to record their one and only album 'Purge An Urge'. Produced by Vincent Hachet from French industrial duo Geinst Naït, 'Purge An Urge' was supposed to contain 9 tracks but the final release saw only 6 tracks. Cécile from fellow Nancy’s band Candidate even did some backing vocals. The record was originally released in 1986 on Divine and it has been reissued for a very first time through Desire. For more info check the link below. 

http://www.desirerecords.com/release/dsr097

Retrovision: Barbie Wilde- Phantom Lady

Barbie Wilde known as Canadian-born British actress and writer was also a member of the rock/mime burlesque music group Shock in the early 80's who used to tour with Depeche Mode, Ultravox, Gary Numan and other great artist. Everything she did related to music was somehow connected to Tik & Tok and Shock. This video is small evidence of something she recorded under her own name of course produced by (Burgess, Walters, Wilde). The video was released in 1984 and was directed by David Rose.

 

Next Wave: Tempers

Tempers is a NYC-based post-punk/electronic duo comprised of Jasmine Golestaneh and Eddie Cooper. Jasmine, born in Florida, is of Latvian-Iranian descent, and grew up in Paris and London before moving to New York. She has recorded and performed as musician for most of her life and her visual art, primarily collage, has been shown in galleries throughout New York. Eddie is a NYC native who spent years in Berlin, where he released records on electronic labels like !K7 and Eskimo. The started playing as a band in 2011 and began recording songs almost immediately as part of their songwriting process. They have plans to release a full-length album later this year. Their first single "Eyes Wide Wider" b/w "Hell Hotline" were mixed by Damian Taylor(Trust/Bjork/The Killers).

http://www.tempersmusic.com/ 

https://soundcloud.com/tempersmusic 

WAW: Terror Bird- Waiting for Nothing / The Wrong Way

Nikki Never from Terror Bird has teamed up with Sally Dige for few videos sessions. Nikki in front and Sally behind the camera directing the videos for the songs "Waiting for Nothing" and "The Wrong Way". This would mean two new videos in Sally's video directing series if we include her own from few years back. Both videos express great DIY sense and a good play of shadow and light, vintage TV screens and dope bedroom indie pop.