Bill Nelson - The Two-Fold Aspect of Everything 2xLP (1984)

Some time ago, I discussed another Bill Nelson related project called Red Noise. That project received some attention, but not nearly as much as the eponymous artist's solo work. For those unfamiliar, here is a bit of a bio: Bill Nelson is a prominent English new wave artist that was active all through the 1980s. He led a band called Be-Bop Deluxe, later led Red Noise, and eventually decided on a solo career in electronic music. Despite releasing countless - seriously, countless - records, Nelson remained a mostly reclusive musician, no doubt due to his poor relationship with major labels. He released most of his records on his own label, Cocteau Records, likely named after Jean Cocteau, of whom Nelson was a big fan.

Bill Nelson has quickly become a favorite of mine over the past couple years. Nelson is overtly a guitarist, although his music could easily be described as synth-pop. The music featured in this compilation rarely meanders - straight-forward, propulsive pop right down to the core. His version of the guitar-synth hybrid sound always keeps me coming back, not to mention every track he does is endlessly catchy. And although Nelson remains pretty obscure, he has a diehard fanbase keeping his music alive. He still performs today, too.

This may or may not be a good introduction to Bill Nelson for those who haven't heard his music before. Many of these songs are remixes and alternate versions, facts that may color one's perception of this music. Nonetheless, this is highly recommended for fans of new wave and synthpop music.

Bill Nelson - The Two-Fold Aspect of Everything 2xLP MediaFire

Franco Battiato - Clic LP [UK VERSION] (1974)

A big name in synth and avant-garde, Franco Battiato is a veteran in numerous forms of expression. He is perhaps best known for his first LP, Fetus, a cornerstone release for prog and synth-based music. Tonight, I share with you his fourth album, Clic, a mostly instrumental album touching on a variety of textures, sounds, themes, moods and interestingly an about face in songwriting. Franco's early work is often aligned with progressive-related genres, however this album branches out noticeably. Perhaps taking cues from Brian Eno (for what it's worth, Here Come the Warm Jets was released the same year) and other ambient artists active at the time, Franco uses a plethora of synths and drones to create tranquil atmospheres reminiscent of, well, 70s synth in general. He is not without his psych influence either, touching on psych-out themes throughout the only predominately vocalized track "No U Turn," which among its peculiar bursts of oddity features various operatic voices including his own crooning throughout the track. Apart from that, the album is overtly ambient in theme. Fans of current synth artists are sure to notice similarities here.

It should be duly noted that this is ripped from the UK version, that is the 1974 Island Records pressing. The original, Italian pressing it a great deal different from this one.

Franco Battiato - Clic LP MediaFire

Milkways - Milkways LP (1978)

Tonight, here is a real treat and one of my favorites: the sole LP of French space disco band Milkways. Disregarding tenets of corniness and evidently shirts as well, this mysterious trio, whose members go unnamed, composed these eight smooth and dreamy synth-based jams and drifted into the void. This is ripped from an original copy of the record, which was later repressed as "Galactic Reaction" in the early 80's. "Dance in the Milkway" and "Astroport" are definite standouts, but the album as a whole is a certified gem of the genre, which was as short-lived and niche-y as other obvious European subgenres. All in all, though, if you're a fan of synthesizer music. this is potentially a new favorite for you; regrettably, the specific instruments used on the record aren't listed anywhere. I am aware this has been blogged before, but I am hoping to expose this to an otherwise unsuspecting audience. Really, if you're reading this and don't already know what it is, I encourage you to give it at least one listen.

I should also note that while the last two tracks are tracks in and of themselves, it was difficult to discern when the tracks split. As such, I combined the two; you likely will be unable to tell the difference. Admittedly, though, this is just laziness: the length of both tracks are plastered all over the record.

Milkways - Milkways LP MediaFire

Peter Morris & Tom Stanswick - Time & Motion (1983)

Another Red Bus Music Library rarity. The dominating composer of these demonstrations is Peter Morris, but one Tom Stanswick provides tracks eighteen through twenty. This particular archive tractors us back to terrestrial habits with impellent themes of routine, nine-to-five and ephemeral time. No specific information could be located for either composers, although Mr. Morris may have been from Belgium and Mr. Stanswick apparently composed two other releases on the exponentially more popular Coloursound Library.

Peter Morris & Tom Stanswick - Time & Motion MediaFire

Alexander Goldscheider - Themes For a One Man Band Vol 1 (1983)

Taking a break from the deluge of punk records in the "to jam" pile to share this library synth obscurity. London's Red Bus Music Library (full name being the Red Bus Music Library Limited) were one of many mystery library labels from UK; a quick search turns up little specific information. However, this composer's identity is a little less dubious. Dr. Alexander Goldscheider is a composer from Czechoslovakia who popularized the use of synthesizers in that country during the late 1970's. What seems to be his first effort, Themes For a One Man Band Vol 1 precedes a semi-illustrious musical career, one in which Goldschieder cut various songs for use in film, television and radio broadcast. An example of his more popular work is below - a clip from a Czech hit-parade entitled Hitsarada:



This LP is a fine, comparatively less obscure example of European library synth. Its sub-title, if you cannot read it from the photo, says "Pop and classic images of space." And images they are, as Goldschieder lifts the listener through the multifaceted galaxy in a series of demonstrative compositions, propulsive as they are ethereal. Upbeat and occasionally sparse recordings for your next trip to Saturn.

(Do forgive an error in the tags - I tagged the date as 1986, when in fact this record was released in 1983.)

Alexander Goldscheider - Themes For a One Man Band Vol 1 MediaFire

Single Mary - 4 Song E.P. (1987)

A genuinely mysterious quintet from Eugene, Oregon, Single Mary self-released this aptly named four song EP in 1987. Simple punk songs with synth, saxophone and male-female vocals. A brief search came up with no information for this band. There are probably a couple hiccups in this rip somewhere, but it should be fine other than that.

Single Mary - 4 Song E.P. MediaFire

Secret Ties - Dancin' In My Sleep 7" (1986)

Happy October. Here's a great synth-ridden, corny disco tune from 1986 on Nightwave Records, a small Hollywood-based label. Female-fronted with male backups, the single begins with a wobbly a cappella, then busts in with the keyboard beats complete with predictable poppy hooks. The flip is a lot slower, sexier and soulful, not to mention a lot less dance-y than the single. A cool single for fans of later disco stuff, especially the obscure side of space disco. I couldn't find a thing on this band, so someone should fill me in!

Secret Ties - Dancin' In My Sleep 7" MediaFire