Secession - The Magician (Extended Re-mix) 12"

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Secession - Michael 12"

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Secession - Promise (Dance Mix) 12"

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Secession - Radioland 12"

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Secession - Sneakyville (Extended Mix) 12"

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Secession - Touch (Part 3/Part 4) 12"

What are the ingredients of a successful synthpop recipe? Danceable rhythms, deep dark voice and catchy melodies. That's what Secession is all about. If you happen to love Depeche Mode, Camouflage and Red Flag, I strongly recommend all their singles!

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Creatures - Japan (Long Version) 12"

Some label them as New Wave, some as Italo-disco but to make it simple I'll just categorize them as good music, period. Again, no info about the band. All I know is they were Italian synthpop group formed and became slightly known in Europe and some part in Asia, specifically the Philippines, during the eighties. Not to be mistaken with Siouxie Sioux's splinter group The Creatures, this group had caught my attention with their captivating bass line similar to Big Supreme's Don't Walk, Heaven 17's Let Me Go or Alphaville's Big In Japan.

B-Movie - Remembrance Day 12"

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

B-Movie - A Letter From Afar 12"

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

B-Movie - Switch On Switch Off 12"

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

B-Movie - Nowhere Girl 12"

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

B-Movie - Polar Opposites 12"

Not so popular song by Some Bizarre's phenomenal band, B-Movie. With the perfect fusion of guitar and synthesizer, not too many bands in the post-punk era can predominate such skills with the exception of course of B-Movie. Steve Hovington's deep, reverberating voice who can be easily mistaken to Dave Gahan's of Depeche Mode, has what it takes to facade this exceptional band.

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Cola Boy - 7 Ways To Love 12"

Awesome track from Saint Etienne's alter ego, Cola Boy. This song were huge in UK during the early nineties. As a rule of thumb if they were never big in USA, they are not considered mainstream in my book and they can be part of my blog! It would have been a hit though, its catchy, energetic and has the acid house feel to it. This song would have ruled the american night clubs. If Republica and The Other Two have fascinated you, this is a guaranteed hit in your mp3 collection!

Link removed per rights owner request.

Camouflage - That Smiling Face 12"

One of my all-time favorite German synth-band, Camouflage had been making hit after hit (atleast in my own standard) of songs throughout their career and this was no exception! When you think of Camouflage you think of the one hit wonder who have put The Great Commandment on top of the chart, but there's more to them than meets the eye (or should I say ears?). Though that song was their foundation of success, the band's effort can be much summarized through this song. A perfect blend of fine rhythm and melody, its for sure to capture the heart of every electronic music enthusiast. Remixed by one of the most accomplished remixer of the 80s, Justin Strauss, who was notable for remixing songs of Marc Almond, Information Society, Basia and others too many to mention, had done a remarkable job on this twelve incher!

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

U-Bahn X - Young Hearts Of Europe 12"

Great songs from this obscure band U-Bahn X. I assume they are Germans because of the name but I could be wrong. These synth-driven songs got the unique arrangements guaranteed to please you ears. Their music is somewhat similar to Clan Of Xymox and early Ministry. Another hidden minimal band revealed!

Tracks:

1. Young Hearts Of Europe (Essential Mega Mix)
2. Young Hearts Of Europe (Valkyrie Mega Mix)
3. Kiss Of Death (Punishment Mix)

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Troy Tate - Love Is (Dance Mix) 12"

Known as the producer who got fired by The Smiths, Troy Tate has this infamous reputation to many who hardly know him. Morrissey and the gang may had this eclectic perception on how they should sound but if you try to listen to Troy's unreleased works with The Smiths you would realize how brilliant he was as a producer (I found this really informative website of Troy Tate's session with The Smiths mp3s at http://captainsdead.com/the-smiths-troy-tate-sessions.html). This 12" single contains the immortal Love Is (Dance Mix) that confirms how talented Troy Tate is as song writer and musician.

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Xymox AKA Clan Of Xymox - A Day 12"

Xymox or Clan Of Xymox, whichever you prefer, have really used their arpeggiator to their advantage to produce fantastic danceable tracks. They have mastered the art of synthesizer music without sounding too sell-out. As a matter of fact they have kept their reputation of being dark and sub-cultured from the time they started to the present. What do you expect, they belong to this elite group of 4AD artists, Cocteau Twins, Bauhaus, Frazier Chorus, Xmal Deutschland, Pixies, Pale Saints, Lush, Modern English and the list goes on. For me, this 12" is an A side on both sides because both songs, A Day and Stranger, are equally phenomenal. One thing I also admire about this single is its unique sleeve artwork created by 23 Envelope, a 4AD resident.

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Celebrate The Nun - Will You Be There 12"

Now I'm feeling synthpop. I may not be purist unlike many of us but I do have pure passion for good music. Killer track from the not so much celebrated band of the late eighties, Celebrate The Nun. Call them synthpopers, minimalist, technopopers, call them whatever you want but these guys make music that make sense! CTN's tunes can be compared to Enigma Records or Jon St. James produced artists, Anything Box, Red Flag and SSQ. They sounded very much like Depeche Mode too, which is no surprise considering DM as one of the blueprints of modern electronic melody makers (Cetu Javu, Secession, Camouflage and the likes).

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Krew - Paper Heroes (Extended Mix) 12"

Another obscure synthpop!

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

This Final Frame - The Mask 7"

I got this record as a freebie from a british friend whom I've met online several years ago. His name is Chris Curry, who also is a friend of the band and Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (his name is on the credit on the back cover of this record). This 7" came along with mixed tape of forgotten/unknown bands from the eighties which includes Hambi And The Dance, The Listening Pool (OMD side project), John Foxx and etc. This song, The Mask, is minimal at its best! Listening to this will make you wonder why bands like this never made it big.

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]