Back catalogue: Coldwave/Synth

Review: German trio Alphaville saw huge success with their 1984 debut album Forever Young. Two years later they set out to repeat the trick with Afternoons in Utopia. They somewhat succeed, too, as the long player reached the Top 20 in five different countries around Europe and spend the big hits 'Dance With Me,' 'Universal Daddy' and 'Jerusalem'. Now, for the first time ever, the record is repressed under the supervision of founding members Marian Gold and Bernhard Lloyd. The deluxe edition includes new photographs and sleeve notes as well as all the big musical moments.

Review: Just weeks after legendary 1980s pop manager Tom Watkins passed away, we're treated to a bumper retrospective from one of his most successful acts: Bros. The three discs tell the story of their late '80s/early '90s heyday, gathering together single versions of their mega hits (the glossy Stock, Aitken & Waterman style synth-pop pf "When Will I Be Famous?", "I Owe You Nothing" and "I Quit" for example), album tracks, B-sides and a smattering of 12" remixes from some notable producers. These include a funky Chicago house revision of "Madly In Love" by "Promised Land" producer Joe Smooth, a chunky, head-nodding revision of the New Jack Swing influenced "Drop The Boy" by Shep Pettibone that features some killer drum edits, and an acapella of "When Will I Be Famous?".

Review: Best known as a collaborator and co-writer on the legendary John Carpenter's recent Halloween score - as well as his Lost Themes and Anthology albums - Daniel Davies now presents his debut album on Kent based imprint Burning Witches. Featured on this eight track LP is a captivating imaginary soundtrack: otherworldly instrumentals that expand on the British-American musician's distinct talent for wringing modernistic soundscapes from vintage synths. It brings to mind the classic synthesized scores of the '70s and '80s. In addition to his work with Carpenter (his godfather), Davies is known for his work with the rock bands Year Long Disaster, Karma to Burn and CKY.

Review: Emotional Response welcome Detroit's Fuxa to the label with a mini-album that takes their trademark pyschedelic guitar and synth instrumental rock and showcases the more spiritual and ethereal creativity running within. Specially curated from Fuxa's two recent digital only albums - "Dirty D" and "Frequencies for Physical, Mental and Spiritual Healing" - this special 8 track selection sees each album represented on one side of vinyl. Highlighting band leader Randall Neimann's talent, a mastery of the studio that creates a wall of (mellow) sound that envelops and encases in equal measure. While very much Randall's band, the colloborative nature of the project sees numurous artists appear, with members from Mazzy Star, Add N To (X), Dean & Britta, Spiritualized and founding member Ryan Anderson all providing willing support to seek his primal sound. Noteworthy too is his first appearance as lead vocalist. It is the uplifting to hear his voice on the celebratory Shout Out Loud, the paean of Dream (Don't Give Up) and finally the blissedout-surf-psychedelia of Amen. Dirty Frequencies is a welcome departure for the label, a pyschedelic turn in the mold of the Nick Nicely (ERS005) release, but all the better for it because these sounds and ideas deserve to be heard. An inner trip yes, but really a celebration of the deeper part of the soul - a way to connect.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight tear and creasing to corner of outer sleeve, also the record has light surface marks/smudges, but otherwise in excellent working condition***

Review: ***B-STOCK: Record has light surface marks/scratches with split/torn spine of outer sleeve, but otherwise in perfect working order***


On most occasions, the Scottish artist Robert Rental (1952-2000) worked with hometown friend Thomas Leer (Act/Pressure) or Mute Records' Daniel Miller in studios, but these rough sketches were recorded at a council flat in Battersea circa 1980 - laying unheard for years amongst his family's treasured possessions. Featured on Different Voices For You Different Colours For Me are rare perspectives of the British post punk icon's solo work. Optimo's JD Twitch states that 'in this current era where so much music is so completely focused on the production.. it's a pleasant shock to discover that a forgotten tape from nearly 40 years ago can be the freshest and most refreshing sounding thing ever.'

Review: Cache-Cache head honchos Andy Votel and Doug Shipton compile, in their words: unreleased, unknown and unwanted reluctant punk and snide synth pop. Well then: '70s porn funk merges with Latin exotica on Philippe Brejean's "Hilling Car" while Melbourne cosmic travellers Cybotron (yes you heard right, Juan Atkins this 'aint!) traverse the asteroid belt on "Sweet 16/9th Floor". There's more rare gems worth checking. Try Plastiktanz, who released their one and only 12" in 1981 and the curious minimal synth jam "Mir Geht Es Danke Gut" is taken from this. Don Gere, he of Werewolves On Wheels OST (another re-issue on Finders Keepers) goes all guns blazing on the psych rock of "There's A Star In You" while Bernard Szajner aka Zed, (recently rediscovered on Agoria's InFine imprint also) gives us the epic cosmic synth journey of "The Premen" too. There's a lot to get through here and it's all rather curious we must say. Highly recommended.