The Outer Edge Germany Vinyl & CDs

Review: The Outer Edge discs into the P.A.P. archives to unearth a previously unreleased electro, wave and proto-techno tune from Art P. The track was recorded in 1982 as a demo cassette for radio and has political lyrics pertaining to Genscher, a long-time Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice Chancellor of Germany. It never got released or else it might have been considered one of the earliest techno tunes with its punchy 808 rhythms and bending synth bass. Classic minimal synthwave tune 'Der bose Osten' by the associated band project Die Synthetische Republik also appears on the other side of this limited split 12" as an extended mix

Review: DJ Scientist aka John Raincoatman's Berlin-baed The Outer Edge label has got another sensational Art Programming release on its hands here. Originally this was the last track on their self-titled 1983 cassette only album on the P.A.P. label. It's basically unknown because it never landed on wax but had it done it would no double be a game changing classic. It's an eight minute opus driven by exhilarating electro breaks and laden with drums and effects that echo the sounds of Detroit. It's a proto-techno track straight out of Bremen that still sounds unique and futuristic today.

Review: A long-overdue revival of an underground German gem from 1984, Jurgen Grah and Markus Kammann crafted a sound that fused early new beat, synth-pop and electro with a sharp sense of groove. Collage's 'Mit Den Puppen Tanzen' resurfaces as making it a hidden treasure for fans of forward-thinking dance music. The title track is a sleek blend of disco and electro, layering pulsating synths over a club-ready rhythm that still feels ahead of its time. 'Schwarze Nacht' twists post-disco elements into something funkier, reinterpreting familiar grooves with fresh energy. 'Harter Film' leans further into an edgy new wave sound, its electro beat driving a tense yet undeniably danceable atmosphere. Balancing underground cool with accessible hooks, this is a record that effortlessly bridged electronic experimentation and dancefloor appeal. A vital listen for those who appreciate the history of an exciting time between post-disco, house music and the 80s new wave sound.

Review: DJ Scientist aka John Raincoatman is the German record collector behind the Outer Edge label. This time he welcomes Ghia for a second outing following the sold out and hugely desirable first one. This one comes in the form of a full length album featuring some previously unissued songs and lots of the group's signature downtempo synth pop sounds. They are soothing, lush and soulful, with delicate female vocals over sweet and innocent 80s keys and drum sounds. Perfectly steamy and sexy for slow dancing or lazy afternoons.

Review: The Outer Edge rounds off their series reworking tracks from the archive of lesser-known German 80s outfit Ghia. This time round, they're offering re-imaginations of an instrumental synth-funk track first featured on last year's Don't Look LP, 'Message From The Other Side'. This time round, the band has recruited vocalist Adrian Prestel and re-imagined it as colourful and authentic synth-number simply titled 'The Other Side'. As well as a solid instrumental take, we're also treated to a superb Marian Tone take which blends bits of the 1985 demo with elements of the 2023 re-recording. Elsewhere, there are also three takes on previous single 'Out of Luck': squelchy and crunchy neo-boogie vocal and instrumental versions courtesy of DJ Friction (the disco one, not the d&b producer of the same name) and a more low-slung, dub disco style instrumental revision by Soundrays.

Review: Earlier this year, DJ Scientist stumbled upon another early Ghia composition tucked away in the depths of a master tape. It was a treasure too precious to remain unheard. Sadly, the original track couldn't see the light of day due to sound quality and issues with the original vocals. To make matters more disappointing, no instrumental version survived. Thus, the only way to share this catchy boogie funk track with the world was to recreate it from scratch. And so, the Ghia saga unfolds once more, but in this chapter, there's a new and unique twist. 'Out Of Luck' draws its roots from the aforementioned lost track, originally composed by the group in 1985. This time, however, the song has been expertly reworked by Marian Tone, with new vocals by Adriano Prestel. The outcome? Quite possibly one of the smoothest and most refreshing modern funk tunes you'll hear this year.

Review: A genius firestarter of jazz-funk and disco, Hudson People was a short-lived alias and band/group project of producer Reginald Derrick Hudson. Though Hudson's credits stretch way back to 1979, Backatcha Records recently hosted a brilliant recent record by Johnny Davis, 'Life's A Party/Expand Your Mind', with Hudson on co-prod and rights-holding. Signalling the first stirrings of a potential comeback, The Outer Edge now reissue Hudson People's most galvanic, debut singular moment, 'Trip To Your Mind', in the form of two xtra-special hi-NRG remixes. Though it hardly blew Hudson as an artist, the track has since been recognised as an originator of the Brit-funk genre. But it's the disco edge that really cuts into us here. LTJ Xperience brings Hispano-disco delight to a dubby "freakout", as the lyrics on the original intone, while Delfonic's version is relatively horn-led, boxy, kettle-drumming, terrific.

Review: The Outer Edge reckons that this first release on their label is one of "the rarest and simultaneously best-recorded independently released German new wave singles in history." Bold words, but probably not far wrong. 80s outfit Total wrote it as the first and title single for an album deal they signed. It's a killer cut with hints of 'The Message''s hip-hop rhythm and alluring female vocals over a lush bassline from the Jupiter 8 keyboard and DMX drum machine funk driving it along at such an inviting mid-tempo. The withering cosmic keys add extra spacey goodness and here it comes with a couple of alternative mixes, though the OG is really the one.