Jo Squillo Eletrix - Avventurieri (Remix Dance Version)

 

Jo Squillo started out making riot grrrl teen punk, but like many others also chose to become part of the 80's pop scene. As Jo Squillo Eletrix she released the heavy synth tune Avventurieri in 1983 and the year after a 12" with two new versions of the song was released. This is a beautiful produced song with almost plaintive vocals, even though I have no idea of what is it about.


Jo Squillo Eletrix - Avventurieri (Remix Dance Version)

Azul Y Negro - Mar De La Tranquilidad

Spanish Azul Y Negro made this in 1982, it's synthpop with a balearic chilled vibe. Produced by Julián Ruiz and written by Joaquín Montoya & Julián Ruiz. 

Azul Y Negro - Mar De La Tranquilidad

London Aircraaft - Rocket In My Pocket

London Aircraaft is some kind of side project by brilliant Kurt Hauenstein of Supermax fame and a true pioneer on the cosmic disco scene, who unfortunately passed away just a couple of weeks ago. Actually London Aircraaft was created to get out of some record deal, and one of the few singles they released was a "version" of Love Machine. Here's a short interview with a very brief Kurt Hauenstein.
This song is quite a sleazy dub-pop anthem, my favourite moment is when the synth kicks in around the 2 minute mark.


London Aircraaft - Rocket In My Pocket

Do Piano - Again

 

Heavy kicks and mid-eighties "poetry" makes this song by Do Piano, a perfect weekend starter. Still not sure about the gender of Do Piano, seems to be some discussions about it on the web. Pretty sure the person in the video is female though.

Do Piano - Again

Wet - That's the Game

Belgian synth-pop from 83 by Wet. Music for a Friday night out


Wet - That's the Game

Wally Badarou

Figured it was time to add one of my favourite groove makers, Wally Badarou. As a synthesiser specialist, Wallys keyboard is to be heard on albums by artists like Herbie Hancock and Talking Heads, just to name a few. But my favourite work has to be his solo instrumental album Echoes from 1983. It features a wide range of perfect synth grooves, and I think the studio sessions in Bahamas must have given some tropical inspiration too.
Check out this great interview with the man himself.


Wally Badarou - Hi-Life


Wally Badarou - Endless Race

Ministry - Primental

Before Ministry went heavy.

Ministry - Primental

Gabi Delgado - History Of A Kiss

 

Gabi Delgado was the singer in DAF, the famous German NDW band. In 1983 he made a solo album called "Mistress", an album filled with synthesized steel drums and funky basslines. Very cyber-exotic indeed.


Gabi Delgado - Histroy Of A Kiss

Vangelis - Dervish D

Greek composer "Vangelis" is widely known for is movie score for the film "Chariots of Fire" and his scores for "Blade Runner". This however is from the ablum "Spiral", which in my opinion is his best work. Far more danceable and a club hit for the likes of cosmic dj Daniele Baldelli - Whatch him spin the record at a club


Vangelis - Dervish D

Johnny Yesno

Kenji Endo

Tokyo, Japan 1978

Edgar Froese

ZDF Sommer Hitparade

Romanelli - Connecting Flights

Dreamlike land

This here is probably one of my favourites right now. Richard Schneider Jr. from Germany made this warm, dreamy and latin inspired record, "Dreamlike Land", back in 1977. Some songs has spacey synth, groovy bass and long guitar solos, others has latin inspired percussion and jazz smoothing grooves that will bring you straight to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Perfect for these early days of fall, and this years last warm sunbeams.
I will only post a couple of songs from the record, but the whole LP is truly great.

Richard Schneider Jr. - High
Richard Schenider Jr. - Samba-Trip
Richard Schneider Jr. - Hello Beach Girls