May 2024

What a complicated tale there is to Kraftwerk’s ‘Tour de France’ single. So many versions! This post takes a brief dip into the story to focus on only one release, the rather novel cassette single edition that came out in the UK for the single’s original release in 1983. The mixes of the song featured on this cassingle mirror those to be found on the original 1983 UK 12” single, these being;

Side One:

Tour De France (Long Version) (6’30”)

Side Two:

Tour De France (3’00”) (NB: This was the same mix as on the A side of the 1983 UK 7” single too.)
Tour De France 2è Étape (2’40”)

Now then, it’s important to point out from the off that the first two tracks on this release are the French language versions. The third track – ‘Tour de France 2è Étape’ – is listed as ‘Tour de France’ (Version) on the 12” record label and cassette shell instead, for some odd reason. This 2è Étape mix is NOT the same as the mix that was on the B side of the 1983 7” UK single, despite having a similar duration of 2’40”. The 7” B side is a genuine, shorter instrumental mix whereas ‘Tour de France 2è Étape’ doesn’t really feature the music and is more of an electronic percussion and effects workout.

^ Kraftwerk – ‘Tour de France’ 1983 UK cassette single front cover design

Continue reading “Kraftwerk – ‘Tour de France’ UK cassette single (EMI, TC-EMI 5413, 1983)”

Three years on from the previous compilation release, ‘Metatronic’, 2013’s ‘Metadelic’ was very much a companion piece that chose to focus on the ‘warmer’ periods of John’s solo material, seemingly psychedelic infused as opposed to the more influential, cold and dystopian works his solo work started off with (and would revisit later), and managed to include some previously unreleased exclusives, as well as bring some video materials back into circulation. Or as Foxx describes it in the sleevenotes; “The cyber-punk they called John Foxx’ has dissolved a little and defrosted. He has become healthy and splendored, drifting free.”

John Foxx 'Metadelic' CD front case design — ^ John Foxx ‘Metadelic’ CD front case design

Continue reading “John Foxx compilations across the years Part 6”