Category: Small objects of desire

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John Foxx compilations across the years Part 7

2014 saw the release of the ‘Virgin Years 1980-1985’ CD boxed set which gathered up most of John Foxx’s work recorded for Virgin Records. As well as individual discs for the four principal albums recorded during the period it contained a fifth disc that compiled a selection of waifs and strays of B-sides and outtake. This compilation was titled ‘Fusion/Fission’ (which had originally been the tithe intended for 1980’s ’Metamatic’, as it happens). This compilation has never been issued separately and is only obtainable as part of the box set, which originally had a release date of 21st July 2014 to be precise, but was actually available from Monday 23rd June 2014 due to earlier than anticipated manufacturing and delivery.

John Foxx - 'The Virgin Years' CD box set (front box design)
^ John Foxx – ‘The Virgin Years 1980-1985’ CD box set (front box design)

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Talking Heads – ‘Take Me To The River’ / ‘Psycho Killer’ UK cassingle (Sire, SPC 9, 1981)

This curious little release was issued as part of a series cassette format singles of WEA label artists, such as Gary Numan and Tubeway Army as featured in a pervious post. Packaged in cute little flip-top box packs, the series shared a common theme of design/layout and would pair two the best tracks by each of the artists chosen. As well as this Talking Heads release, the series featured The Pretenders (two releases, no less), Angelic Upstarts, Rezillos, Tubeway Army, The Ramones, Gary Numan, Saxon and finally Jane Birkin.

Talking Heads - 'Take Me To The River' / 'Psycho Killer' 1981 UK Cassingle - flip-top pack front
^ Talking Heads – ‘Take Me To The River’ / ‘Psycho Killer’ 1981 UK Cassingle – flip-top pack front

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Thomas Leer – ‘4 Movements’ UK 12″ EP (Cherry Red, 12 Cherry 28, 1981)

‘4 Movements’ is a four track 12″ EP from 1981 on Cherry Red records, the second solo release by Thomas, following some time after his initial self-released debut 7″ single, ‘Private Plane / International’ and after his joint LP recorded with Robert Rental, ‘The Bridge’.

Thomas Leer - 'Four Movements' UK 12" EP - front sleeve design
^ Thomas Leer – ‘Four Movements’ UK 12″ EP – front sleeve design

The ‘4 Movements’ 12″ EP had been my entry point into all things Thomas Leer – specifically, the track ‘‘Tight As A Drum’, which I had heard played on the BBC Radio 1 John Peel show one night, August 1981 (I think). It sounded amazing – such a busy, unique sound and structure, its no surprise that that track in particular has had something of a renaissance by its inclusion on various post-punk compilations over the years. The sound has movement alright – like it’s been plugged into the voltage and animated into life as some form of echoing dub that is both coming and going at the same time. Continue reading “Thomas Leer – ‘4 Movements’ UK 12″ EP (Cherry Red, 12 Cherry 28, 1981)”

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

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:

  1. Tour De France (Long Version) (6’30”)

Side Two:

  1. Tour De France (3’00”) (NB: This was the same mix as on the A side of the 1983 UK 7” single too.)
  2. 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
^ Kraftwerk – ‘Tour de France’ 1983 UK cassette single front cover design

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Drinking Electricity ‘Subliminal’ / ‘Random Particles’ UK 7″ double-A side single (Survival, SUR001, 1981)

Once more a post on the mysterious Drinking Electricity. Their first few single releases were on the Pop:Aural label, (including the previously featured ‘Cruising Missiles’ and ‘Shake Some Action’) but by the time of this – their fourth 7” single – the band had parted company with Bob Last and Hilary Morrison’s label and with this release would debut their very own label, Survival Records.

Drinking Electricity 'Subliminal' / 'Random Particles' UK 7" double-A side single - 'Subliminal' side
^ Drinking Electricity ‘Subliminal’ / ‘Random Particles’ UK 7″ double-A side single – ‘Subliminal’ side

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