Versions, versions

28 April, 202328 April, 2023

Kraftwerk ‘Radioactivity’ US 12″ single (Elektra, 0-66486, 1991)

The sleekly re-engineered and re-envisioned ‘Radioactivity’ was a particular standout track from Kraftwerk’s 1991 album ‘The Mix’ and so it was an obvious choice for a single release. In the band’s homeland of Germany and European territories 7”, 12” and CD single editions were issued with mixes by François Kevorkian on the A side and William Orbit on the reverse. (The UK and France also got cassette single formats too.) In both cases, 7” and longer 12” remixes were produced. In the case of the 7” mixes, German language and English language mixes were issued. The 12” mixes were only in English language variations however.

Kraftwerk 'Radioactivity' 1991 US 12" single, front cover design — ^ Kraftwerk ‘Radioactivity’ 1991 US 12″ single, front cover design

There was one more mix that managed to see light of day though and that is the ‘William Orbit Hardcore’ Mix’ that was only ever issued at the time on this US 12” single, making it an attractive item to track down on import on my side of the ocean.
Continue reading “Kraftwerk ‘Radioactivity’ US 12″ single (Elektra, 0-66486, 1991)”

7 April, 20237 April, 2023

David Sylvian compilations across the years – Part 3

The fourth, and to date last, of the main David Sylvian related compilations featured in this series – two versions, side-by-side, of the ‘Sleepwalkers’ CD, which compiles collaborations with other artists from the early 2000s onwards.

Side-by-side David Sylvian 'Sleepwalkers' CDs - original (left) and re-issue (right) - front cover designs — ^ Side-by-side David Sylvian ‘Sleepwalkers’ CDs – 2010 original (left) and 2022 re-issue (right) – front cover designs

First released in 2010, there was a re-mastered version in 2022 and on this occasion a micro-site to promote the 2022 release (an updated variant of the page for the original September 2010 release) presents some very useful detail spanning both versions. The notes from the site nicely encapsulates the spirit behind the compilation with the following summary;

in the 00s, DAVID SYLVIAN produced two of his strongest and most solitary statements, BLEMISH and MANAFON. but those records don’t tell the whole story. during that the same period, SYLVIAN created an alternate body of work: a series of collaborations and side projects with leading talents of pop and improv, electronic and contemporary classical music. the best of these recordings are gathered here on SLEEPWALKERS, meticulously sequenced and remixed: the fruits of one-off meetings and lifelong partnerships, they jump from bliss to intrigue, romance to sensuality, as arch experiments lead into the lushest pop.

The compilation isn’t a be all and end all – David Sylvian has collaborated on many other occasions not compiled here and in some cases the tracks selected provides a taster of further work that can be sought out (e.g. the Nine Horses and Tweaker works).

Nevertheless, let’s take a look at the compilation to hand and the variants between the two editions. Continue reading “David Sylvian compilations across the years – Part 3”

21 March, 202325 March, 2023

David Sylvian compilations across the years – Part 2

A Victim Of Stars (2CD digipak edition)

Winding on a decade from the end of Sylvian’s deal with Virgin, 2012 saw a new compilation to follow-on from those two compilations detailed in Part 1 of this post. This new compilation was ‘A Victim Of Stars’ and it gathered together a wide variety of material that spanned both Sylvian’s Virgin Records and Samadhi Sound eras, and encompassed not only solo material but stretched back a far as late period Japan, the Rain Tree crow reunion as well as many collaborations along the way.

David Sylvian - 'A Victim Of Stars' UK/EU 2xCD - front cover — ^ David Sylvian – ‘A Victim Of Stars’ UK/EU 2xCD – front cover

What is/was unique to this compilation?

At the time of release, ‘What’s Your Gravity?’ was a new track exclusive to this compilation. It was subsequently released a year later in 2013 as one side of a 10″ vinyl single (which is impossibly rare and hard to find now) paired with ‘Do You Know Me Now?’. Other than that, it appears that all other tracks were previously released in one form or another beforehand. Continue reading “David Sylvian compilations across the years – Part 2”

28 February, 202326 February, 2023

The Sisterhood – ‘Gift’ UK re-issue CD (Cadiz Music, CADIZCD248, 2023)

A previous post looked at the opening salvo from The Sisterhood, the ‘Giving Ground’ single released in early 1986. That same year the full on attack in the form of ‘Gift’ was released in the summer months. It has now returned to active duty with a long-promised re-release on CD, after many, many years in the wilderness.

Continue reading “The Sisterhood – ‘Gift’ UK re-issue CD (Cadiz Music, CADIZCD248, 2023)”

14 January, 202314 January, 2023

Tones On Tail – ‘Weird Pop’ UK/US compilation album (Beggars Banquet, BBQLP 2081, 2011)

This is the most recent release in the line of Tones On Tail compilations that have emerged over the years, each of which have somehow or other managed to cast about in the rather slim collection of the band’s recorded material to draw from and repackage into something of appeal. This time out, the draw includes some previously unreleased versions which have been rooted out from the archives, some new sleevenotes from the ever accurate and illuminating Bauhaus archivist Andrew J Brooksbank, and detailed musician/instrument credits for each track (a first).

A vinyl only release in physical format, it wasn’t around for long and commands high figures on the second-hand market now, so if the unreleased versions sound tempting then your best bet is to take a look at one of the digital download vendors in the first instance.

Tones On Tail - 'Weird pop' compilation LP front cover design — ^ Tones On Tail – ‘Weird pop’ compilation LP front cover design – design by Glenn Campling

Those otherwise unavailable versions to be found on here for the first time are… Continue reading “Tones On Tail – ‘Weird Pop’ UK/US compilation album (Beggars Banquet, BBQLP 2081, 2011)”