Sunday, September 16, 2007

Leisure Process

Leisure Process was a short lived New Wave duo comprised of sax player Gary Barnacle and singer Ross Middleton. Gary Barnacle was a saxophonist and brass instrument arranger primarily noted for session work, during the 1980's, with a large number of popular music acts including Kim Wilde, Visage, Dalek I Love You and Level 42. Ross Middleton was a member of the UK outfit Positive Noise before he teamed up with Barnacle.

Together they formed Leisure Process in 1981. Leisure Process was produced by Marin Rushent and it released several singles in 1982 and 1983 but never managed to record an album. Even though they provided similar sound to some of the popular groups at that time, they remained as an 80’s obscurity. Their sound was a synthetic with Middleton’s manic vocals and Barnacle’s excellent sax solos. At some points it reminded of Human League especially when you compare “Love Action” with “Love Cascade”.

After working with a line up of great artists Barnacle released a solo album Paradise in 2002.Here are some acts for whom Barnacle has contributed session work.
M-"Pop Muzik" (1979)
Positive Noise- Heart Of Darkness (1981)
Kim Wilde- Kim Wilde- "2 6 5 8 0" (1981)
Level 42-Level 42- "Heathrow" (1981)
The Clash- Combat Rock- "Sean Flynn" (1982)
Visage-"Night Train" (1982)
Elvis Costello & The Attractions- "Party Party" (1982)
Kim Wilde- Select- "Action City" (1982)
Visage – The Anvil (1982)
Kim Wilde- Catch As Catch Can- "Love Blonde" (1983)
Dalek I Love You- Dalek I Love You- "Lust", "12 Hours of Blues" (1983)
Soft Cell- This Last Night In Sodom (1984)
Lloyd Cole & The Commotions- Lost Weekend- "Lost Weekend" (1985)
The Damned- Phantasmagoria (1985)
The Dream Academy- The Dream Academy- "The Edge of Forever" (1985)
Level 42- World Machine (1985)
David Bowie- "Absolute Beginners" (1986)
Pet Shop Boys- Disco- "Suburbia" (1986)
Erasure- Wonderland- "Pistol" (1986)
Swing Out Sister- It’s Better To Travel (1987)
The Communards- Red- "For A Friend" (1987)
Level 42- Running in The Family- "Lessons in Love" (1987)
Rick Astley- Hold Me In Your Arms (1988)
Karel Fialka- Human Animal (1988)
Paul Hardcastle- No Winners- "Walk on the Light" (1988)
Hothouse Flowers- People (1988)
The Jeremy Days- The Jermey Days (1988)
Yazz – Wanted- "Fine Time" (1988)
The Beautiful South- Welcome To The Beautiful South (1989)
Bjork- Debut (1993)


Thursday, September 13, 2007

Annie Lennox- Songs of Mass Destruction

'Songs of Mass Destruction' is the title of the fourth studio album by Annie Lennox. The release date is currently scheduled for October 1, 2007, in the UK and October 2, 2007, in the US.
On August 15, 2007, the first single, "Dark Road", appeared on Annie Lennox's MySpace page. "Dark Road" will be released on September 24, and the second single "Sing" will be released on December 3, 2007.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Instant Hit: Kuruku- Just A Cat

Kuruki, a minimal wave project, emerged as a collaboration between Ghent-based musician Gerry D'Haeyer and Alain Bureau. The Belgian duo left a mark in the music scene with several singles and an LP during the early 1980's. Among their notable releases, "Just a Cat" stands out as their powerful and catchy second single, hitting the airwaves in 1983. The track showcased Kuruki's ability to create compelling and memorable sounds within the minimal wave genre during that era.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

The Beloved

The Beloved was a British music group which was formed in the mid 80’s. Before becoming the Beloved they went under the name The Journey Through which symbolically represented the musical journey which will follow throughout the years by transforming their sound from Post Punk psychedelia to electro pop.

In 1983, Jon Marsh placed an advert in the music press which read as follows:
"I am Jon Marsh, founder member of the Beloved. Should you too wish to do something gorgeous, meet me in exactly three year's time at exactly 11am in Diana's Diner, or site thereof, Covent Garden, London, WC2."
At the meeting in 1986, Cambridge (Jesus, mathematics) graduate Steve Waddington was present and the two formed the core, with Tim Havard and Guy Gousden completing the lineup. In 1986, the Beloved issued their first single, "A Hundred Words" a series of releases (including the EP 'Happy Now', the double A-sided single "Surprise Me"/"Forever Dancing" and the 1987 compilations
 'Where It Is' followed, but none garnered any significant critical or commercial success. Consequently, Gousden and Havard exited in 1987.
By 1993, Waddington left the group and was replaced by Jon Marsh's wife Helena, who was working as a purchaser for the Parisian fashion house Comme des Garçons, for the album Conscience. The band faced some controversy for the video of the single "Sweet Harmony" which consisted of a naked Marsh among a group of women, also naked (although it was shot and edited so as not to show anything which might cause it to be censored).After another three-year absence, they released X, a foray back into club culture.

Beloved's singles continue to be remixed and the band has not been formally wound up, but Jon Marsh has for some ten years been concentrating on his flourishing career as a club dj, as well as the raising of his young family. However, a new collaboration with Steve Waddington is reportedly in the works, and the Beloved has plans for a new album release some time in 2007.

The line up changes:
1984 -1987:
Jon Marsh - Steve Waddington - Tim Harvard - Guy Gausden

1987 - 1990:
Jon Marsh - Steve Waddington

1992 - ... :
Jon Marsh - Helena Marsh
The source:
http://www.thebeloved.com/

Monday, September 3, 2007

Instant Hit: Solid Space- A Darkness In My Soul

Solid Space was a brief yet influential British act that released a seminal album in the early 1980s. Their music can be described as catchy, well-composed, intergalactic DIY bedroom pop. One of their standout tracks is "A Darkness in my Soul." Despite their short-lived tenure, their album has left a lasting impact and was reissued thirty years after its original release, marking its first appearance on CD. In 2010, the song was covered by Led Er Est, further showcasing its enduring appeal. Fans can find support for this artist on their Facebook page.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Intaferon

Intaferon were an English Pop/rock duo consisting of Simon Fellowes and Simon Gillham. They were signed to Chrysalis Records. The duo are best known for “Get Out of London”. They released two more singles ("Steamhammer Sam" and "Baby Pain"), but never released an album. Their song, "Get Out of London" was featured in the 2001 Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen movie Winning London. Singles were often featured on the channel four show 'Max Headroom'



Friday, August 17, 2007

Roisin Murphy- Overpowered

'Overpowered' is the title of the second solo album by former Moloko vocalist Róisín Murphy. It will be released in her native Ireland on October 12 followed by scheduled for release in the UK and rest of Europe on October 15, 2007. The album was preceded by the single of the same title on July 9, 2007. Murphy's official webpage announced on Friday July 6, 2007 that the song "Overpowered" would not be chart eligible but instead be used as a introduction-single for her start at EMI. This means that the first physical single release from 'Overpowered' will be the song "Let Me Know".

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