Twenty Four (24) tracks with artists starting with L. Keep or dump it is up to you.
La Danza Moderna – Nightflight For Asia
From 1983 and off the LP “Main Theme” we find stuff from Netherlands band , La Danza Moderna.
Wijnand Bolle – Bass
Robby Perkussy – Drums
Roel Schiethart – Vocals
Mieke Vaas – Keyboards
Richard Tettero – Guitar, Vocals
Jangle guitars, fretless bass and Space synths and a warble lead vocals – could be current the production is that good.
La Nuit – Poison
Retro sounding and a definite obsession with synth sounds from the early 80’s is this from German duo (Detlev Braun and Sanne) from 1987.
A very scratchy guitar hits some chords but it is all very analogue. From the EP “Faith”
Lama – Nineteen Ninety Three
Italo Disco from 1983 and it is an exceptional track. A one off track from Celso Valli (A Katmandu Production) and written by Antonino Cocco ,(Tantra) Gianni Tirelli and Mike Logan (The Motowns, Boneventura and Dhuo) Haunting vocals, great arrangement. I need a vinyl copy!
Lamarche – Innocent Little Boys Cry
Canadian synth rock and from the 1985 album, “Searching For The Sunrise” from Jim Lamarche. A bit of a one man band but with a band sound. There is even a sax in there.
It comes with it’s own mini movie promo
Last Gentleman – Everyday (Your Love Wears A Different Face)
From the US and released in 1985 on the Landmark Bros, a synth label running out of Champaign, Illinois, and set up by the band.
The line-up;
- Bass – Brian Hornick
- Guitar – Jim Hewitt
- Keyboards – Greg Manuel
- Synth – Michael Roux
- Vocals, Keyboards, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Drum Programming – Brian Leach (The Great Crusades, Autoliner)
Manuel and Leach worked together in the mid-90’s as Sugarbuzz.
A bit of Power Pop, quite repetitive lyrics but very catchy. Starts off like Roxette. This was opening track of their second album , “A Kiss For All Seasons.”
Last Laugh – Ticking By
The B-side of the one and only release by Last Laugh, an synth semi -instrumental on Planet Records from 1987/88. (again probably set up by the band)
Band members ? Bardell and Britton with studio help from Mark Bruce. (owner of Rich Bitch Studios in Birmingham)
An interesting story about him (Marco Silver) as he formed “Freebass” in 1997, as a band and limited company. Members included Roger Taylor (Duran Duran) Jake Roberts and guest vocalists. Signed to Cleveland City Records, “Love is like oxygen” made number 1 in the club charts.
A blend of guitar and heavy synth chords. Got a Manc Baggie (Stone Roses) feel to the vocals, making it an interesting blend.
Le Modular – In A Distant Land
Even more obscure from 1987 and appearing on a UK compilation called “The Jamboree Bag” on Surrey’s Primitive Records. Written by David Kemp. Bedroom electronica based around a bass guitar. (Fretless ?) No real vocals (sampled NASA newsreel), nice and chilled.
Les Enfants – Slipaway (Ext) / Dreaming Of You / Slipaway (LP Version)
Now to Dublin and three tracks from Les Enfants. They had an album called “Touché” in 1985 and had signed a Big Deal with Chrysalis Records (The kiss of Death)
- Bass – Derek Ryan
- Drums, Backing Vocals – Niall Power
- Guitar– Ronán O´Hanlon (The Word, Stellar)
- Keyboards – Mick Cosgrave
- Vocals – Deríc* (Derek Herbet and of late 80’s band The Big Noise)
Immediately vibes of Flock Of Seagulls but with much better vocals. Certainly grabs you by the throat with powerful production by Pat Moran and John David. Interesting keyboards sounds make it a bit special, especially on the extended version.
“Dreaming Of You” has great lead synth and drives from there with some great guitar riffs. Need to get hold of the album.
Oh and an appearance on The Tube
Les Magistrats De Syracuse – Genèse
From Discogs;
Magistrats De Syracuse was formed in 1985 in Maubeuge, France by Eric Vernier, author and composer, along with Bernard Applincourt on drums and Jean-Marie Leroy on sax. Between 1985 and 1986, the group recorded the 7” single “Week End’s Zaz / Genèse”. “Genèse” is the flip-side of their single, an instrumental and quite dreamy yet tense composition. They split in 1986.
So with Additional Instruments by Bruno Steiner we do get a doomy , moody synth led instrumental. Almost a clavichord sound that will rinse your ears.
Life By Night – Phone To Phone
With her glued up and leathers on. An American quintet Bryan Hitt (Drums and ex REO Speedwagon and Stan Bush), Jeff Naideau (Keyboards), Kevin Anderson (Keyboards and Vocals), Stuart Mathis (Guitars and The City, The Wallflowers, Chris Isaak) and Tom Croucier Bass and Vocals and Vanilla Fudge, Air Pavillion.)
Attempting to win over the Duranies and plenty of Bowie similarities. Nice sequenced bass and featured on “Stranger Things”
It was produced by Richie Zito it came with a lavish promo.
Linda Jarvis – You Threw A Good Love Away
The only release by her and featuring Guitar – Chris Rae (The Armada Orchestra / Ultrafunk, Keyboards, Drums and Producer – Andy Boucher and Saxophone – Roger Snook.
Released in 1988 with a touch Hi-NRG in the arrangement with Show Tune vocals in an Abba style.
Live Cinema – Pop Density / Sands Of Time
From 1987 and more UK stuff that I sort of recognise ! Produced by Colin Thurston. The duo of Phil Blank (instruments) and Pierre Laurin (vocals) give us some bouncy synthpop.
More cool 80’s synth grooves on “Sands Of Time” – definite forgotten potential.
And another witty promo vid
Live Transmission – You’ll Be-Free
From the ’87 Compilation “Modesty Kills – A Merseyside Compilation” Liverpool synth duo (with bass guitar) go for a more New Romantic arrangement. Interesting vocals and an uplifting chorus.
Look Who’s Talking – No Entrance
From 1988 and some slight shoegaze (now becoming popular again) from the Netherlands. The line-up;
Bass, Vocals – Kees Spruit
Drums – John Van Der Mierden
Guitar – Cor Krüger
Vocals, Guitar – Anton Spruit
Should have been signed to 4AD, jangly guitars and powerful, emotional vocals.
Lorna Wright – The Mirror Mile
More UK stuff from 1981. Featuring Adrian Lee (Synths and Toyah, Space Monkey and Mike & The Mechanics) , Gary Sanford (Guitar and Joe Jackson Band), Lorna Wright (US vocalist), Nigel Glockler (Drums and Toyah, Asia, Saxon, and Phil Spalding (Bass and Toyah, GTR, Original Mirrors,
So you all must remember “Japanese Boy” by Aneka , this was tapping into the same zeitgeist, the early 80’s obsession with the Orient. Using members of Toyah’s band. It was even produced by Nick Tauber. Prefer Aneka.
Love Minus Zero – Fade Away
An Oz band that Mike B might not of heard of!
Active from 1985 to 1989. They were based in Sydney, Australia.
Produced by Tom Colley the line-up was 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Kieren Fitzpatrick, Bass – Greg Kasch, Jim Merewether, Drums – Stephen Dunlevey , Drums, Vocals – Joe Genua, Guitars – Brad Fitzpatrick, Dario Bicego and Michael Royce (Take your pick!)
Jangle , jangle , jangle. I’m getting the definite scent of The Stone Roses.
Lovely Previn – The Wasted Love (Ext 12” Mix)
Nice bit of female vocals on this Proto Goth track from 1982. From Alicia “Lovely” Previn. Co-produced with Kevin D. Nixon. There is some electronic violin in here from Previn. Daughter of conductor & composer André Previn and jazz singer Betty Bennett.
Another interesting track written by Nixon (Bass and synth) and Mal Swann (Guitar) Joined by Andy Nolan (Drums) and Steve Guitar (Guitar)
Quite progressive but with a stupid fade out even on the 12″ version, it even got a Razormaid mix!
Luke – Nothing At All (Original Version)
Cheesy synth ballad with dodgy vocals from 1986. Guitars open up in the chorus. Inoffensive and pretty amateurish. Self released on Screendoor Records. (And also self- released the previous year on Templar Records!!)
It was recorded at Tony Visconti’s Good Earth Studios in London produced by Bryan Evans and engineered by Sven Taits. So why does itt sound so crap ? And there’s me thinking it was the Luke Slater track !
Lunatik – Longing..
Some Japanese synthpop from Alan Nguyen , but released in America ?? From 1988 and with some solid drum machines and digital production. Sung in Japanese Y..A-ha! Pristine Hi NRG !
Luv Bug – On MY Own
Europop from Ireland (Newry in Northern Ireland) from 1986. Nice voice and harmonies with a complete soul synth backing.
Hugh Cunningham
June Cunningham
Majella Grant
Max Cunningham
Ricky Meyler
They later changed their name to Heart Of Ice in the late 80’s.
So the Nolans, The Corrs, Westlife and Luv Bug !! And they did enter the Eurovision Song Contest.
Lyric By Nine – City Life
Closing with a bit of New Wave from 1984 . On Pregnant Turtle Productions and recorded at Flame Studios located at the Manor House area, London.
That’s it I know nothing else. Weird vocals and some reverb effects. As good as most things from 1984 with regards the danceable New Wave , a bit B-Movie with that piano bridge.
Links
https://qiwi.gg/file/83AS6650-LoSongs-TheLetterL
Still Works !!!!
myvinyldreams 
Correction: That Lunatik song is in Chinese (of which variety?) and it looks like two of the three members are Chinese-Americans.
Thanks for your input.
I have that Lama track on a double A. I’ll get to it before I leave ’83 😁
Thanks FF, nice of ya !
Thank you both for another installment in this series! I always find quite a few obscure but amazing tracks here!
Thanks George !