Three O’Clock ‎– Warm Aspirations (12″)

A 1986 release from the L.A. quartet. The Line-up was Michael Quercio – vocals and bass (ex-member of the early 80’s band The Salvation Army) , Steven Altenberg-  guitars, Mike Mariano – keyboards and Danny Benair – drums. The band came about from the “Paisley Underground”, a name to describe a subset of the 1980’s L.A. music scene which included bands such as Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, Green on Red, the Long Ryders and the Bangles.

Synth strings and a strong indie vibe. Ian Broudie produced and sounding ever so much like “Lightning Seeds.”

“Regina Caeli” is a traditional hymn sung in the Latin with a sparse synth backing. Very Weird!

Why on here?

William Orbit remixes the last track , an extended mix of the opening track from their album “Ever After”. Weird organ sounds start it off then it kicks into a indie, synthpop dance track. Lots of echoing effects and a great 12″ Mix.

https://workupload.com/file/3vYc56XW

https://www.mediafire.com/file/x9mjk044k71t47p/Three_O%27_Clock_-_Warm_Aspirations_-_UK_12%27%27_Vinyl_-_1987___MP3.rar/file

I.R.S. Records ‎– IRMT 127

A	Warm Aspirations
B1	Regina Caeli
B2	Suzie’s On The Ball Now (Extended)

The Korgis ‎– Burning Questions (Netherlands 12″)

By 1985 The Korgis (now the duo of Andy Davis and James Warren), had truly embraced the synths.

The title track from the album ,”Burning Questions” fits in with what Howard Jones / Duran Duran were doing at the time and embraces Far Eastern sounds as well as imagery. After a long instrumental introduction we get synths and samples building up to the song arrives after nearly 4 minutes.

“Waiting For Godot” is an atmospheric instrumental, soundtrack-like and something Ultravox would be proud of. James Warren was soon to embark on a solo career as this was re-released under his name.

https://www.mediafire.com/file/z1or5yrkq69gzro/The_Korgis_-_Burning_Question_-_Netherlands_12%27%27_Vinyl_-_1985_-_MP3.rar/file

https://workupload.com/file/2JQkRZbJ

Sonet ‎– SONL 2284

A	Burning Question
B	Waiting For Godot

Ph.D – I Didn’t Know (12″)

Ph.D were remembered for their own brand of keyboard led soft rock. The band took its name from the initial letters of its three members’ surnames; Simon Phillips (drummer and son of band leader Sid Philips), Tony Hymas (keyboards) and Jimmy Diamond (vocals)

This was the lead single from their second album “Is It Safe ?” that didn’t get a UK release! Orchestrated and with some nice guitar. So good it comes with an instrumental of its own. A mid-paced ballad but very well arranged.

Bonus and to boost sales was their one hit wonder “I Won’t Let You Down” from 1981. A classic that is both quite unique in it’s synth rock sound with those incredible vocals of the much missed Mr. Diamond.

https://workupload.com/file/UgprBJEz

http://www.mediafire.com/file/s19q6m6ec55z8ef/Ph.D._-_I_Didn%2527t_Know_-_UK_12%2527%2527_Vinyl_-_1983__MP3.rar/file

WEA ‎– U 9996T

A	I Didn’t Know	4:05
B1	Theme For Jenny (Instrumental Version Of “I Didn’t Know”)	3:25
B2	I Won’t Let You Down

Snips ‎– La Rocca! (Vinyl LP)

This is an interesting , obscure album from 1981. Quite a few styles span over the 12 tracks. It features Bill Nelson on synths (you can tell by his choice of sounds and playing style) and Midge Ure produces and plays on the opening track.

Snips was guitarist , singer and songwriter Stephen Parsons who had been early 70’s band Sharks, whose sound influenced a few of the punk bands. He does like the short song with plenty of the album’s tracks being well under 3 minutes. Also appearing on the album was bass – Jackie Badger (Berlin’s Jo Julien provides bass on track 3) drums – split between session drummer Clem Cattini and Dave Mattacks, guitars and keyboards – Chris Spedding  (who also produces) while Duncan Bridgeman helped out Nelson on synths and also on production.

I’m liking the more experimental tracks, “Telepathy” short and sounds a bit like Be Bop Deluxe. The complex and longest track on the album, “Work” and obviously the synth punk of “Nine O’clock” It does have more of a power pop feel to it though as it was recorded in 1979, some of the lyrics are a bit cringe-worthy , “Tight Shoes”

https://workupload.com/file/uTg9swZK

https://www.mediafire.com/file/gffklel8r3iwnru/Snips_%u200E%u2013_La_Rocca%21.rar/file

EMI ‎– EMC 3359

A1	Nine O’Clock
A2	La Rocca
A3	Skies Of England
A4	The Rain
A5	Dark Outside
A6	Backs Of Millions
B1	Police Car
B2	Happy Sometimes
B3	Tight Shoes
B4	Work
B5	Telepathy
B6	What Is Pop ?

Talk Talk ‎– Life’s What You Make It (Extended Dance Version) (US 12″)

Not heard this version with the extra overdubs on the Tim Friese-Greene “Dance Remix”, there is just a lot more going on and I think I prefer it although it does go on a bit, I think the clue is in the “Extended” in the title.

Mark Berry gets his hands on the track to create a drum heavy “Dub Mix” which manages to reintroduce the synth to the Talk Talk sound replacing the piano riff, not sure it works. Especially that heavy orchestra hit that is used.

As most followers would agree it is all about the hidden B-side on this blog. I love the way the 7″ version of “It’s Getting Late In The Evening” is over 5 and half minutes long. It harks to the style of the next album, “Laughing Stock”, loose and quiet, gentle and emotional…a true masterpiece.

https://workupload.com/file/QevB4d6y

https://www.mediafire.com/file/40yys3n99lu3h4h/Talk_Talk_-_Life%27s_What_You_Make_It_-_US_12%27%27_Vinyl_Mixes_-_1986.rar/file

EMI America ‎– V-19203

A	Life’s What You Make It (Extended Mix)	6:54
B1	It’s Getting Late In The Evening (7″ Version)	5:44
B2	Life’s What You Make It (Dub Version)	6:06

X ‎– True Love Part II (US Promo 12″)

Debut on here for this seminal American New Wave band with the Ray Manzarek’s produced track from the 1983 album “More Fun In The New World.”

Mostly from Illinois the quartet comprised of  John Doe, Exene Cervenka, Billy Zoom and D.J. Bonebrake. They actually formed in 1977 as part of the L.A. Punk Scene.

A solid alt. disco tune, with a Doobie Brothers guitar riff and plenty of cowbell,  I like the way it goes into a medley of covers at the end. “True Love Part 1” was far more punkier. This is like Talking Heads meet B-52’s.

https://workupload.com/file/mk9qvvKB

https://www.mediafire.com/file/j8a2x5qj4h4sxca/X_-_True_Love_II_-_US_12%27%27_Promo_Vinyl_Mixes_-1983__MP3.rar/file

Elektra ‎– EAOR 4943

A1	True Love Part II (A.O.R. Edit Version)	3:49
A2	True Love Part II (Album Version)	5:04
B	True Love Part II (Club Version Remix)	5:12

Talk Talk ‎– Dum Dum Girl (12″)

1984 and I think this might have been the first Talk Talk record I bought, then started to collective the back catalog from there. Mike has kindly ripped his copy of this excellent little 4 tracker, I didn’t know it was a Re-issue. The first release had a different cover and an insert with Mark Hollis’ handwritten lyrics of the album “It’s My Life”.

You get a extended version by Steve Thompson that brings out more of the acoustic guitar. The US 7″ Mix is slightly brighter sound.

The Dub Mix of “Such A Shame” (also by Steve Thompson) is far too drummy for me and takes an age to get going. Far too much reverb although I like the spikey oriental synths at the end.

For ages I wanted to hear the 7″ version of the choppy “Without You” that also was an exclusive B-side. Great value for money!

https://workupload.com/file/2q8Ys5c5

https://www.mediafire.com/file/a2q8h4f97blhwiz/Talk_Talk_-_Dum_Dum_Girl_-_UK_12%27%27_Vinyl_Mixes_-_1984.rar/file

EMI ‎– 12EMI 5480

A1	Dum Dum Girl (12″ Mix)	5:23
A2	Such A Shame (Dub Mix)	6:30
B1	Without You (12″ Mix)	5:54
B2	Dum Dum Girl (7″ US Mix)	3:39