The final release by short lived duo Dessau. Indie Rock with a growling bass. Too commercial sounding for the Industrial scene but it still has that technology / guitar mix.
“Beijing” is about the Tiananmen Square incidents from the previous year. It’s a hard hitting sound, rock riffs and shouted lyrics.
“Europe Light” has layered drum machines and some nice bass that bounces around the speakers, flanged guitar. Reminding me of a lighter sounding Ministry and a bit over remixed by Rick Will.
Picking through the Indie remixes and to this early Blur stomper from October ’91.
The US version has the limited Blur remix, here called the “Red Sleeve Mix” and the rarer “Rock Mix” all tweeked by Stephen Street. The Rock mix is more like the single in an extended form with more guitars.
“Explain” was originally on the B-side of “Bang” a classic Coxon guitar interplay with the piano, great fun.
“Fans will buy ‘owt; Oi Kendall ! Go into the studio and mess around on the mixing desk and come out with 2 tracks for tomorrow!!!” I could just hear Mute boss Daniel Miller shout from his office.
From 1990 and the very different mixes of top hit “This Is How It Feels” given the looped beat treatment by Paul Kendall, hopefully to be played at some Rave or ‘aaapenin.
The first mix is just about listenable as an alternative and repetitive take.
Does this dance crossover work ? It nearly did with Pulp’s “Boys And Girls”, this sounds of its time- 1992
The opening mix gives it a hip-hop beat and scratches and a different bass , listenable in a weird alternative way.
Housed up on the “Weird Mix” by Scott Christian (who adds some more tinkly keyboards) and John Debo under their Mindwarp tag. Not sure about this lighter version of the original. It certainly seems to have a touch of Madonna as the growling organ has been diluted.
As always it’s up here as a dated oddity. I wonder if it ever got played in the Hacienda ???
From the 1990 album, “Cake” this Scottish band was fronted by Francis Reader (vocals, acoustic guitar) Eddie Reader’s brother, with Paul Livingston (lead guitar), John Douglas (rhythm guitar, vocals), Grant Wilson (bass) and Stephen Douglas (drums, backing vocals)
Shades of Morrisey and a hint of Prefab Sprout. This is a real grower. Acoustic jangle all the way. The quality does stop with “Useless” a gentle track with biting lyrics that Beautiful South would be proud of. “Tonight You Belong Me” is a gentle cover of an old 30’s sing, duet ting with his sister Richael and featuring in the film “The Jerk”
Manchester Scene Mavericks, the New Fads released this 4 track E.P. in 1992. Exploring the more rhythmic side of indie dance, the first track fits nicely with the baggy scene with their own take on Mutant Funk. “Head On” (my fav) is almost grunge in the amount of guitars. “Beatlemania” can also be heard on the album “Body Exit Mind” – what a great intro ! The closer is the atmospheric “Beautiful” bursts into an instrumental guitar heaven.
