Stats have picked up. Comments and likes have dropped off. (but thanks to Retro Hound and Matt for actually being arsed hitting the like button!) This blog doesn’t write itself you know!!
Things you might have noticed;
I’ve been re-upping as I’ve been posting.
GoFile links should be permanent now, as I’ve become a patreon so links don’t randomly disappear.
From 1988 and Hancock gets sample crazy. Beat Dis drums and Bill Laswell on production and remix
A definite P-Funk arrangement and the full 12″ is great (and long!) getting quite electro with keyboard player Michael Beinhorn, Bootsy Collins, Mico Wave (Michael Lane) and Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner (Ohio Players) who does the vocals.
A US only release from ’85. Typical, pristine Hardcastle, same drums and bass but this time with an Egyptian flute lead. At least you know what you getting !!
The Remix has is an improvement with a stronger lead and wider soundstage. Some overdubbed samples and a ochestra stabs, like the added marimba. Electo jazz funk at its finest.
With Goth overtones this opening track came late to my ears. Released in 1982 this 5 tracker gathered earlier singles which get a remix from UK Producer Neil Kernon.
A chance meeting between a journalist from Rolling Stone and Hazard propelled him and his band, The Heroes to a bit of media coverage. All songs were written and produced by Hazard with the bad comprising of Jerry Weindel (keyboards), John Lilley (guitar and The Hooters), Ken Bernard (drums), Michael Pilla (guitar) and Rob Miller (bass and The Hooters.
The lead off track is definitely more synthy as it settles into a more Pop oriented New Wave sound, a bit generic really. “Hang Around With You” is almost Rock n Roll as is “Out Of The Blue” but has some New Wave keyboards in there.
The uptempo cover of Dylan’s of “Blowing In The Wind” is on my Monday cover list. Interesting !
Scottish Maverick and One Man Band, Thomas Leer was, for me, the posy bloke and also part of ZTT’s Act, with Claudia Bruken.
I was aware he had embraced the Fairlight and I’d bought a few twelves and his solo album, “The Scale Of Ten” when he was on Arista. I didn’t know he was a heavy influence on Matt Johnson (The The)
From 1982 on Cherry Red Records this showcased that rich , crooning voice (he found it!) and quite a complex synth arrangement. Not the version mentioned above.
“Saving Grace” again has some involving synthwork on this instrumental. Italo Disco in style, almost Afro Funk. The flute synth give it that extra stamp of quality.
First release on Arista and going into full Emulator / Fairlight mode. Jet Setting and wheeling and dealing, a heroin trafficker . A gentle tempo that unfortunately drags on the 12″ mix. Quite Prefab Sprout-like
“Easy Way” is much better, more experimental and funkier. Work that sampler!
From May ’85 and going down the coffee table jazz movement. Smoother production, real bass (Graham Edwards – Nick Heyward, Go West) saxophone (Andy Hamilton), female backing vox, drums (Blair Cunningham – Haircut 100) and Anne Dudley arranging the strings.
That piano outro pre-empts the stuff he did with ACT.
Two qualities B-sides. “Chasing The Dragon” goes for Oriental sounds and Y.M.O. influences, it could be Bill Nelson!
“Trust Me” is a remix by Dave Allen. Sampled and treated guitar and bass and it goes into AON territory. That mad trumpet / Fairlight solo !
More AOR with a sprinkle of synths. Phil Saatchi, a UK guitarist / singer and another One Man Band it seems. He was in Bill Bruford’s band, “Absolute Elsewhere” in the mid 70’s.
In the style of Steve Winwood the main mix is by Bruce Forrest with additional keyboards by David Cole, giving it a Proto-house vibe. Great Dub btw.
More Hair Rock with a dollop of prog from Robert Plant.
Released in June ’85 when he was having a bit of a renaissance. The synths shimmer, it was written by keyboard player Jezz Woodroffe.
Track 2 was recorded live in Dallas on 24th June 1985, can’t fault the quality of the backing band, going into “Whole Lotta Love” territory on the extended album track.
“Doo Doo A Do Do” is a weird bit of rock / funk, with weird elastic bass from Paul Martinez, also from the LP, “Shaken ‘N’ Stirred” Toni Halliday (Curve) provides the backing vocals.