The Beat! MP3 Music Blog | Post Punk, Synth Pop, Italo, Disco, Krautrock and Electronic

Pedestrians ‎– Commuter Fantasy

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Wed, 30 May 2012 05:20:28 PDT

Here's a rare littlel Italo-esque number that The Beat's Stephen Hodgen snook into his cosmic set last night at the Lock Tavern. From Canadian one-hit-wonders 'Pedestrians', this was reissued on a very limited run that you can still snap up over at Piccadilly.

Pedestrians ‎– Commuter Fantasy

The Visitation

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:22:41 PDT

On Tuesday 29th May, the Beat DJ collective will be gathering to put on a very special audio-visual extravaganza as part of The Lock Tavern's 10th birthday celebrations.

Revisiting our sets from The Visitation, we'll be playing slo-mo disco and space music all night to a barrage of specially prepared visuals.

The celebrations start at 8pm and end at midnight - full event details can be found here. Hope to see you there. x

Light Asylum - Dark Allies

noreply@blogger.com (Danny) — Fri, 18 May 2012 07:02:35 PDT

Coming on like a pure-grade ecstasy tablet with a picture of Billy Idol's face on it, this B-side to their In Tension ep, resurfaced on the truly great Body Request compilation and stunned me from the first listen. It's listed on Boomkat as Skull Fukt, but a bit of research has shown it to be called 'Dark Allies'.

Echoed out sounds reference Belgian New Beat, the Sisters of Mercy and New Order synths at their most primal. If you made a compilation of music to play in that red light club in Terminator, This would feature.

Light Asylum - Dark Allies

They have an album just released on the Mexican Summer label, which sets to improve on the earlier EPs with ten tracks of uncompromising body work. They should be over to the UK in the summer and you tube clips show them to be as good live as you would imagine.
Album details and Mexican Summer shop here.

The best £7 you will spend this Friday 14tracks.com: Body Request.

photo credit

Helen - Zanzibar (Afro Mix)

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:44:32 PDT

Inflatable guitars at the ready, here's some Balearic (Italo? Afro-Disco?) goodness from 1985 in the form of 'Zanzibar (Afro Mix)' by Helen.

Helen - Zanzibar (Afro Mix)

Murphy Jax (Clone) - Be In 1983 Mix

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Sun, 13 May 2012 10:51:32 PDT

Keen followers of the No More Pop blog may have picked this up at the beginning of 2011.

Clone's Murphy Jax takes us on a whirlwind tour of 1983 (think Windows 1.0) via the medium of crackly old vinyl. It's a mix full of minimal wave, new wave, cold wave, synth pop and 80s rarities fanatics.

Go find more at No More Pop.

Murphy Jax (Clone) - Be In 1983 Mix

Aerial FX - Servitors
EMAK - Ohne Titel
AWOL - Robotics Return
Plastic Bertrand - Tout Petite la Planete
Ceramic Hello - Sampling the Blast Furnace
Zoom Lens - Waxworks
EMAK - Filmmusik
Experimental Products - Mannequin
Turquoise Days - Gry Skies
Deux - Europe
This Fish Needs A Bike - The Drone
Space Opera - Space Opera Theme
Grauzone - Film 2
Experimental Products - Work the Beat
Programa - Programa
Ceramix Hello - A Pale View of Hills

Debbie Jacobs - Don't You Want My Love

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Sat, 12 May 2012 07:59:18 PDT

Think big. Here's the massive 1979 club smash from Baltimore's Debbie Jacobs. Apparently 'big in Chicago' on it's release, make it this weekend's floor filler in your own front room. Over 9 minutes of amped up action.

Debbie Jacobs - Don't You Want My Love

DMX Krew - Turing Test

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:00:00 PDT

The hugely influential Ed DMX is bringing the sine waves again. Strictly limited to 500 copies, The East Side Boogie EP is electro-boogie at its finest - all vintage drum machines, vocoder, and synths with that trademark DMX ideal: that it could actually be a lost classic from the 80s.

We've been given the more club-orientated flipslip for your listening pleasure but head to Voltaire Records if you want to get your mitts on the whole thing.

DMX Krew - Turing Test

JD Twitch - Adrian Sherwood On U Sound Mix (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:45:36 PDT

Following his rather excellent interview for Racket Racket, Optimo's JD Twitch has compiled this rather intriguing mix of Adrian Sherwood's influential ON U Sound label. The mix covers music from the years 1979 - 88 and to be fully enjoyed should really be played through the kind of system for which Mr Sherwood was known.

Twitch tell us: "The mix is DUB in the widest (and wildest) sense of that word and veers from beautiful, heart-melting songs to cavernously deep, hard bass pulsations to the odd bit of brain melting sonic radicalism. To this day I don't think any other producer has pushed the envelope so hard which is partly down to a general lack of balls on the part of other producers and partly due to the fact that these productions were all recorded to tape and mixed on a desk with 100% outboard gear, so that pushing the tape way beyond its intended limits forms a large part of the character of the sound. His totally deranged dub techniques are perhaps a little more prevalent on part 1 (see below) of this podcast while this part is in the main more of a continuous heart throb with odd moments of sonic destruction, offering a masterclass in dub mixing techniques many of which Adrian Sherwood pioneered.

There's also going to be a part one appearing here.

Risco Connection - Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Biswas) — Sat, 12 May 2012 08:01:04 PDT

The McFadden and Whitehead original is justifiably considered a Philly soul classic but in the hands of Risco Connection it's so much more. Cleverly reworking the original track with cavernous reverb, delicate timbales and a touch of reggae syncopation, Risco Connection turned it into a blissful dub workout that is superior to the original in every way. Here's the unreleased extended mix in all 9 minutes of glory. Seminal.

Risco Connection - Ain't No Stoppin Us Now

Jimmy Sabater - To Be With You (Al Kent Edit)

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Biswas) — Sat, 12 May 2012 08:02:59 PDT

Most of our readers are no doubt aware of the ongoing battle between BBE and Harmless to become the reigning champ of essential rare disco re-issues. This one-upmanship cuts both ways - it heightens the unfortunate likelihood that you'll be hearing that ultra-rare Salsoul 12 inch you paid 100 quid for on ebay when you next visit to Pret but maybe that's a fair price to pay when one looks at the staggeringly good tunes they're bringing back into the spotlight. Exhibit A: Jimmy Sabater's relentless disco-latin-funk extravanganza "To Be With You" as rediscovered and re-edited by Glaswegian disco supremo Al Kent for BBE.

This tune has it all - relentless pace, a wall of bongos, funk guitar right out of Shaft and sick keyboard lines. That's without mentioning the panicky strings, jazzy sax breaks and a blissed out chorus that is one hell of a pay-off. Dope.

Jimmy Sabater - To Be With You

Stephen Hodgen - Maypole Dancing pt.1

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Sat, 12 May 2012 08:07:52 PDT

Here's another TDK C90's worth of orchestral manoeuvers from The Beat family member Stephen 'Groin Strain' Hodgen. Stephen has dusty feet, he won't thank me for sharing that with you - feet so dusty they increase in weight and mass by an additional 87% throughout a regular working day. The cruel children of yonder Gawthorpe hamlet would mock and throw stones, but Hodgen the boy child would come into his own at school discos; shuffling and spinning with graceful ease. Not a lot of people know this, keep it to yourself right.

Jerry Williams - Easy On Yourself (Beat Brokers Dub Mix)
Psychemagik - Ass Nation
Kalidasa - Bursting Through
Alphaville - The Nelson Highrise (Sector One) (Disco 3000 Edit)
Timothy J. Fairplay - Sleighride/Blizzard (Andrew Weatherall Remix)
Panoram - Mute City Blues
Floating Points - Marilyn
Psychemagik - Star Lazer
The Oscillation - Telepathic (Emperor Machine Remix)
Bjorn Torske - Langt Fra Afrika (Todd Terje’s Enda Lengre Miks) (Fra Afrika Altsa)
Slava - World Of Spirits
Sabres Of Paradise - Smoke Belch II (Exit)

T21 & The Beatevers - Personal Feelings (Club Bizarre Re-Edit)

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:02:24 PDT

HOT!

This track's a couple of years old now but, thankfully, has finally made it onto our radar courtesy of this rather tasty mix by Daniel Avery, a DJ that we've seen several times recently and always been queuing up for track IDs.

A Number Of Names - Sharevari

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 03:56:46 PDT

Cited as being the first Detroit record, 'Sharevari' was released in 1981 in an apparently limited run of 500 records. The song lists the aspirational desires of the Detroit club players from the Porsche 928, L'Uomo Vogue, cigarettes and fine wines.

A Number Of Names - Sharevari (Vocal mix)

Mr Pinks - DIsco Discharge Promo Mix

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:35:28 PDT

The ever-reliable Disco Discharge are back with four new compilations - this time focussing on American Hot, Disco Exotica, Europa and Midnight Shift.

As ever the tracks cover hits, underground club tracks and choice rarities featuring such luminaries as Claudja Barry, Sylvester, Patrick Cowley, Dennis Parker, Klein & MBO, Gino Soccio, Azoto... you name them, they're there.

We've only got a short promo mix to whet your appetite, but the comps are out on Monday so keep 'em peeled.

Tracklist:

Cissy Houston - Think It Over
Azoto - Soft Emotion
Slick - Sexy Cream
The Brothers - Are You Ready For This
Voggue - Dancing The Night Away
Gino Soccio - Dance To Dance
Aretha Franklin - What A Fool Believes

Afrika Bambaataa - Bambaataa's Theme (Assault On Precinct 13)

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:27:00 PDT

It's time for another The Beat family outing, this time to see the Amen Ra of Universal Hip Hop Culture, that's Afrika Bambaataa to you and I, at The Garage (with Greg Wilson and Disco Bloodbath). So to commemorate the occasion here's Bam's apparently unreleased nod to John Carpenters 'Assault On Precinct 13' theme that was a staple in his Roxy and Danceteria sets.

Afrika Bambaataa - Bambaataa's Theme (Assault On Precinct 13)

Fischerman's Friend - Money $ (Orbital Club Mix)

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:17:10 PDT

Before becoming Sun Electric in the early 90s, Tom Thiel's and Max Loderbauer were Fischerman's Friend with Stefan Fischer. In 1989 they released the single 'Money $' which featured this early remix by Dr.Alex Patterson and Jimmy Cauty (one time member of The KLF) under confusing title of 'Orbital Club Mix'. It's worth tracking down the original extended mix which is equally special.

Fischerman's Friend - Money $ (Orbital Club Mix)

Saint Etienne - Speedwell (Flying Remix)

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 01:30:40 PDT

We heart Sarah, Bob and Pete. Here's Saint Etienne's 1991 'Speedwell' as remixed by Flying Records - just to show it weren't always Weathers giving us dubby dancefloor donuts.

Saint Etienne - Speedwell (Flying Remix)

LPZ - Snake & Butterfish

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:26:29 PDT

This is what we like! LPZ (formerly Tirk's 'Lopez') drops sleazy beats and arabic chanting with bubbling acid underneath - it's got 'A Love From Outer Space' written all over it and is possibly the best thing to come out of Paraguay since, well... ever?

Grab a download while you can. It's out on the rather excellent Bodywork on May 14th.

Jame Pants - Metaltearducts mix for Oki-Ni

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 01:41:28 PDT

The latest Oki Ni mix series comes from James Pants and that can only be a good thing. Built around an obscure mix of home recordings and never to be found rarities.

METALTEARDUCTS by James Pants by Oki-Ni on Mixcloud

Egyptian Lover - Egypt Egypt (12" Mix)

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:01:15 PDT

'Egypt Egypt' was LA based electro producer Egyptian Lover's debut release back in 1984. A huge b-boy club hit during the first wave of electro, Egyptian Lover is often cited as an influence by more recent producers such as Autechre. Do the uprock.

Egyptian Lover - Egypt Egypt (12" Mix)

Joy Fleming - Final Thing

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 05:18:00 PDT

Whilst reading about Yorkshire man Geoffrey Bastow and his importance as a major player in the early Munich disco scene along with Giorgio Moroder, I came across this oddity. Joy Fleming represented Germany in the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest, but in 1978 following the disco trend she teamed with the Bastow and something magic happened... 15 minutes of magic.

Joy Fleming - Final Thing

Placid 88 - Thoughts from Detroit (A Carl Craig Retrospective)

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:09:04 PDT

Rather than waste our collective time writing some weak copy, just absorb the title and read the tracklist. It's all there, Carl Craig themed goodness from Placid 88.

Innerzone Orchestra - Bug on the Bassbin - Planet E
Carl Craig - Sandstorm - Planet E
BFC - It's a shame - Transmat
69 - Desire - Planet E
Ultramarine - Hooter (Carl Craig Mix) - Blanco Y Negro
Francois De Roubaix - Le Mer est Grande - (Carl Craig mix) - Cinemix
Psyche - Andromeda - Transmat
Shop - Nitwit - Planet E
Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom – Relevee - DFA
Carl Craig - At Les - Buzz
Paperclip People - Oscillator - Retroactive
Theo Parrish - Falling up - Third Ear
Yennek - Serena X - Buzz
Paperclip People - Throw - Planet E
Psyche - Crack Down - Transmat
Beanfield - Tides - Kompost
BFC - Climax - Retroactive
Martin Buttrich - Stoned Autopilot - Planet E
Paperclip People - Steam - Planet E
Placid Angles - Aquatic - Retrocative
69 - My Machines - Planet E
BFC - Galaxy

Thompson Twins - The Saint (Def Sonic 12" Mix)

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:09:00 PDT

Here's some early 90s house for you in the form of Dave Morales's remix of the Thompson Twins 'The Saint' single taken from their 1992 LP 'Queer'. Only available on the US release, it felt worthy of a dust off given the continued vogue for all things 90s.

Thompson Twins - The Saint (Def Sonic 12" Mix)

The Unkown Cases - Masimbabele

noreply@blogger.com (Simon) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 05:18:52 PDT

The Unkown Cases were German electronic duo Helmut Zerlett and Stefan Krachten. They released Masimbabele featuring Ghanaian percussionist Reebop Kwaku Baah in 1983 on Rough Trade.

The Unkown Cases - Masimbabele

Bob Stanley - Domino Radio Mix

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 03:00:05 PDT

BOB STANLEY - ST. ETIENNE by Domino Radio on Mixcloud

Couldn't think of a better way to spend a hungover Easter Monday than wrapped in Bob Stanley's musical arms.