This broadcast features two pieces by Frans deWaard's Modelbau project. The programme starts with "Caustic" a track from the cassette EP "Cataract". In 2014 Modelbau released on cassette for the first time since the project began in 2012. Following "Blade" on Barreuh Records, "Cataract" is a C30 on the German Licht-Ung label. "Cataract" was originally released to accompany two Modelbau performances / workshops in Leverkusen and Kail (August 2014). The copies sold over these two events have different sleeves to the 'official' Licht-Ung mail order release. A rarity I have yet to get my hands on.
The Modelbau piece "Object Of The Attack" is from the compilation cassette "Blurred". The compilation also features Jeph Jerman, Licht-Ung, Emerge, Forgotten Ghost and The Rita amongst others. It's a beautifully packaged release that comes with an A5 'zine with interviews, photography and artwork by the participants. The compilation marks the 50th release by the German label. The "Cataract" cassette is long sold out (limited to 50 copies) but a download is still available from Licht-Ung via their bandcamp page.https://licht-ung.bandcamp.com. Frans can be contacted here : https://fransdewaard.com, and copies of "Blurred" are available here : https://grisaille.bandcamp.com/album/blurred. (D/load only).
2021 was a busy year for Swiss sound artist Francisco Meirino producing three of the finest releases from the year. The vinyl LP "A New Instability" on Helen Scarsdale Agency, the cassette "Something Always remains" on Thomas LaRoche's Research Laboratories label and the 4xCD collection (box) "The Process Of Significance" on Misanthropic Agenda. 2022 begins with the excellent album "Shattered Reel(m)s" on Edward Sol's Sentimental Productions label. The album was recorded throughout 2020 at Francisco's Shiver Mobile (Lausanne). The sound is created from 30 tape reel loops built upon using violin, piano, field recordings, synthesisers, voice and computer. As always Sentimental Productions have produced an excellent album with limited copies available in an 'art box' containing a reel to reel tape version of the CD along with an original tape loop that was used on the album. (I have #30). Copies are available direct from Francisco here : http://www.franciscomeirino.com.
What can I write about Cabaret Voltaire that hasn't already been written? Every Cabaret Voltaire interview that has been in print since 1977 is included in the great new book "Cabaret Voltaire - A Collection Of Interviews 1977-1994". I am having a great time reading the interviews and playing my Cabaret Voltaire records as aid and reference. The book has been collated by Fabio Méndez, no pictures just words. A great read. The last few weeks I have been enjoying a few new books whilst listening to records. The Nigel Ayers "Electronic Resistance" book, the book by The Shend on his writing within The Cravats and (over Christmas) the book on The Fall "Extracate!". I am looking forward to the new book by Jowe Head, out on Feb 18 ... expect some Swell Maps tunes in March. The Cabaret Voltaire interview book can be found here. https://www.fabiomendez.com/cabaretvoltaire/product/cabaret-voltaire-a-collection-of-interviews-1977-1994-book/.
I am having fun listening to Cheap Imitation. I managed to get their first vinyl release at the end of last year and now I want to hear everything. Before the 7" Cheap Imitation released three cassettes "No More Weekend" is the title track from their 2018 album on Oma333.
Two releases feature in the "On This Day" section. The Passage released their first 7" on the Night & Day Ltd label, a label created for The Passage by Virgin Records. The Passage were a Manchester based group with fluctuating members with multi instrumentalist Dick Witts being the one constant member. Formed in 1978 as a three piece including The Fall's Tony Friel they released a brace of singles and an album on Object Music before creating Night & Day Ltd in 1981. They call it a day in 1983. Dick Wilts used to appear on the BBC music programme "The Oxford Road Show" and Granada TV's "What's On". A year later on February 17 1982 23 Skidoo released the seminal "7 Songs" (mini) LP.
The album is produced by Genesis P-Orridge, Peter Christopherson and Ken Thomas. The album was released on Fetish Records, the London based label that started in 1978 by re-releasing Throbbing Gristle's "2nd Annual Report" album. I saw 23 Skidoo play live a few times around this time and remember them playing films / videos that were used by Throbbing Gristle. I play the (mini) LP in full here. 40 years on and it still sounds (funky) fresh. The LTM label have re-issued "7 Songs" as a double LP including the John Peel session from 1981 and their debut 12" "The Gospel Comes To New Guinea" (produced by Stephen Mallinder of Cabaret Voltaire. Worth getting : https://www.ltmrecordings.com.
Next month sees the release of a new album by The Dead Mauriacs. The album is called "Expedition" and is a collaboration between The Dead Mauriacs and Evan Crankshaw. Limited to only 300 copies it is available now (pre-order) at : https://akuphone.com/catalog/1C9Mu1EZFqoA#content. In anticipation I play a 2021 piece by The Dead Mauriacs. I don't know if it was a good idea to play the new single from Current 93. "Soft As The Sun" is a single-sided playable postcard, limited to 250 copies on the Greek Chrysallida label. It is only available from the Folklore & History Museum of Xanthi and unfortunately it snaps, skips, crackles and pops white a bit. The record does play better on my turntable at MuhMur HQ than it did on the studio decks. "Caresse" from the "LAShTAL" 12" comes to the rescue.
In 1985 Frans deWaard at Kom Plastics compiled and released the compilation cassette "6x10=60 Vol.1". It featured Bands Berne Crematoire, Merzbow, Asod DVI, Commando Bruno, Falx Cerebri and Throw Me Your Finger. It was a limited run of 130 copies and came with a small tract. The following year Korm Plastics released volume 2 this time with Het Zweet, Coup de Grace, No Unauthorized, Hjarntortyr Med Slacktmaskins, Swimming Behaviour Of The Human Infant and Bourbonese Qualk. Again limited to 130 copies and this time packaged in a 'zip bag' with 24 art cards. Essential in the day ... and still essential now. The quality of the sound really stands out, it hasn't dated or lessened in effect. The projects included really were on top of their game at this point. And now the Staalplaat 'side label' Korm Plastics D have re-issued the two volumes in one box and included a booklet containing the original artwork from the tract and postcards. The Falx Cerebri (aka Graf Haufen) piece and the Het Zweet piece that ends the broadcast are from this compilation. I have a vague memory that Ron at RRRecords may have released these tapes in the U.S. but I may have that wrong ... The Korm Plastics D edition is limited to 96 copies only and available from : https://kormplasticsd.bandcamp.com.
I am always looking to fill the gaps in my Muckrackers collection and at the start of the year I managed to get a couple of albums from their back catalogue. "Regarde Et Prends Garde" was released in 2014 on their own L.F.A. label. Again, the style, the individual and unique style of Muckrackers industrial noise is at the forefront on this LP. "Prends Garde" is from this album. http://www.forges-alliees.org. Contact! Talking of filling gaps ... over the Christmas holiday I ventured to the new secondhand record shop Hussar Records in Pinhoe, Exeter and picked up some classic tunes by Sisters Of Mercy and Joy Division. My copy of "Unknown Pleasures" went beyond the snap, crackle and pop many moons ago so to grab a CD copy was most pleasurable. For some reason I find it difficult to buy the first four Sisters Of Mercy singles, mainly because of price (to me they are all 'ten bob singles') so I was grateful to get a copy of the awfully titled "Some Girls Wander By Mistake" CD.
A connection is made - I saw Sisters Of Mercy live on the same day I saw 23 Skidoo. 1981 at the Futurama 3 Festival in The Bingley Hall, Stafford. They had just released the "Damage Is Done" EP and really stood out ... I had never heard (of) them before and became a disciple for the next couple of years buying everything and seeing them live all over the north of England. 1984 they played Manchester University it was then I knew our time was over ...
The MixCloud Archive is here : (Pease take a listen) :
https://www.mixcloud.com/tamsin-jane-cammack/muhmur-radio-broadcast-17-february-2022/
Playlist :
01: Modelbau : "Caustic" (Licht-Ung) 2014.
02: Francisco Meirino : "Shattered Reel(m)s (#3)" (Sentimental Productions) 2022.
03: Cabaret Voltaire : "Do The Mussolini (Headkick!)" (Rough Trade Records) 1978.
04: Cheap Imitation : "No More Weekend" (Oma333) 2018.
05: The Passage : "Devils And Angels" (Night & Day) 1981.
06: Slum Of Legs : "The Baader-Meinhoff Always Look Good In Photos" (Spurge) 2020.
07: Cabaret Voltaire : "Baader-Meinhoff" (Factory Records) 1979.
08: Cabaret Voltaire : "Stay Out Of It" (Rough Trade Records) 1980.
09: 23 Skidoo : "Seven Songs" (Side A) (Fetish Records) 1982.
10: 23 Skidoo : "Seven Songs" (Side B) (Fetish Records) 1982.
11: The Dead Mauriacs : "... Play Secret Science And Le Festin Chimique" (Not On Label) 2021.
12: Current 93 : "Soft As The Sun" (Chrysallida) 2021.
13: Current 93 : "Caresse" (L.A.Y.L.A.H. AntiRecords) 1984.
14: Falx Cerebri : "Doom" (Korm Plastics D) 2022.
15: Muckrackers : "Prends Garde" (LFA) 2015.
16: Modelbau : "Object Of The Attack" (Grisaille) 2022.
17: Sisters Of Mercy : "Alice" (Merciful Release) 1982.
18: Joy Division : "Shadowplay" (Factory Records) 1979.
19: Het Zweet : "Indus I" (Korm Plastics D) 2022.
It was great to be back in the studio again, the magickal Chris (again) made it all happen and Tony Whitehead and Nathan Carter joined in the fun. Edgar built pencil art and Isabel took pictures ...
No comments:
Post a Comment