Minimal Wave

MW024 Martin Lloyd - L'Amant Electronique 7" EP

Minimal Wave presents an exquisite 7" EP release by Martin Lloyd entitled "L'Amant Electronique". Martin is mainly known for his Oppenheimer Analysis (MW) and Analysis (Survival Records) projects, yet through the years he recorded over two dozen tracks on his own, most of which never saw the light of day. The four selected tracks were recorded between 1980 and 1984 in his own "Feedback Studios" in Battersea, London. Martin Lloyd delivers vocals via the vocoder and carefully layers synth melodies which range from upbeat and danceable, to what could be the soundtrack to a 1981 post-apocalyptic science fiction film. The record is pressed on white vinyl with a heavy black jacket (spot gloss) and is limited to 999 hand-numbered copies. Updated catalog link and sound samples coming soon.

MW023 Futurisk - Player Piano LP

Minimal Wave presents the long awaited 30th anniversary release by Futurisk. Originally from Florida, Futurisk was a pioneering electro-punk group that recorded and performed in the pre-midi era of the early '80s. They had two vinyl releases that sold out : The Sound Of Futurism 1980 / Army Now and the Player Piano EP. They played a legendary live show and had some TV appearances and videos (check their video for Army Now here), but for a number of reasons by 1984 Futurisk was history. The Player Piano LP culls material they recorded between 1980-1982, featuring all the tracks from their two 7" releases as well as some early 4 track tapes and rare studio recordings. The record is pressed on 180 gram vinyl, comes in a matte printed innersleeve (with old photos and press) and orange matte outer jacket. Check the sound samples here and purchase the LP here.

MW022 Deux - Decadence LP

V/A The Minimal Wave Tapes CD/2LP/Digital

Minimal Wave is proud to present a full length LP by French duo Deux. Gérard Pelletier and Cati Tete formed Deux after meeting in Lyon in 1981. Their music can be described as minimal synth with stripped down rhythm compositions and suitably cold duets. Their influences are a perfect blend of Kraftwerk and French synthpop. Between 1983 and 1992, they released a cassette and several rare singles. They also appeared on the V/A BIPP LP (2006) and most recently on V/A The Minimal Wave Tapes: Vol 1 LP. Check out their Felicita video here. The Decadence LP will feature selections of their old material, newly remastered. It is a hand numbered edition, pressed on 180 gram vinyl and housed in a heavy matte jacket. Check the sound samples here and purchase the LP here.

Minimal Wave: both a genre of underground DIY electronic music from North America and Europe in the late 1970s and 80s, and the name of the label devoted to unearthing these recordings. The Minimal Wave Tapes is the first official anthology (on CD, LP and digital) of Minimal Wave music from this label. Most of the songs were originally released on limited edition cassettes or vinyl by the artists themselves, and only a handful of people knew about them. They’ve been remastered from their analog source tapes and compiled here by Minimal Wave's Veronica Vasicka and Stones Throw's Peanut Butter Wolf. The double LP version is now exclusively available via Stones Throw and Minimal Wave. Purchase it here. Now available on CD. Release date world: January 26, 2010.

MW021 In Aeternam Vale - s/t LP

And finally, the fourth release in our series to celebrate Minimal Wave's 4 Year Anniversary is a full length album by cult French band In Aeternam Vale. Having made over 200 recordings, I.A.V. were one of the most prolific bands of the French underground scene. Headed by Laurent Prot and featuring Pascal Aubert, the band released many cassettes illustrated with Laurent's wonderful collage work. Their sound is extremely original, overflowing with character, and crossing between genres: electro, minimal, noise, and even garage. "With the passing of time, In Aeternam Vale's work remains astonishingly powerful, cold and caustic with its uncompromising minimalism, but also provocative and capable to smash your ass on the dance-floor"(-Douche Froide Magazine, 2002). The record is pressed on 180 gram clear vinyl and comes in a heavyweight matte jacket with cover artwork by Laurent. Check the sound samples and images here. Purchase it here.

MW020 Turquoise Days - Alternative Strategies

Minimal Wave presents a full length album by synthpop band Turquoise Days. Hailing from Jersey, Channel Islands, Turquoise Days was formed in 1981 by Luciano Brambilla and David Le Breton. Throughout the 1980s, they self-released many cassettes, as well as the renowned masterpiece Grey Skies / Blurred 7". They were selected for the Radio Luxembourg song contest in 1985 and received press for their releases and appearance there. Their music can be described as melodic, emotive new wave. Watch their Channel TV appearance here. The record is pressed on 180 gram white vinyl and comes in a matte heavyweight jacket designed by Phil Yamada accompanied by a matching poster. Check the sound samples and images here. Purchase this release here.

MW019 Das Ding - H.S.T.A. LP

Minimal Wave presents a full length album by Dutch electro pioneer, Das Ding. Das Ding is Danny Bosten, who was active in the early 1980s releasing his music and friends’ music via his own cassette label called Tear Apart Tapes. While studying graphic design in art school, he designed all the tape covers himself. Meanwhile, he recorded his own music as Das Ding. Powerful dark electro, some tracks are quite addictive and danceable while others are more for at home listening enjoyment. The dancefloor killer is somewhere between Reassurance Ritual and H.S.T.A. The record features lovingly remastered tracks, and is pressed on 180 gram vinyl with a printed inner sleeve featuring Danny's drawings. Click here for images and samples. Purchase this release here.

MW018 Circuit 7 - Video Boys LP

Minimal Wave presents a full length LP by UK band Circuit 7. Circuit 7 is Martyn Good and Andy Partington who made essential new wave, releasing two 7" singles in 1984, Video Boys and Modern Story followed by the release of two songs on a highly sought after compilation called The Offering Of Isca .
The LP features both previously released and unreleased tracks (including the single version of Video Boys as well as an unreleased studio version), is pressed on neon green 180 gram vinyl and comes in an inner sleeve printed with all their lyrics as well as a heavy weight outer jacket.
Check out the Video Boys single here, and their band photos here.
Click here for images and sound samples. Purchase this release here.

MW017 Moderne - 017 (double LP+poster)

Out now: A limited edition double 180 gram vinyl LP release of Moderne's: Moderne (1980) & L'Espionne Aimait La Musique (1981), remastered from the original analog reels and housed in a matte laminate gatefold jacket with an 18"x"24" poster featuring an interview, and band photo.
Moderne was a minimal/synthpop band formed in Tours, France in 1979. After releasing two albums & two singles between 1980-1981, nothing was heard from Moderne aside from "Switch on Bach" (released on the compilation So Young But So Cold). Moderne remains notoriously hidden in the past, and their albums and singles have become collectors' items. The albums were mixed by Joschko Rudas and Henning Schmitz at Studio Rudas Düsseldorf, the same studio Kraftwerk used for Man Machine (1978). The production is exceptional. This is French new wave at its best. Check the image samples here: front, inside, and back. Purchase the release here. (Order direct and receive a free CD version of the release!).

MW016 Bal Paré 4 song 7" EP

Out now! Minimal Wave presents a 4 song 7" EP by legendary German band Bal Paré. The band was formed in 1980 by Kirsten Klemm, Manfred Asmus and Matthias Schuster. Schuster, the brainchild behind the band, is also known for these projects: Geisterfahrer, Im Namen Des Volkes, Jeanette Und Das Land Z, and Das Institut.
The four songs were recorded between 1981-1984 and are all previously unreleased. The songs range from really original, danceable dark synth with an early industrial feel to warmer synth pop, the last song featuring Kirsten on vocals. On colored vinyl with a hand silk screened heavy card stock jacket, a beautiful release, limited to 600 numbered copies. Special thanks to Kristamas Klousch for the cover photo!
Check the sound samples and images here. Buy the 7" here.