E-MAN – E-Man LP NO 2009 HRLP002 14 Tracks 50’01’‘
E-MAN was the first project of Norwegian musician Geir Jenssen (electronics, well-known from being in Bel Canto and especially Biosphere) with guest vocalists Ragnar “Spiss” Larsen and Frank Jensen, and Per Martinsen on additional electronics. They only released one cassette on Likvider in 1984 (LIKV 4025) with tracks recorded in 1983/84. Originally, it was meant to be a C-46, but it was re-edited to a C-30, meaning four cuts had to be left off. These tracks are now back on the list, and the LP also features an unreleased early bonus track. For various reasons one can say that E-MAN was the Norwegian twin-brother of Belgian project Twilight Ritual (and its related projects Linear Movement and Autumn). First because of the instrumentation: Geir used a Roland TR-808 with sequencers and second, Geir did not restrict himself to (synth)pop structures but added already much soul and atmosphere into the compositions. Already the first track “The Difference” sounds perfectly like the best synthpop moments of Linear Movement. “De Du Da Da Di” has very clear Kraftwerk and Cybotron (Juan Atkins) influences, too. “The Upland” (parts I to IV) or “Hosono” are Twilight Ritual tracks par excellence. Also featured and finally available is the track “Great Nations” which was already well-known in the minimal electronics circles, a masterpiece of simple electropop, and very very similar to Oppenheimer Analysis. And so happy that also now “Jeg Er Moderne” is available on vinyl, one of the best electropop tracks ever ever ever – listen to that sequence and melodies, oh Anna is melting away every time she hears that song. Then equally great and again Linear Movement-like “Nibsy the Newsboy” … Remastered by Geir Jenssen and Veronica Vasicka, this (re-)release was so over-due! If you like any of the aforementioned bands, then there is no way that you could pass on this. Norway, 12 points from Germany! FYI: Also recently released as MC on The Tapeworm (TTW#10).
LPs are new, 180 grams vinyl and limited to 500 copies.
Price: EUR 17,50 plus postage & packaging (at Anna’s)
VARIOUS ARTISTS - THE TEMPTATION TAPES Volume 1 LP NO 2009 HRLP003 10 Tracks 40’47’‘
Norwegian TOR DYBDAHL is not an unknown figure in the underground electropop music world. He was a member of CLOCKWORK ORANGE (which also featured Jan Berg who was also in Blue Mathue; and Erik Avnskog), DOWNERS (with Geir Sinding and Erik Avnskog) and HORSEMEN (with Rune Annaniassen, Kim Tangen, Matti Hansen) who all released one 7” on the Temptation Records label which was actually run by Tor himself. Those 7”s have been highly acclaimed and sought-after records since many years, and interest in those project has surely increased after their inclusion on the Norsk Synth compilation “Maskindans” on Hommage Records. Anna has actually gotten in contact with Tor already a few years back, but due to other obligations and projects it was agreed it’d be a much better idea to have Tor’s music be released on Norwegian label Hommage run by Oystein Moe. So finally many unreleased tracks see the light of day, by all aforementioned bands as well as a fourth project named THE FRENCH CONNECTION which seems to have been Tor’s solo efforts. All tracks date from between 1983 and 1987, and basically this is a pop album with tracks ranging from pure electropop and balladesque tracks with piano to New Wave pop or Indie pop with bass and sparse guitars with some references to The Cure and almost Nick Cave, but always with a unique Dybdahlian touch. The songs have been remastered from the original 4-track cassettes. As always happy to see and hear the Norwegian underground music history being dug out of its dusty past.
LPs are new, 180 grams vinyl, include an insert and limited to 500 copies. And: the first 14 copies come signed by Tor, Geir and Jan!!!
Price: EUR 17,50 plus postage & packaging (at Anna’s)
