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DE-020 Europa - La Última Emoción! -LP
Europa was a short-lived synthpop group from Valencia, Spain formed in 1980 by Julio “Nexus” Pastor (synthesizers), Alfonso Aguado (vocals, guitar), Lino Oviaño (vocals, drum machine), and José Luis Macias (synthesizers). The quartet championed the use of synthesizers, drum machines and other polyphonic gadgets in a city that was stuck in the throws of progressive rock. They recorded and released their only album La Última Emoción in 1981 on cassette, released by DAI (Division Avanzada Independiente) a label interested in bands “capable of building electronic sounds from drum machines, sequencers, synths and effects, rather than conventional instruments like guitars and basses.”
The original issue of La Última Emoción was a single-sided cassette and limited to 500 copies. The band mixed all the tracks at their home studio using a Roland Juno 60, Casiotone 202, Korg Polysix, MS-20, MS-10 and the KR-55 drum machine. As part of the Spanish Techno-pop movement of the 1980s, Europa’s songs featured arpeggiated synthesizers and upbeat drum machines that flashback to the sound of Vince Clarke’s Depeche Mode days. Comparisons could be made to other Spanish Techno-pop bands like Aviador Dro, Vocoder or Metal y Ca but Europa weaved a unique style of driving, energetic rhythms, bouncy keyboards and soaring vocals perfect for dancing or speeding into outer space. Shorty after their debut release the band would switch their name to Última Emoción releasing an EP in 1983 and an album in 1984 before breaking up. Alfonso Aguado went on to front Los Inhumanos, Julio Pastor launched the Valencia techno bands Megabeat and Interfront, while José Luis Macias and Lino Oviaño formed Comité Cisne. In 2010 the original Europa line-up reformed to play a few select live shows celebrating the re-issue of their 1984 cassette Máquinas Románticas on Turia Records of Spain. Their sound remains clean, rhythmic and futuristically strange, transporting crowds to another dimension.
All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley for vinyl. Each LP includes an 8-page booklet originally housed in the 1981 cassette long-box complete with bi-lingual liner notes, lyrics and photos. 30 years later the futuristic sounds of Europa are ready to usher in another new wave.
Sound clips of all songs here: http://soundcloud.com/darkentriesrecords/sets/europa-la-ultima-emocion/
LP $16
DE-019 System Liliputt – Harpa -LP
System Liliputt was the solo project of Geir Vasseng from the Stavanger area of Norway in the early 1980s. He released one cassette, Harpa a mini-album of 6 songs in Feburary 1984 on his own label Geva Tapes & Studio that was limited to 150 copies. 27 years later Dark Entries has baked and transferred the original master tapes, adding 5 bonus tracks, restoring this lost piece of Norsk D.I.Y. dark post-punk.
Harpa, in its entirety and all the demos were recorded in Geir’s home studio from November 1982 to September 1983. All tracks were written, produced, recorded and performed by Geir without the involvement of any others. Influenced by the darker/melodic post-punk bands Young Marble Giants, Fra Lippo Lippi and Seventeen Seconds/Faith era Cure, System Liliputt created rich atmospheres with intricate guitar work, ethereal synths and sombre vocals. Whereas the original six Hapra songs capture a brooding and downbeat feel the demos showcase Vasseng’s ability to write a catchy, wistful pop song with minimally treated instruments.
All tracks have been carefully remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley for the first time on vinyl. The original cassette included six inlay cards with lyrics which are re-printed here along with English translations by Geir’s son! Another piece of Norway’s rich post-punk past is ready for your ears.
Sound clips of all songs here: http://soundcloud.com/darkentriesrecords/sets/system-liliputt-harpa/
LP $16
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The final two releases of 2011 are dropping on Halloween, October 31st:
The Danse Society - Demos Vol. 1 LP
Vita Noctis – Against the Rule 2xLP (co-release with Minimal Maximal Records)
