Chances are, if you collect records, you’ll also have a wants list. It could be scrawled in pencil on myriad scraps of paper, meticulously catalogued and researched on discogs, or carried around in one’s head as you go from venue to venue. The infamous concept of the ‘wants list’ is as essential to the art of collecting records as...a stamp to an envelope; wheels to a car; or...well you get the idea. They are intrinsically linked together. Here is a rundown of my most wanted records. Music doesn’t get any better than this:
1: Antiloop – In My Mind [12”]
Cheesy late 90s euro-dance flavoured trancy old schoolness? Yes please!
Antiloop – In My Mind
[Fluid : FLUT 520/573 569-1]
(1997)
2: Steve Poindexter – Computer Madness [12” EP]
Computer sounding tracks were very common in the 90s. Sampling everything from mobile phone interference to the ubiquitous modem data transfer, which incidentally can be heard in the Antiloop track above, making things sound computerised became standard fair. Then again, back in the 80s the standard patterns of sampled electronic screams and raw synth tones had yet to be set. With an nod to synth pioneers like Raymond Scott and 70s sci-fi synth movie scores, Steve Poindexter gives us a template for the computer sounds synth tune of the future.
Steve Poindexter – Computer Madness (Work That Mutha Fucker EP)
[Muzique Records : MR-001]
(1989)
3: Lisa Lougheed - Run With Us [7”]
When I were a wee lad, Saturday mornings meant one thing; Live & Kicking. You can probably work out my age when I tell you that this gem of children’s television programming was presented by Andi Peters (of Broomcloset fame) and Emma Forbes. I can even remember the phone number, and the melody of the jingle which announced it, such is the power of television on the impressionable mind. 0181 811 81 81 if you’re interested.
Live & Kicking featured an exceptionally high quality cartoon which revolved around the lives of the denizens of Evergreen Forrest. The Racoons offered quasi-socialist messages about social cohesion and inclusion in a generally grown up way. The theme tune was allegedly played by Live & Kicking in its entirety due to popular demand. I like to think I sort of vaguely remember this, though there is almost probably an element of suggestion going on here. Regardless, Run With Us is a great pop tune; one which is also incredibly difficult to get hold of.
Lisa Lougheed - Run With Us
[Run : RN-001L]
(1987)
4: The Merry Thoughts - Millennium Done I: Empire Songs [CD]
Depending on your perspective, The Merry Thoughts are either everything the Sisters of Mercy should have been but weren’t when Von E released the entirely substandard Vision Thing, or a sad and tired attempt at imitation. Millennium Done is the first album of a depressingly small back catalogue. Two albums and two singles just isn’t enough. Who now will continue to rise and reverberate?
The Merry Thoughts - Millennium Done I: Empire Songs
[Dion Fortune : BN 468]
(1993)
5: The Frozen Autumn - Fragments Of Memories: Painted Girls (CD)
Slightly eccentric Italian synth-goth with a melody reminiscent of How2’s them tune. I have no idea what the rest of their music sounds like, but this tune is enough to justify buying the album. I first heard this on a podcasted radio show called the Night Shift several years ago which is now sadly defunct.
The Frozen Autumn - Fragments Of Memories: Painted Girls
[Eibon : FZA 007]
(1997)
6: Frank Klepaki – Command & Conquer: Red Alert [CD]
Just because it’s a game doesn’t mean that the music isn’t good! With the original Command & Conquer, Frank Klepaki showed the world just how important a soundtrack could be in making or breaking a game. Indeed, C&C can be seen as a key milestone in the gaming industry, marking the slow progression from geeky pastime to multi-trillion dollar entertainment industry, focusing more and more on enrapturing the consciousness into a totally submersive environment. Everyone associates Hell March with Red Alert, but the other tracks provide a gold mine of synthy industrial bliss. Oh, the countless hours of my life I want back from this game.
Frank Klepaki – Command & Conquer: Red Alert
[Electronic Arts : EACD6]
(1996)
7: Umek – Lanicor [12”]
Pure, unadulterated, looped techno love. The sort of tune you have to have on vinyl - twice. Then you can cut, chop and back cue ‘till people on the dancefloor pass out from heat exhaustion. Shame Umek has gone all minimal electro mainstream nonsense now isn’t it?
Umek – Lanicor
[Consumer Recreation : kupec 001]
(1999)
8: Dusty Kid – The Cat [12”]
Over the last few years, while everyone has had their eyes on minimal as the ‘underground’ and elector as the ‘overground’ lingua franca, most have missed the quiet but sustained resurgence in the popularity of Acid House. For the main part, I’m not too convinced. I do love the fact that bleepy squelches are back in fashion, but when it’s done with shiny digital recording techniques, and soft synth 303s, it definitely looses the charm of simplicity and dirt of hardware. That being said, Dusty Kid’s offering is a nice number. His album, A Raver’s Diary provides a number of dirty techy cuggers and is well worth a listen.
Dusty Kid – The Cat
[Southern Fried : ECB124]
(2007)
9: Video Dave – Let Me See You Sweat: Booty People (Wilko Remix) [12”]
Inhabiting that frequently cross pollinated realm between electro and Detroit techno is this superb remix from Wilko. While slightly on the short and repetitive side, this is one that’s designed only for short snappy drops, quickly mixing into something else.
Video Dave – Let Me See You Sweat: Booty People (Wilko Remix)
[Pimp Records : PIMP 007]
(Sine Annus)
10: F&W - You Will Understand [12”]
The 2003/2004 trance revival began picking up steam with the introduction of this monster. Helping establish the side chain compression effect as the over used production cliché of the 2000's, its dark techy sound is still worth tracking down now.
F&W - You Will Understand
[F&W : FWRECV001]
(2003)
1: Antiloop – In My Mind [12”]
Cheesy late 90s euro-dance flavoured trancy old schoolness? Yes please!
Antiloop – In My Mind
[Fluid : FLUT 520/573 569-1]
(1997)
2: Steve Poindexter – Computer Madness [12” EP]
Computer sounding tracks were very common in the 90s. Sampling everything from mobile phone interference to the ubiquitous modem data transfer, which incidentally can be heard in the Antiloop track above, making things sound computerised became standard fair. Then again, back in the 80s the standard patterns of sampled electronic screams and raw synth tones had yet to be set. With an nod to synth pioneers like Raymond Scott and 70s sci-fi synth movie scores, Steve Poindexter gives us a template for the computer sounds synth tune of the future.
Steve Poindexter – Computer Madness (Work That Mutha Fucker EP)
[Muzique Records : MR-001]
(1989)
3: Lisa Lougheed - Run With Us [7”]
When I were a wee lad, Saturday mornings meant one thing; Live & Kicking. You can probably work out my age when I tell you that this gem of children’s television programming was presented by Andi Peters (of Broomcloset fame) and Emma Forbes. I can even remember the phone number, and the melody of the jingle which announced it, such is the power of television on the impressionable mind. 0181 811 81 81 if you’re interested.
Live & Kicking featured an exceptionally high quality cartoon which revolved around the lives of the denizens of Evergreen Forrest. The Racoons offered quasi-socialist messages about social cohesion and inclusion in a generally grown up way. The theme tune was allegedly played by Live & Kicking in its entirety due to popular demand. I like to think I sort of vaguely remember this, though there is almost probably an element of suggestion going on here. Regardless, Run With Us is a great pop tune; one which is also incredibly difficult to get hold of.
Lisa Lougheed - Run With Us
[Run : RN-001L]
(1987)
4: The Merry Thoughts - Millennium Done I: Empire Songs [CD]
Depending on your perspective, The Merry Thoughts are either everything the Sisters of Mercy should have been but weren’t when Von E released the entirely substandard Vision Thing, or a sad and tired attempt at imitation. Millennium Done is the first album of a depressingly small back catalogue. Two albums and two singles just isn’t enough. Who now will continue to rise and reverberate?
The Merry Thoughts - Millennium Done I: Empire Songs
[Dion Fortune : BN 468]
(1993)
5: The Frozen Autumn - Fragments Of Memories: Painted Girls (CD)
Slightly eccentric Italian synth-goth with a melody reminiscent of How2’s them tune. I have no idea what the rest of their music sounds like, but this tune is enough to justify buying the album. I first heard this on a podcasted radio show called the Night Shift several years ago which is now sadly defunct.
The Frozen Autumn - Fragments Of Memories: Painted Girls
[Eibon : FZA 007]
(1997)
6: Frank Klepaki – Command & Conquer: Red Alert [CD]
Just because it’s a game doesn’t mean that the music isn’t good! With the original Command & Conquer, Frank Klepaki showed the world just how important a soundtrack could be in making or breaking a game. Indeed, C&C can be seen as a key milestone in the gaming industry, marking the slow progression from geeky pastime to multi-trillion dollar entertainment industry, focusing more and more on enrapturing the consciousness into a totally submersive environment. Everyone associates Hell March with Red Alert, but the other tracks provide a gold mine of synthy industrial bliss. Oh, the countless hours of my life I want back from this game.
Frank Klepaki – Command & Conquer: Red Alert
[Electronic Arts : EACD6]
(1996)
7: Umek – Lanicor [12”]
Pure, unadulterated, looped techno love. The sort of tune you have to have on vinyl - twice. Then you can cut, chop and back cue ‘till people on the dancefloor pass out from heat exhaustion. Shame Umek has gone all minimal electro mainstream nonsense now isn’t it?
Umek – Lanicor
[Consumer Recreation : kupec 001]
(1999)
8: Dusty Kid – The Cat [12”]
Over the last few years, while everyone has had their eyes on minimal as the ‘underground’ and elector as the ‘overground’ lingua franca, most have missed the quiet but sustained resurgence in the popularity of Acid House. For the main part, I’m not too convinced. I do love the fact that bleepy squelches are back in fashion, but when it’s done with shiny digital recording techniques, and soft synth 303s, it definitely looses the charm of simplicity and dirt of hardware. That being said, Dusty Kid’s offering is a nice number. His album, A Raver’s Diary provides a number of dirty techy cuggers and is well worth a listen.
Dusty Kid – The Cat
[Southern Fried : ECB124]
(2007)
9: Video Dave – Let Me See You Sweat: Booty People (Wilko Remix) [12”]
Inhabiting that frequently cross pollinated realm between electro and Detroit techno is this superb remix from Wilko. While slightly on the short and repetitive side, this is one that’s designed only for short snappy drops, quickly mixing into something else.
Video Dave – Let Me See You Sweat: Booty People (Wilko Remix)
[Pimp Records : PIMP 007]
(Sine Annus)
10: F&W - You Will Understand [12”]
The 2003/2004 trance revival began picking up steam with the introduction of this monster. Helping establish the side chain compression effect as the over used production cliché of the 2000's, its dark techy sound is still worth tracking down now.
F&W - You Will Understand
[F&W : FWRECV001]
(2003)
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