lunedì 1 ottobre 2012

PREMIERE: MUSHY + A.R. KANE, “MY LIFE SO FAR”


Fresh off the news that the new Mushy album (Breathless) is set to drop on November 19th through Mannequin Records, we’re psyched to share the title track of the Italian singer/producer’s new 12”, My Life So Far. Follow its dub-y downward spiral—featuring 4AD alums A.R. Kane—below, and grab the limited single on October 15th…


domenica 13 maggio 2012

Newclear Waves - The Black Hand

 buy lp/digital: newclearwaves.bandcamp.com/album/newclear-waves-s-t-lp-desire-records 


Hailing from Rome – Italy, Newclear Waves is essentially the  solo  project  of  Alessandro  Adriani,  mind  and  boss  of  Mannequin  Records,  one  of    the  most  important  synth  wave  /  cold  wave  labels  around,  with  contributions  from  Oksana  Xiu, an academic russian musician devoted to analog synths.  Deeply  influenced  by  the  works  of  the  early  minimal  electronics  sounds  on  Mute  Records  and  4AD,  Newclear  Waves  is  exploring  droned  out  electro  pop  territories  with  
an  interest  for  a  refreshing  hyperactive  80s  New  Wave.  finding  his  own  identity  somewhere  between  Snowy  Red,  The Normal and the first Human League.  

Having turned out releases on Mannequin Records, the duo is now presenting a full‐lenght ten  tracks  collection  of  caliginous  pure  analog  minimal  synth  on  the  way  on  Desire  Records,  french  Cold  Wave  and  Electro  Wave  label,  focused  both  in  new  artists  and  stunning  reissues  from 4AD like Mass, In Camera and Dance Chapter. 

NW  releases  received  many  features  in  important  magazines,  such  as  The  Wire,  Still  Single  
and  20  Jazz  Funk  Greats,  an  was  playing  besides  artists  such  as  Xeno  &  Oaklander,  The  
Hacker,  Gesaffelstein,  Fred  Ventura,  Veronica  Vasicka  (Minimal  Wave)  and  many  others,  
across Europe and United States.  

Newclear  Waves  was  also  producing  remixes  for  bands  like  Soft  Metals,  Joie  Noire,  Der  Noir  
and Mushy.  

Alessandro  Adriani  was  born  and  raised  in  Rome,  Italy  and  in  2008  he  launched  Mannequin  
Records  label  and  mailorder  and  has  been  focused  on  that  ever  since.  Aside  from  the  label,  he  
was producing tracks in his own Mannequin studio for some of the best new bands from Italy,  like  Mushy,  Der  Noir  and  Ancien  Régime.  He  also  DJs  in  many  clubs  around  the  world,  mixing  in vinyl only some of the best italo‐cosmic‐minimalsynth‐electrowave tunes.  

Oksana Xiu was born in Estonia, studied academic music in Russia. Academic knowledges had  a deep impact in the creative process of her musical entity. During several years she also sang  in the church's choir which is undoubtedly had influenced her work.  

 “'Cold Wave battle uptown. Now'”  
‐ The Wire 
  
“You want names? You don’t get them as since yesterday I will compare Newclear Waves only  
with Newclear Waves, simply as they’re brilliant.”  ­ 
- Peek‐A‐Boo Magazine   

“If I had a goth/minimal wave dance night I would play Newclear Waves’ side. The only thing  
better than being alone is being alone in a crowd. ” ­  
- Still Single   

Websites  
http://newclearwaves.tumblr.com  
http://soundcloud.com/newclear‐waves  
http://newclearwaves.bandcamp.com/ 

venerdì 11 maggio 2012

Stream Tropic Of Cancer’s Permissions Of Love EP in full


Like the Henry Miller novel of the same name, Tropic Of Cancer deal in the dark, the obsessive and the sexually charged.

Camella Lobo’s dark-eyed solo project finds a creepy middle ground between early Eighties coldwave and bruised indie rock. Having turned out releases on the likes of Downwards and Blackest Ever Black, the ensemble now have a new three-track collection of caliginous electro-pop on the way on Mannequin. Permissions Of Love sees the band elaborating their trademark sound. Lobo and co are clearly not averse to tampering with a winning formula; the graceful ‘Beneath The Light’ in particular shows them assimilating previously unheard influences into their shadowy soundworld. ‘The One Left’ is tougher fare than usual, and the dreamy ‘It’s All Come Undone’ highlights the softer elements of their sound.

FACT have an exclusive stream of the record here.

Permissions Of Love is available on 12″ on May 28 on Mannequin and available on pre order here.

mercoledì 9 maggio 2012

Newclear Waves S/T LP 2012 Desire Records

Desire Records is proud to announce the release of subtitled debut album by Italian synth-wave masters Newclear Waves.


Hailing from Rome, exploring droned out electro pop territories with an interest for a refreshing hyperactive 80s New Wave, Newclear Waves’ soundscapes seem to surround a fruitful visual-graphical imaginary which deals with mass consumption, apocalyptic visions, weird machineries, post-modernism and the order of chaos. A promising new coming in the universe of home made electronic avant-gardism.
 

martedì 1 maggio 2012

MNQ 023 Tropic Of Cancer - Permissions Of Love 12'' EP




Mannequin is really proud to  announce the forthcoming brand new 12'' from Tropic of Cancer, one the most important realities in the modern post-punk and darkwave scene.

Essentially the solo project of LA-based Camella Lobo, with contributions from John Mendez (aka Sandwell District’s Silent Servant) and Taylor Burch (DVA Damas) and after two sold-out releases on labels Blackest Ever Black and Downwards, Tropic Of Cancer have stoked their slow burning reputation into the makings of what isbeing referred to as a 'modern classic.'

Though Tropic Of Cancer's sound has been called gothic, cold wave and drone pop, the band's take on their influences isanything but nostalgic. Lobo and Mendez have managed to imbue their own elusive gaze and craft a strangely beautiful and intoxicating sound in the wake of theirpredecessors.

The three tracks on this new 12'' take us gently by the hand into a slowed-down opium dream - it's like watching the desert from the same stark corners where Lyciastood many years ago.

This EP gathers the primal thrust of their bleak Post-Punk (think about Cultural Decay shaking hands with Section 25 in their psychedelic/buddhist years) and Minimal Wave aesthetics with this entirely new dimension in the music of TOC – heartfelt and deep.

Cold waves have never been so warm.

Tracklisting:

A - The One Left
B1 - Beneath The Light
B2 - It's All Come Undone

12'' EP Version: Limited edition of 500 copies

PRE ORDER

DIGITAL Version: Distribution through The Orchard in the most important digital stores (iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, Nokia, Spotify and many others).

DIGITAL PRE ORDER


Newclear Waves S/T LP out now!!!


Desire is proud to announce the release of subtitled debut album by Italian synth-wave masters Newclear Waves. Hailing from Rome, exploring droned out electro pop territories with an interest for a refreshing hyperactive 80s New Wave, Newclear Waves’ soundscapes seem to surround a fruitful visual-graphical imaginary which deals with mass consumption, apocalyptic visions, weird machineries, post-modernism and the order of chaos.





 300 copies pressed on hi-quality black vinyl. 3 panels die-cut sleeve + printed innersleeve



NW releases received many features in important magazines, such as The Wire, Still Single and 20 Jazz Funk Greats, and he was playing besides artists such as Xeno & Oaklander, Daybed, The Hacker, Gesaffelstein, Fred Ventura, Veronica Vasicka (Minimal Wave), Pieter Schoolwerth (Wierd Records), Post Romantic Empire festival (w/ Current 93, Mouse On Mars, Legowelt and many more). Band Members: AA - synths, composition, lyrics, vocals Xiu - live synths, vocals

giovedì 12 aprile 2012

U.V. PØP - No Songs Tomorrow LP/CD





Mannequin is honoured to offer you one of the best UK New Wave reissue from the 80's.

UV PØP were an early 80’s post-punk group from the South Yorkshire region of England. Their sound was regionally bleak and they used staccato, angular guitars lines, with vocals ranged from spoken repeated mantras to whispered and shouted political poetics. An excerpt from the album’s liner notes penned by JP Shea helps explain the political climate during which this album was recorded: “In the 1980s there was nothing to smile about; nothing to smile for. The person whom some called wrongly the iron lady brought vengeful spiteful selfishness and a narrow-minded out- look into all our lives. Instead of love and respect there was: a three-day week, Miners strike, and The Falklands War. The sound of UV PØP has always been a sophisticated blend of sadness; with morose North Country sense and a humorous confrontational sensibility. So, you might ask why ‘No Songs Tomorrow’? There is the answer. UV PØP and John White were as certain as anybody there was a strong possibility there might not be anything left with which to make a tomorrow….The fight back, the resistance came in the miners’ strike, on the streets of north Ireland and in the sovereignty of popular culture. And, there was plenty of that in Yorkshire and particularly in the southernmost parts of that region. Working class poets had not all died with the Victorians. The Rough Trade charts for one week in 1982 tell a very interesting story. Alongside acts of the caliber of Sisters of Mercy, Robert Wyatt, Sex Gang Children and Virgin Prunes are UV PØP, their place well-earned.”



We are honored to offer this reissue of their classic 1981 album and we look forward to bringing the band over to play some key shows in NY, LA, and Austin around this release.

Track listing:
01 No Songs Tomorrow
02 Portrait (Extended)
03 Some Win This
04 See You
05 I.C.
0 Psalm
07 Sleep Don’t Talk
08 Commitment
09 Arcade Fun
10 Hafunkiddies
11 Four Minute Warning

* For fans of Cabaret Voltaire, Wire, Public Image Ltd. No Songs Tomorrow was pressed originally pressed in a very small edition and has since been considered a very rare, highly sought after early 80’s post-punk classic

* CD includes 3 bonus tracks

sabato 7 aprile 2012

WR8 Rai Mixtape of Mannequin #3 presents MICK WILLS


For the 3rd WR8 Rai Mixtape, Mannequin is seriously proud to presents one-hour-long dj set of our favourite DJ in the world, Mick Wills.


Mick Wills starts his dj-career in 1986 at the tender age of 14, playing at small private parties in his hometown in the south of germany. He plays anything from new wave to hi nrg, and when he discovers techno, acid, and new beat in the late 80’s, there is no more stopping him. He can recite the mailorder hotline number from the hardwax record store in his sleep, but also finds old disco and funk records on fleamarkets and on record fairs.

In 1994, one night he spins together with DJ Hell. Hell is impressed: he gives wills the chance to spin in the legendary Ultraschall in Munich, also based on the mixtapes that wills keeps handing over to hell.

Around the same time he starts organizing parties in and around the city of stuttgart with his friend Isabella Venis. Under the moniker of ‘MB presents’ the duo bring artists like Klangstabil, Keith Tucker, Hell, Anthony “shake” Shakir, Jonzon, Claus Bachor, Roland Casper, Miss Kittin and The Hacker, John Selway, Trike, Terence Fixmer, Jay Denham, Electric Undigo, Inform3r, Legowelt, Tlr, Orgue Electronique, I-f, Rude 66 and Gitano d.j. (member of the Polygamy Boys) to their city.

In 1996 he collaborates with Klangstabil’s Maurizio Blanco in the studio and he knows from that moment that he wants to produce records as well as play them. as wills doesn’t like to do things half, it takes him several years to get a studio together and learn all the tricks of the trade, so on each of his following records you can hear wills’ progress in the studio.

He records his first tracks in 2001, and Hell’s Gigolo label immediately bites. the Atomic ep that also includes a remake of Bobby Orlando’s “Calling all the boys” by the Kinky Lovers is a success and two other mick wills releases and one track on the cd nine follow.

While signed to Ggolo, his dj-career takes off. with germany not big enough anymore, ‘the Gigolo from Porschetown’, spins blistering sets in places as diverse as mayday in Dortmund 2005, Barcelona’s loft, and clubs in Valencia, Moscow, London, Athens, Budapest, Bukarest, etc. his sets are described as ‘universal, global and neo-retrolectro’. they mix the best of over 25 years of dance music in a way that few dj’s can, effortlessly switching between the cutting edge of today’s sounds and vintage chicago, detroit, italo, hi nrg, wave, acid and electro. wills is a true music freak, an avid record collector and really does play like every night is his last. again and again and again...

Free Download the mixtape!

giovedì 5 aprile 2012

MNQ 028 UV PØP - No Songs Tomorrow LP / CD



Mannequin and Sacred Bones are honoured to join their forces to offer you one of the best UK New Wave reissue from the 80's. UV PØP were an early 80’s post-punk group from the South Yorkshire region of England. Their sound was regionally bleak and they used staccato, angular guitars lines, with vocals ranged from spoken repeated mantras to whispered and shouted political poetics. An excerpt from the album’s liner notes penned by JP Shea helps explain the political climate during which this album was recorded: “In the 1980s there was nothing to smile about; nothing to smile for. The person whom some called wrongly the iron lady brought vengeful spiteful selfishness and a narrow-minded out- look into all our lives. Instead of love and respect there was: a three-day week, Miners strike, and The Falklands War. The sound of UV PØP has always been a sophisticated blend of sadness; with morose North Country sense and a humorous confrontational sensibility. So, you might ask why ‘No Songs Tomorrow’? There is the answer. UV PØP and John White were as certain as anybody there was a strong possibility there might not be anything left with which to make a tomorrow….The fight back, the resistance came in the miners’ strike, on the streets of north Ireland and in the sovereignty of popular culture. And, there was plenty of that in Yorkshire and particularly in the southernmost parts of that region. Working class poets had not all died with the Victorians. The Rough Trade charts for one week in 1982 tell a very interesting story. Alongside acts of the caliber of Sisters of Mercy, Robert Wyatt, Sex Gang Children and Virgin Prunes are UV PØP, their place well-earned.”

We are honored to offer this reissue of their classic 1981 album and we look forward to bringing the band over to play some key shows in NY, LA, and Austin around this release.

martedì 3 aprile 2012

FREE DOWNLOAD WR8 Rai Mixtape of Mannequin #2













Free download on iTunes the Mannequin Session 002 from Wr8 Rai



TRACKLIST
01 Fondation - Quand Il Faut Parler D'Amour
02 Ataraxia (Mort Gartson) - Tarot
03 Twice A Man - Decay
04 Lister - The Bugaloo
05 Danton’S VoiceI Hear The BellsBuy
06 Ice The Falling Rain - Illusions
07 Section 25 - Looking From A HilltopBuy
08 New Order - Mesh
09 Broken Tabels - Image Of You
10 Det Gylne Triangel - Maskindans
11 Colouroid - Amor Y Néon
12 The Fallout Club - The Beat Boys
13 Vo Ese - Rike´S Birthday
14 S U R V I V E - Dreamerz
15 Newclear Waves - Where The Sea Stands Still
16 European Stage - Subterranean Wait
17 Spacemen 3 - Big City (Everybody I Know Can Be Found There)

Download

sabato 24 marzo 2012

FREE DOWNLOAD WR8 Rai Mixtape of Mannequin













Free download on iTunes the Mannequin Session 001 from Wr8 Rai



TRACKLIST
01 Martin Hall - Synthesis
02 Duet Emmo - The First Person
03 The Enter - The Contract
04 Autumn - Reach You From Behind My Walls
05 LASS Crime - I’ll Merry Go Round
06 Overlords - Secrets of the Universe
07 //TENSE// - Body Conscious
08 Ghibli - I’m Looking For You
09 Xeno & Oaklander - The Staircase (Live)
10 Sixth June - Come Closer
11 Octavius - Of Mask and Money
12 Frio - Someone Else

Download

giovedì 8 marzo 2012

Soft Metals - Psychic Driving (Newclear Waves Remix) (digital-only)



In July 2011, Soft Metals released their debut self-titled album on Captured Tracks to critical acclaim. Soft Metals is diverse record of forward-facing synth pop that still pays homage to a wide range of past influences, and so garnered the attention of a wide range of tastes.

This 12" gathers 5 remixes (8 with the digital download) that represent an even further reach of those tastes, from a host of friends and contemporaries: Copy, Xander Harris, VALIS, Yard, Casa del Mirto, The Soulless Party, Newclear Waves, and The Drum.

While these tracks are aimed squarely at the dance floor, their spirit reverberates even further, with a large part of the proceeds going directly to Doctors Without Borders, an organization of doctors & nurses that provide urgent care to victims of disaster & war.

Soft Metals - The Remixes, available in early May on Sweating Tapes limited edition vinyl, and through various digital outlets.

sabato 18 febbraio 2012

Rome On Air: Mannequin Records (SV) mixtape

"Mannequin Records is really pleased to join Satellite Voices with a pure minimal electronics mixtape, which is moving back and forth its time lancets from mid 70s to nowadays, exploring various territories and formats (tapes, 7'', vinyls). The opening is offered by Fondation, a French obscure band from 1980, mixed with Mort Gartson's Ataraxia 1975 project, described by the author itself as 'Electronic Musical Impressions of the Occult'. Being December, it was natural to move in the Scandinavian 'cold wave' 80s zone, with Twice A Man, Lister, Det Gylne Triangel and Danton's Voice killer track "I Hear The Bells", recently reissued by our lovely Veronica from Minimal Wave. On the other side, Ice The Falling Rain, with their b-side "Illusions", Section 25, New Order, The Fallout Club and Broken Tables are filling the 80s UK Synth Wave pack.

sabato 28 gennaio 2012

giovedì 26 gennaio 2012

Warm Dark Pocket – Warm Dark Pocket 12'' EP 1986












One of the rarest US wave releases by the duo from Nashville, Tennessee. Great intimate echoey male and female vox with uptempo rhythms and cold backgrounded guitars and choral synth textures. Another of the great obscuro DIY Tennesse synth/wave bands including Factual, Calculated X et al, Nashville truly had a nice scene in the middle part of the decade.

I think Crispy Nuggets already posted it but well, it's a new addition in my vinyls collection i want to share w/you all :-)

Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer – Robb Earls
Vocals, Synthesizer – Marilyn Blair

Tracklist

A1 Door Inside
A2 Pressure Zone
B1 The Other Side
B2 Shadows Burning

Faction Records – 06

Download