Madonna - Live To Tell 12''

Madonna

Live To Tell 12''

1986

Pop

USA

Tracklist:


"Live to Tell" (LP Version) – 5:49
"Live to Tell" (Edit) – 4:37
"Live to Tell" (Instrumental) – 5:49


     "Live to Tell" is a pop ballad by American singer-songwriter Madonna. Originally written by Patrick Leonard for the soundtrack of the film Fire with Fire, the song was shown to Madonna, who decided to use it for then-husband Sean Penn's film At Close Range. It was produced by Leonard and Madonna for her third studio album True Blue, released in mid-1986, later appearing as a remix on the 1990 compilation album The Immaculate Collection, in its original form on the 1995 ballads compilation album Something to Remember, and most recently on her third compilation album Celebration (again in its original form), released in September 2009.
     The song includes instrumentation from guitars, keyboards, drums and a synthesizer, and its lyrics deals with deceit, mistrust and childhood scars. It is also about being strong, which Madonna recalled in an interview that she thought about her relationship with her parents, while writing the lyrics. The music video, directed by James Foley, shows Madonna's first image makeover, featuring her with a cleaner look, shoulder-length wavy golden blond hair, conservative wardrobe and subtle make-up. This toned down blond appearance was again inspired by Marilyn Monroe.
     Released as the album's first single in March 1986, the song was a commercial success. It became Madonna's third number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, and her first number-one on the Adult Contemporary chart. It was generally well-received by music critics, who frequently referred to it as the best ballad of her career. The song faced controversy when Madonna performed it on her 2006 Confessions Tour wearing a crown of Thorns while hanging on a giant mirrored cross. The performance at Rome's Olympic Stadium was condemned as an act of hostility toward the Roman Catholic Church by religious leaders.

The Communards - So Cold The Night 12''

The Communards

So Cold The Night 12''

1986

Pop Dancepop

England

Tracklist:

So Cold The Night 9:12
When The Walls Come Tumbling Down 4:22
Never No More 2:58


     The Communards were a British pop duo active from 1985 to 1988. They are most famous for their cover of Thelma Houston's song, "Don't Leave Me This Way" as well as "Never Can Say Goodbye".
     The Communards formed in 1985 after singer Jimmy Somerville left his earlier band Bronski Beat to team up with classically-trained musician Richard Coles. Though mainly a pianist, Coles played a number of instruments and had been seen previously performing the clarinet solos on the Bronski Beat hit "It Ain't Necessarily So". They were joined by bass player Dave Renwick who had also played with Bronski Beat. Somerville was well-known for his falsetto singing style, and that he was openly gay during a period of increasing socio-political debate and conflict in the UK regarding homosexuality.
     The band had their first UK Top 30 hit in 1985 with the piano-based #30 single "You Are My World". The following year they had their biggest hit with an energetic cover version of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' soul classic "Don't Leave Me This Way" (in a version inspired by Thelma Houston's cover) which spent four weeks at number one and became the UK's biggest selling single of 1986. It also made the US Top 40. It featured Sarah Jane Morris as co-vocalist, taking advantage of the contrast between Morris' deep and rounded contralto and Somerville's soaring falsetto. Morris performed both backing and co-lead vocals on many of the Communards' other recordings, and appeared in group photos as an unofficial third member.
     Later that year The Communards had another UK Top 10 hit with the single "So Cold the Night," which reached number 8. In 1987, they released an album titled Red, which was partly produced by Stephen Hague. Red featured a cover version of the Jackson 5's hit "Never Can Say Goodbye" (in a version inspired by Gloria Gaynor's cover), which the Communards took to Number 4. Their last released single was "There's More to Love" in 1988, which reached Number 20 and was, consequently, their final Top 20 hit.
     They split in 1988 and Somerville began a solo career. Coles followed his Christian leanings and, after periods as a journalist for the Times Literary Supplement and Catholic Herald, he was ordained in the Church of England, spending time as the curate of St Botolph's (The Stump) in Boston, Lincolnshire. He is now the assistant priest at St Paul's Knightsbridge and Chaplain to the Royal College of Music.

Big Audio Dynamite - E=MC2 12''

Big Audio Dynamite

E=MC2 12''

1986

Post Punk Alternative Pop Rock 

England

Tracklist:


A E=MC2 (Extended Remix)
B This Is Big Audio Dynamite


     Big Audio Dynamite (later known as Big Audio Dynamite II and Big Audio, and often abbreviated BAD) are a British musical group formed in 1984 by the ex-guitarist and singer of The Clash, Mick Jones. The group is noted for their effective mixture of varied musical styles, incorporating elements of punk rock, dance music, hip hop, reggae, and funk. BAD's one constant throughout frequent shifts in membership and musical direction are the vocals provided by Mick Jones. After releasing a number of well-received albums and touring extensively throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Big Audio Dynamite disbanded in 1997, but have announced a reunion as of January 2011.
     "E=MC2" is a song written by Mick Jones, the guitarist and singer of The Clash and performed by his post-Clash band Big Audio Dynamite. It was included as the third track on their 1985 debut album This Is Big Audio Dynamite.
     The track is considered to be the first song to make use of highly defined sampling technologies. E=MC2 missed out on becoming a top ten hit in the UK, where it peaked at #11 and #37 in the U.S. dance chart becoming the band's most well-known song.


     Personnel

Big Audio Dynamite (1984–1990, 2011–present)
     Mick Jones – vocals and guitar
     Don Letts – sound effects and vocals
     Dan Donovan – keyboards
     Leo Williams – bass
     Greg Roberts – drums and background vocals
Big Audio Dynamite II (1990–1993)
     Mick Jones – vocals and guitar
     Nick Hawkins – guitar and background vocals
     Gary Stonadge – bass and background vocals
     Chris Kavanagh – drums and background vocals
Big Audio (1994–1995)
     Mick Jones – vocals and guitar
     Nick Hawkins – guitar and background vocals
     Gary Stonadge – bass and background vocals
     Chris Kavanagh – drums and background vocals
     Andre Shapps – keyboards
     Michael 'Zonka' Custance – DJ, percussion and background vocals
Big Audio Dynamite (1996–1998)
     Mick Jones – vocals and guitar
     Nick Hawkins – guitar
     Andre Shapps – keyboards
     Michael 'Zonka' Custance – Dj
     Darryl Fulstow – bass
     Bob Wond – drums
     Joe Attard – Mc vocals
     Ranking Roger – vocals

Age Of Chance - Kiss 12''

Age Of Chance

Kiss 12''

1986

Alternative Rock EDM

England

Tracklist:


01.Kiss
02.Kiss (Collision Cut)
03.Crash Conscious


     Age of Chance were a British alternative rock-dance crossover band from Leeds, England active from 1985 to 1991. They were perhaps most known for their mutant metallic cover of Prince's "Kiss" which topped the UK Indie Chart in 1986, and peaked at #50 in the UK Singles Chart in January the following year. Despite signing for major label Virgin, and being favourites with the UK music press, they never enjoyed a major hit in the UK, although "Don't Get Mad… Get Even" reached #5 in the US Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play chart.
     Musically they were a sonic collision of punk, hip hop, industrial rock and Northern soul. Steven E provided a distinctive strident nasal vocal style, often employing a megaphone. Striking cover art visuals were a collaboration between the group and The Designers Republic, who would go on to graphic design fame. They were contemporaries of Pop Will Eat Itself, whose music also featured rock guitar, dance beats and copious samples, and other early UK samplist groups such as Coldcut and The JAMMs.
   
Line-up

Steven Elvidge (mob-orator)
Geoff Taylor (all nite bass frequencies)
Neil Howson (power-noise generator)
Jan Perry (beat dominator)
Charles Hutchinson (singer on Mecca)


     Albums
Kiss Crush Collision (mini LP, 1986)
One Thousand Years of Trouble (1987)
Mecca (1990)
     Singles
"Motorcity" (1985)
"Bible of the Beats" (1986)
"The Twilight World of Sonic Disco EP" (1986)
"Kiss" (1986)(re-issued 1987)
"Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Noise" (1987)
"Don't Get Mad ... Get Even" (1987)
"Take It!" (1988)
"Time's Up" (1989)
"Higher Than Heaven" (1990)
"Playing With Fire" (1990)

Beargarden - All That Fall

Beargarden

All That Fall

1986

New Wave Synth Rock

Australia

Tracklist:


01. A Minute In Black & White
02. The Tell Tale Heart
03. A Year In The Shade
04. I Write The News
05. Drink Drink Drink
06. A Seaside Song
07. All That Fall
08. She's Crying
09. Bright Penny
10. Drink Drink Drink (Extended)
11. Instrumental No. 1 (Bonus Track)
12. Lounge (Bonus Track)


     Beargarden was a new wave band from Melbourne, Australia which, though well regarded critically, failed to achieve widespread success. It evolved directly from the post-punk group 'The Ears' which disbanded in 1981 and reformed under the new name with Ross Farnell replacing Cathy McQuade on bass. The other members were Sam Sejavka ( vocals) Mick Lewis (guitar), Carl Manuell (drums) and Gus Till (keyboards). Lewis was replaced later that year by Shane Andalou.

     All That Fall is the debut album by Australian New Wave group Beargarden. It was released in 1986 on Chase Records.
     Beargarden were selected by Virgin Records Australia as their first Australian signing. Under their new label the band released a single, "The Finer Things", which was produced by Ross Cockle at AAV studios in South Melbourne and released in October 1984 with a film clip directed by John Hillcoat and featuring a young Noah Taylor. The single however made little impact on the charts.
     In July 1985, Beargarden began recording their debut album, All That Fall, at Albert Studios in Sydney with producers Bruce Brown and Russel Dunlop. A second single, "I Write the News", resulted from these sessions. The B-side, "Sixty Perfect Windows", had been recorded previously at Richmond Recorders, Melbourne, and was produced by Michael Hutchence and Andrew Farris (Hutchence provides backing vocals for the track). A film clip for "I Write The News" was directed by Paul Goldman (Australian Rules, The Night They Called It a Day, The Ben Cousins Story).
     All That Fall took a great many months to complete and during this time the band's inner turmoil again boiled to the surface. Bassist Ross Farnell was replaced by Simon Polinski, and Shaun Andersen (brother of guitarist Shane Andalou) was recruited as second guitar. These changes exacerbated the band's pre-existing instability and, after the release of a third single "Drink Drink Drink"', it folded. Paul Goldman directed a clip for "Drink Drink Drink" but, given the suggestive nature of the song title and the mistaking of burning scarecrows for burning crucifixes by the producers of Countdown, it failed to air and the single made little impact.
     Beargarden's disintegration was accompanied by acrimony and incidents of poor and/or outrageous behaviour on stage. Virgin quickly divested themselves of the product and All That Fall was ultimately released to little fanfare on Chase Records, accompanied by a fourth and final single "A Seaside Song".
     Originally appearing on vinyl, it never received an official CD release, though in 2010 became available for download, initially through Bandcamp.

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry - Los Angeles 26-04-1986

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry

Los Angeles 26-04-1986

1986

Post Punk Gothic Rock

England

Tracklist:


01 Blitz
02 Shout At The Sky
03 Last Train
04 Jipp
05 Which Side
06 Hold Yourself Down
07 Talk About The Weather
08 Walking On Your Hands
09 Hand On Heart
10 Mescal Dance
11 Save My Soul
12 Hollow Eyes
13 Strange Dream


Red Lorry Yellow Lorry
Studio A
Los Angeles, CA
April 26 1986

Chris Reed - Vocals, Guitar
Dave Wolfenden - Guitar
Leon Philips - Bass
Chris Oldroyd - Drums


     Red Lorry Yellow Lorry are a rock band that were formed in Leeds, England in early 1981.
     The band was formed by guitarist/songwriter Chris Reed and vocalist Mark Sweeney, along with bassist Steve Smith and drummer Mick Brown (who would later join The Mission). Sweeney left the band in late 1981 and Reed permanently took over as vocalist, with Martin Fagan joining as a second guitarist. The group's sound, featuring a numbing guitar drone, powerfully throbbing drums, and Reed's cavernous vocal tones, caused the Lorries (as their fans came to call them) to be quickly lumped into the then-developing gothic rock scene by pop journalists, although the band themselves preferred to cite Wire as an influence.
     In 2003, Reed revived the name Red Lorry Yellow Lorry and released four new songs in 2004, available via internet download only on the band’s website. The band toured frequently in the UK during 2004 and 2005, but no additional Red Lorry Yellow Lorry material has subsequently appeared to date. In 2005, the band released Thunder in the Black Cave, a live DVD recorded in Belgium during their 2004 European tour. In 2006, Reed released an acoustic-based album, Minimal Animal, under the name "Chris Reed Unit".


     Albums
Talk about the Weather (1985)
Paint Your Wagon (1986)
Smashed Hits (1987) Collection
Nothing Wrong (1988)
Blow (1989)
Blasting Off (1991)
The Singles 1982 – 87 (1994) Collection
Generation (1994) Collection
The Very Best Of (2000) Collection
Nothing Wrong / Blow (2001)
     Singles and EPs
"Beating My Head" (1982)
"Take It All" (1983)
"He’s Read" (1983)
This Today EP (1983)
"Monkey’s On Juice" (1983)
"Hollow Eyes" (1984)
"Chance" (1985)
"Spinning Round" (1985)
"Walking On Your Hands" (1986)
"Cut Down" (1986)
"Paint Your Wagon" 7” Only (1986)
Crawling Mantra EP, recorded and released under the one-time band name change "The Lorries" (1987)
"Nothing Wrong" (1988)
"Open Up" (1988)
"Only Dreaming (Wide Awake)" (1988)
"Temptation" (1989)
"Talking Back" (1991)

Koo De Tah - Koo De Tah

Koo De Tah

Koo De Tah

1986

Synthpop

Australia / New Zealand

Tracklist:

01 Too Young For Promises
02 Think Of Me
03 Missed You All Along
04 Over To You
05 Body Talk
06 Change My Ways
07 Meant To Be
08 Fun Girl
09 Drift Away (Don't Let It)
10 Into The Future


     Koo De Tah was a New Zealand/Australian pop music band of the 1980s. The core band members were Tina Cross (a native of New Zealand) and Leon Berger (Australian), who met in Sydney.
     They scored a hit in 1985 with their first single Too Young For Promises, which reached number 6 in the Australian charts and number 48 in New Zealand.
     self-titled debut album was released in 1986.


Tina Cross - vocals
Leon Berger - keyboards, programming, bass, vocals
John Bettison - guitars, violin
Capree Morris - keyboards
Roger Faynes - bass
Peter Radnai - drums


Discography

     Albums
Koo De Tah (1986)
     Singles
Too Young For Promises/Dancing (Towards The Stranger) (1985)
Body Talk/My Eyes Are Shut (1985)
Think Of Me/Love 'Em Never (1986)
Missed You All Along/Change My Ways (1986)
Too Young (To Know) /? (1988) (possibly a re-recording of Too Young For Promises)

Chalk Circle - The Great Lake EP

Chalk Circle

The Great Lake EP

1986

Post Punk New Wave

Canada

Tracklist:


EP
"April Fool" - 5:19
"Trains" - 5:05
"Big White Clouds" - 4:06
"Me, Myself and I" - 4:08
"The Great Lake" - 4:09
"Superman (Meets the Man of Steel)" - 5:16
CD
"April Fool" - 5:19
"Trains" - 5:05
"Big White Clouds" - 4:06
"Me, Myself and I" - 4:08
"The Great Lake" - 4:09
"Superman (Meets the Man of Steel)" - 5:16
"20th Century Boy" - 3:42 *
"Come with Me" - 3:54 *
"Believe in Something" - 3:45 *
     1988 CD reissue with three bonus tracks (tracks 8 and 9 feature as b-sides on "This Mourning" 12")

     Chalk Circle was a Canadian Post Punk, New Wave, Pop Rock band in the 1980s. The band consisted of lead singer and guitarist Chris Tait, bassist Brad Hopkins, keyboardist Tad Winklarz and drummer Derrick Murphy.
     Originally formed in Newcastle, Ontario, Hopkins and Tait were paired with Terry Miller and Stani Veselinovic in 1982 as "The Casualties". The band briefly changed its name to "The Reactors" and then to "New Edition" in 1984, and finally settled on the name Chalk Circle (taken from Bertolt Brecht's play The Caucasian Chalk Circle).
     The band recorded a demo single "The World" (b/w "Black Pit") on cassette and played the Toronto area, subsequently winning the CASBY Award for Most Promising Non-Recording Group in 1985. After signing to Duke Street Records in Toronto, their 1986 debut release was a six-song EP called The Great Lake. Produced by Chris Wardman, it was recorded at Manta Sound in Toronto and Quest Recording Studio in Oshawa. The lead single "April Fool" became a Top 10 single in Canada, along with another single "Me, Myself and I". The band produced videos for both tracks which were regularly featured on MuchMusic, and the EP went on to become Duke Street's biggest seller at that time.
     Their second release was a full length album entitled Mending Wall released in 1987, with the inspiration for the title coming from Robert Frost's famous poem. Recorded entirely on digital equipment, the crisp sounding album featured another Top 10 Canadian single "This Mourning", a blistering commentary about nuclear politics in the 'ray gun' (Reagan) era of the late 1980s. The album would later be reissued with a cover version of T-Rex's "20th Century Boy", which also became a Top 10 Canadian single.
     The band's final album was 1989's As the Crow Flies, which featured two singles, "Sons and Daughters" and "Together". Citing 'creative differences', the band broke up in 1990, and Tait went on to form the indie band Big Faith.
     In 2006, Universal Music Group released a Chalk Circle greatest hits compilation as part of its 20th Century Masters series. The release prompted the band to reconvene after 15 years and in February of that year, they began rehearsals at the Cherry Beach rehearsal studios in Toronto in anticipation of possible reunion shows.
     On June 17, 2006, Chalk Circle played a reunion gig at Lee's Palace in Toronto.


Discography

     Albums
The Great Lake (EP) - 1986
Mending Wall - 1987
As the Crow Flies - 1989
The Best of Chalk Circle - 2006

     Singles
"The World" (1985)
"April Fool" (1986) #21 CAN
"Me, Myself and I" (1986) #92 CAN
"This Mourning" (1987) #28 CAN
"20th Century Boy" (1987) #44 CAN
"N.I.M.B.Y." (1987)
"Sons and Daughters" (1989)
"Together" (1989)

The Wolfgang Press - Standing up Straight

The Wolfgang Press

Standing Up Straight

1986

Post Punk

England

Tracklist:

1.    Dig a hole  4:31
2.    My life  4:03
3.    Hammer the halo  5:09
4.    Bless my brother  1:21
5.    Fire-fly  4:17
6.    Ghost  4:22
7.    Rotten fodder  6:12
8.    Forty days, thirty nights  3:23
9.    I am the crime  6:03

     The Wolfgang Press was an English post-punk band, active from 1983 until 1995, recording for the 4AD label. The core of the band was Michael Allen (vocals, bass), Mark Cox (keyboards), and Andrew Gray (guitar), with many guest musicians.

     The group is best known for its 1992 international hit single "A Girl Like You (Born To Be Kissed)".

     The 4AD band profile describes Standing Up Straight as "an intense blend of industrial and classical tropes". Trouser Press describes it as "as challenging and inventive as the band's other work, adding industrial and classical instrumentation to the creative arsenal", "dark and thoroughly uncompromising" and "not for the easily intimidated". The AllMusic Guide to Electronica describes it as "a challenging, even punishing album, but a rewarding one as well".

A Split-Second - A Split-Second 12'' (Vinyl)

A Split-Second

A Split-Second

1986

New Beat EBM

Belgium

Tracklist:

01. Burn Out
02. Body Check
03. On Command
04. Flesh



     A Split-Second was a Belgian electronic body music band. The duo — Marc Ickx and Peter Bonne (under the artist name Chrismar Chayell) — were active from their debut in 1986 until they split up in 1991, and A Split-Second continued as an Ickx solo project.

    In 1991, Bonne became involved in a side project, Wasteland, which soon became more important for him than A Split-Second. The duo split up, with Ickx continuing A Split-Second as a solo project. Another album, Vengeance, was released in 1995.
     A Split-Second's debut single "Flesh" is credited with starting the New Beat genre, when DJ Marc Grouls played the 45 rpm single at 33 rpm, in the Boccaccio nightclub in Ghent.
     In 2002, Perfecto Records released a progressive trance remix of "Flesh", produced by Paul Oakenfold.

Ohama Meets Dania - Love Only Lasts Awhile

Ohama Meets Dania

Love Only Lasts Awhile

1986

New Wave Synthpop

Canada

Tracklist:


A1 Gaslit Squares   3:54
A2 Don't Be Afraid    4:27
A3 Your Face 3:11
A4 Lola  3:09
A5 Lonely Heart Dance 6:13
B1 The Drum 3:46
B2 My Time    5:10
B3 Talking About  5:58
B4 Take Me Dancing    5:27

     Tony Walker Ohama (Ohama), Darlene George (Dania)

Taboo - Ten Hundred Thousand

Taboo

Ten Hundred Thousand

1986

Synthpop

Switzerland

Tracklist:


1 Tabu  
2 Demand  
3 Sexy Girl
4 Moving In The Midnight
5 Atomic D.J.  
6 Prego
7 All I Have To Dream
8 Forgotten Faces  
9 Hope

The Lover Speaks - The Lover Speaks

The Lover Speaks

The Lover Speaks

1986

New Wave

England

Tracklist:


01 Every Lover's Sign
02 No More "I Love You's"
03 Never To Forget You
04 Face Me And Smile
05 Absent One
06 Love Is: "I Gave You Everything"
07 "This Can't Go On!"
08 Still Faking This Art Of Love
09 Tremble Dancing  
10 Of Tears


     The Lover Speaks was the new wave duo of David Freeman (vocals), and Joseph Hughes (arranger, composer). They sang the original version of the song "No More "I Love You's"", covered by Annie Lennox in 1995 on her Medusa album, taking it to #2 on the UK Singles Chart.
     Freeman and Hughes formed The Lover Speaks (deriving the name from Roland Barthes' book A Lover's Discourse: Fragments in 1985, after working together in the punk outfit the Flys. Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics got the duo a recording contract with A&M Records and their self-titled debut including contributions from among others Stewart, June Miles-Kingston, Nils Lofgren and production by Jimmy Iovine was released the following year. Freeman's vocals received praise, but the album never took off. "No More "I Love You's"", the first single, fell off the UK chart after rising to #58. The band opened for the Eurythmics during the 1986 Revenge world tour and the following year Freeman and Hughes wrote and produced the duet "Sleep Like Breathing" with Alison Moyet, included on her album Raindancing.
     They returned to the studio in 1994 and recorded another album, The Big Lie with Iovine, Stewart and Daniel Lanois sharing production - only to face A&M Records who declined to release it. The duo then split; Freeman went on to release a few solo albums in the 2000s.

Stabilizers - Tyranny

Stabilizers

Tyranny

1986

Synthpop Rock

USA

Tracklist:

1 Tyranny
2 (If I) Found Rome
3 I Don't Need the Pain
4 Now I Hear You
5 One Simple Thing
6 Underground
7 Does Your Love Lie Open?
8 Place to Hid
9 You Pull Me Down


     The Stabilizers were an American pop/rock duo founded in the early 1980s by musicians Dave Christenson and Rich Nevens. With Christenson on lead vocals and Nevens on guitars and occasional keyboards, they spent the first few years touring the Pennsylvania area and recording original compositions on a 4-track recorder. Then, in 1985, they were signed to Columbia Records and in 1986, released Tyranny, their first and only album.
     The guitar and synth-laced album followed in the style of other 1980s bands such as a-ha, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears and Mr. Mister. The first single from Tyranny was "One Simple Thing," which peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1986 and number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987, helped by the band's performance of the song on American Bandstand. Two music videos were released to promote the album: "One Simple Thing", which was directed by David Fincher - who would go onto greater success directing the feature films Alien 3, Se7en and Fight Club - and "Tyranny", directed by David Hogan.
     The "Tyranny" single failed to chart, and for the next five years, The Stabilizers disappeared from view. However, in 1991, an unreleased track from the Tyranny sessions, "Maybe This Time," surfaced on the soundtrack to the film If Looks Could Kill. Although no additional music has been released from the band since then, Tyranny has been re-released digitally via the iTunes Store.

Hong Kong Syndikat - Never Too Much

Hong Kong Syndikat

Never Too Much

1986

Synthpop

Germany

Tracklist:


Too Much 5:32
Flash 5:04
Concrete & Clay 2:37
Rock'N'Roll Has Got To Go 4:37
Girls I Love 4:11
Loosin' Winnin' 3:55
Let's Come Together 4:25
The Birds 5:04



     Hong Kong syndicate was a German pop band of the 1980s.

     In the beginning of the decade, the decorator and disc jockey Bruno Grünberg, a graphic designer Hartmut Möller and Gerd Plez, met in West Berlin and founded Hong Kong syndikat, and received after a short time a record deal and released their debut album First string .
     The first single, Berlin Bleibt Doch Berlin , contains quotations from the former U.S. president Ronald Reagan .While the band on the first record are still predominantly German singing, they recorded the following albums in English, even to orient on the English-speaking market.
     In 1984 gave Hong Kong syndicate their first concert in New York , in August of that year she participated in London, their second album Olympia , which was produced by Rusty Egan, a member of the band Visage .Followed the album Never Too Much in 1985. Were successful - in other European countries - the singles Too Much and Concrete & Clay , the latter a remake of an oldies Unit 4 + 2 .
     In consequence, Hong Kong syndikat is not connected to the successes to date, the album Des Teutons Pas Nippon from 1987 was a flop .Two years later, in 1989, Hong Kong syndikat broke up.

a-ha - 45 R.P.M. Club EP / Road Club EP / Scoundrel Club EP / Twelve Inch Club EP / Take On Me 12''

a-ha

New Wave Synthpop

Norway

a-ha - 45 R.P.M. Club EP (1986)

[Exclusive Japan Release]

Tracklist:


1. "The Sun Always Shines On TV" (Extended Version)
2. "Driftwood"  
3. "Take On Me" (Extended Version)
4. "The Sun Always Shine On TV" (Instrumental)

a-ha - Road Club EP (1988)

[Exclusive Japan Release]

Tracklist:

01. "The Blood That Moves The Body" (Extended Version) 

02. "Take On Me" (Extended Version) 

03. "Stay On These Roads" (Extended Version) 

04. "Hunting High And Low" (Extended Remix) 

05. "Soft Rains Of April" (Original Mix) 

a-ha - Scoundrel Club EP (1987)

[Exclusive Japan Release]

Tracklist:

01."Cry Wolf" (Extended Version) – 8:13

02."We're Looking for the Whales" (live version) – 3:50

03."I've Been Losing You" (Dub Version) – 4:28

04."Manhattan Skyline" (Extended) – 6:49

05."Hunting High and Low" (Extended Version by Alan Tarney) – 6:02

a-ha - Twelve Inch Club EP (1986)

[Exclusive Japan Release]

Tracklist:

01."Train Of Thought" (Steve Thompson Mix) - 7:03

02."And You Tell Me" (Demo Version) - 1:55

03."The Sun Always Shines On T.V." (Steve Thompson Mix) - 8:25

04."Train Of Thought" (Dub Version) - 8:35

a-ha - Take On Me 12'' Vinyl (1985)

Tracklist:

01.Take on me (Extended)

02.Love is reason

03.Take on me

     a-ha was a New Wave/Synthpop band from Norway. The band was founded in 1982 by Morten Harket (vocals), Magne Furuholmen (keyboards), and Pål Waaktaar (guitars). The group initially rose to fame during the mid 1980s after being discovered by musician and producer John Ratcliff and had continued global success in the 1990s and 2000s.

     The band have sold over 36 million albums and 35 million singles wordwide. In less than a year, during 2010, the band earned an estimated 500 million Norwegian Kroner on touring tickets, merchandising and release of a greatest hits album, making them one of the 40-50 largest grossing bands in the world.

     The trio—composed of lead vocalist Morten Harket; guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (previously known as Pål Waaktaar until 1994); and keyboardist Magne Furuholmen (informally known as "Mags"), formed in 1982 and left Norway for London in order to make a career in the music business. They chose the studio of musician, producer, and soon-to-be-manager John Ratcliff because it had a Space Invaders machine. John Ratcliff introduced them to his manager, Slater, and after a few meetings, A-ha enlisted Ratcliff as manager too. Slater and Ratcliff formed T.J. Management. Ratcliff dealt with technical and musical aspects, and Slater acted as the group's international business manager and as liaison to Warner Brothers's head office in Los Angeles.

     a-ha is the biggest music export from Norway. The success started in 1985 and by the end of 2010 a-ha was still the biggest selling artist from Norway. The band was in many ways pioneers. Before a-ha there was no one that had managed to be commercially successful around the world from Norway. Even though Norway has fostered several successful acts after a-ha, the band is still considered to be in a league all by its own in Norway. The band has had huge success in the USA and UK, however perhaps even more success in non English-speaking areas of the world, such as Germany, France and the countries of South America, Brazil in particular. In 1986 a-ha received 8 MTV Video Music Awards during one award show. Their music video for the song " Take On Me " is still considered to be one of the top music videos of all time together with Michael Jackson 's " Thriller " . In 1986 Michael Jackson was in the audience at their first US concert. He later invited the band to his Neverland Ranch , - an offer the band had to decline due to work overload.

     The band has sold some 70 million records ( albums and singles ). They are the only non British / non-American performers who has written and performed a 007 James Bond official theme song with their song " The Living Daylights from the movie with the same title. Songs by a-ha has also been included as background music in episodes of popular TV series, such as Baywatch, Melrose Place, South Park, Smallville and The Simpsons, as well as movies such as One Night at McCool's, Grosse Pointe Blank and Corky Romano. They have a Guinness World Records from 1991 for the largest paying audience at a popconcert with 198 000 people at the Estádio do Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro. In 2006 the band was awarded The Q Awards Inspiration Award.

     Following the success of their debut, the band was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1986 but did not win. A-ha did win eight MTV Video Music Awards, six for "Take On Me" and two for "The Sun Always Shines on T.V.". "Take On Me" was also nominated for Favorite Pop/Rock Video at the American Music Awards of 1986. A-ha has won 10 Spellemannprisen awards, the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammy awards.

Hohokam - Don't You Know 12''

Hohokam

Don't You Know 12''

1986

Synthpop

England

Tracklist:


A Don't You Know
Backing Vocals – Ade Orange, Gary Numan, Tessa Niles
Sampler – Ade Orange
B Envy Your Innocence
Backing Vocals – Tessa Niles



     Released 3 singles for Numa records from 1983-1985. Recorded one album Seven Deadly Sins which was not released. Keyboard player Tony Alum later formed Aquilia with DJ Steve Andrews.
     Named after an ancient archeological culture, Hohokam was first brought to attention by Gary Numan's Numa records, formed as his popularity began to dwindle. While some may debate that Numan's own material at this time was stagnant, the artists he was cultivating under Numa offered some fresh synthpop/new wave talent, including these scamps, who released three singles on the label. Numan would generally preside over the recordings, acting as producer and occasional contributor.

Toy Dolls - Idle Gossip

Toy Dolls

Idle Gossip

1986

Punk Rock

England

Tracklist:


 1. Idle Gossip
  2. Do You Wanna Be Like Dougy Bell
  3. The Lambrusco Kid
  4. You Won't Be Merry on a North Sea Ferry
  5. Harry Cross (A Tribute to Edna)
  6. Geordie's Gone to Jail
  7. Silly Billy
  8. If You're in a Pop Group You'll End up Paying a Fortune Practicing at Peter Practice's  Practice Place
  9. PC Stoker
 10. I Tried to Trust Tracey
 11. Keith's a Theif
 12. I'll Get Even With Steven (Steve Is Tender)


     The Toy Dolls are an English punk rock band formed in 1979. Departing from the angry lyrics and music often associated with punk rock, The Toy Dolls worked within the aesthetics of punk to express a sense of fun, with songs such as "Yul Brynner Was A Skinhead", "My Girlfriend's Dad's A Vicar" and "James Bond Lives Down Our Street." There is often alliteration in their song titles (e.g. "Peter Practice's Practice Place", "Fisticuffs in Frederick Street", "Neville is a Nerd"). They are probably best known however for their sole UK hit, a punk-rock cover of Nellie the Elephant.
     Their albums usually include a cover version of a well-known hit song, usually speeded up to the usual punk rock tempo. Covers have included: "Blue Suede Shoes", "Toccata in Dm", "Sabre Dance", "Livin' La Vida Loca", "Lazy Sunday Afternoon", "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), She's So Modern and "The Final Countdown." They have also recorded parodies of popular songs, such as "The Kids in Tyne and Wear (Kids in America)" and "The Devil Went Down to Scunthorpe (The Devil Went Down to Georgia)". Their albums often start with a short intro with a catchy guitar riff, and end with an outro, which is usually a slightly longer variation of the intro riff. Kazoos are also prominent in many of their songs
     Most of the band members have nicknames, and are rarely seen without their cartoonish rectangular sunglasses (although they appeared bare-eyed on the One More Megabyte album cover).

     As of 2007, the band has had 14 different drummers and 12 different bassists. Olga is the only remaining original member of the band. After Olga, drummer Martin Yule had the longest tenure in the band (1987–1999). Yule currently owns a shop in Sunderland called "Hotrats." Former drummer Dave "the Nut" Nuttall owns Jalapeño Drums (a custom drum company based in Lancaster, Lancashire). The current lead singer/guitarist with The Stranglers Baz Warne also had a stint with the band. Olga has played bass on tours with the U.S. punk band The Dickies, and also with The Adicts. Gary Dunn, former bassist of The Toy Dolls (1997–1999), now teaches music at City of Sunderland College, and former drummer Trevor 'The Frog' Brewis now teaches music at Middlesbrough College, though Olga moved away from the north east of England a number of years ago, and now lives in London. It has become a tradition to give a special nickname to every Toy Dolls member.

     Current members
Michael "Olga" Algar - lead vocals, guitar
Duncan "The Amazing Mr. Duncan" Redmonds - drums, vocals
Tom "Tommy Goober" Blyth - bass, vocals

     Toy Dolls alumni
Peter "Pete Zulu" Robson - bass, guitar
Phillip "Flip" Dugdale - bass
Colin "Mr. Scott" Scott - drums
Paul "Hud" Hudson - vocals
Dean "Dean James" Robson - drums
Trevor "Trevor The Frog" Brewis - drums
Graham "Teddy Toy Doll" Edmundson - drums
Robert "Happy Bob" Kent - drums
Steve "Rubiboy" Mallinson- bass
Frederick "Freddie Hotrock" Robertson - bass
Nick Buck - drums
Barry "Bonny Baz" Warne - bass
Alan "Dirty Dicka" Dixon - drums
Malcolm "Dicky" Dick - drums
Paul "Little Paul" Smith - drums
Ernest "Ernie" Algar - bass
Kevin "Canny Kev" Scott - drums
Martin "Marty" Yule - drums
John "K'Cee" Casey - bass
Richard "Dicky Hammond" Hammond - bass
Gary "Gary Fun" Dunn - bass
Suba - drums
Michael "Reb" Rebbig - bass
David "Dave the Nut" Nuttall - drums

Robbie Nevil - Robbie Nevil

Robbie Nevil

Robbie Nevil

1986

Pop Funk

USA

Tracklist:


"Just A Little Closer" 3:58
"Dominoes" 4:46
"Limousines" 3:55
"Back To You" 4:07
"C'est La Vie" 4:29
"Wot's It To Ya" 3:47
"Walk Your Talk" 3:40
"Simple Life (Mambo Luv Thang)" 5:19
"Neighbors" 3:35
"Look Who's Alone Tonight" 4:18


     Robert S. "Robbie" Nevil (born October 2, 1958, Los Angeles, California) is an American pop singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist. He is best known for his 1986 Billboard Hot 100 #2 hit, "C'est La Vie".
     Robbie Nevil is Robbie Nevil's first album, released in 1986. It peaked at #37 on the Billboard 200, remaining on the chart for 46 weeks. The album produced three top-15 pop singles: "C'est La Vie" (#2), Dominoes (#14) and "Wot's It To Ya" (#10).
     Robbie Nevil: Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards on Track 4
     Tommy Faragher: Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
     John Van Tongeren: Keyboards, Bass on Track 10
     Judd Lander: Harmonica solo on Track 6
     Boris Williams: Drums), Hi-hat
     Mike Nocito: Cymbal
     Frank Ricotti: Percussion
     Alex Sadkin: Environmental Percussion on Track 4
     Ian Ritchie: Saxophone on Track 5
     Elaine Griffiths, Fiona Griffiths, Carol Kenyon, Chris Thompson, Miriam Stockley, Stevie Lange: Backing Vocals

Peter Gabriel - So

Peter Gabriel

So

1986

Progressive Rock Art Rock World Music

England

Tracklist:


01.Red Rain
02.Sledgehammer
03.Don't Give Up
04.That Voice Again
05.In Your Eyes
06.Mercy Street
07.Big Time
08.We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)
09.This Is the Picture (Excellent Birds)


     Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is a British singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career. More recently he has focused on producing and promoting world music and pioneering digital distribution methods for music. He has also been involved in various humanitarian efforts. In 2007 Gabriel was honoured as a BMI Icon at the 57th annual BMI London Awards for his “influence on generations of music makers.” Gabriel was also awarded the Polar Music Prize in 2009 and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010.


     This was Gabriel's first studio album to bear an official title from its inception. His previous regular albums were simply titled "Peter Gabriel," including 1982's Security, which was retitled by Gabriel's US label at the time, Geffen Records. Peter Gabriel said in a interview with Smash Hits in 1986 the title "doesn't mean anything. We just liked the form of the word and the two letters. That's all."