Bleak Bliss

Les Rallizes DéNudés - Wild Trip In The West

Another year. Another month. Another Denudes box set.

This one is a recording of the "Longest Night" performance at the Western Auditorium, Kyoto University in 1983.

Three CD set released on Univive in 2008.

One

Two

Three

Various - 沫 Foam

This is a seminal compilation of Japanese artists released as a double LP on Ylem in 1981. It includes people like R.N.A. Organism, Salaried Man Club and Mad Tea Party that featured on the Vanity Records releases that ourselves and Mr Zchivago posted a while ago. It also includes Envois 216 by Merzbow. Although this has apparently been reworked a few times many years later, as far as I am aware this is the only place where the original version exists. For supplicants like me, that on it's own would be enough. Luckily, the entire release offers a unique window into the Japanese sub-underground non-scene of thirty five years ago. This was re-issued in 2011 as a double CD on Super Fuji Discs ... you should track that one down!

Today is a good day! Today is the day when I can say goodbye to 2016. Personally, it's been truly dark. However, outside of my insular concerns, 2016 has borne witness to a spectacular (and hopefully temporary) death of rational thought and evidence based debate. Things will probably get worse before they get better but at least we are clear about what we are up against. Stay informed, stay engaged and carve your own path regardless.

Happy New Year!

沫 Foam

Various - ○△□オムニバス

Frequently, the term post-punk really doesn't cover what was happening in Japan during those heady years. Here's Pale Cocoon, Virgin-Mayonnaise, Vinyl Packs, Green Kikaku, Shokkaku Shounen, Curriculumachine and Funx describing why this is the case.

LP released on Pafe Record in 1981.

○△□オムニバス

Various - Vision Of The Emortion

Quality Japanese post-punk synth wurlitzers and fractured angular guitar from C·C·Mekka = 爬虫類の脳, Ego'n Mole, Funeral Party and Picture Record.

LP released on Pafe Record in 1985.

Vision Of The Emortion

F:AR - Frammenti

If you like your industrial noises grim and ugly, this cassette (issued by Technological Feeling in 1986) by Italian stalwarts F:AR will provide what you need. For fans of Telepherique, De Fabriek, and Sigillum S.

F:AR - Frammenti

F:AR - Presto I Topi Verranno A Cercarci

A rare (and pricey!) LP from Italian smog monsters Final: Alternative Relation, released in 1987 by Amen-THX 1138.

F:AR - Presto I Topi Verranno A Cercarci

F:AR - Final Alternative Relation

Second cassette by the Italian industrial group, released by Technological Feeling in 1982. No hint of the goofiness that band leader Mauro Guazotti would develop with his techno act decades later. Savor that, and pretend that in some alternate timeline it never happened.

F:AR - Final Alternative Relation

Various - Girls Sazanami Beat! Volume. 1

Happy Conspicuous Consumption Day!

This brilliant five volume collection of Japanese bands is a real treat and just might enable you to get through the arguments and indigestion...

CD released on Sazanami in 2008.

Girls Sazanami Beat! Volume. 1

Various - Girls Sazanami Beat! Volume. 2

CD released on Sazanami in 2009.

Girls Sazanami Beat! Volume. 2

Various - Girls Sazanami Beat! Volume. 3

CD released on Sazanami in 2010.

Girls Sazanami Beat! Volume. 3

Various - Girls Sazanami Beat! Volume. 4

CD released on Sazanami in 2011.

Girls Sazanami Beat! Volume. 4

Various - Girls Sazanami Beat! Volume. 5

CD released on Sazanami in 2013.

Girls Sazanami Beat! Volume. 5

Various - Cult GS 7 Inch Box Vol.1 - Red Box

The Rangers, The Edwards, The Lind & The Linders, The Youngers, The Beavers, The Dynamites, D'Swooners, The Spiders, The Gullivers and The Mustang.

Ten 7" single box set of Group Sounds bands released on Miracle Music in 2005.

Red Box

Various - Cult GS 7 Inch Box Vol.2 - Blue Box

The Terrys, The Phoenix, The Half Breed, 491, The Dynamites, Micky Curtis & The Samurais, The Love, The Jet Brothers & The Fighters, Gary Walker & The Carnabeats and The Lead.

Ten 7" single box set of Group Sounds bands released on Miracle Music in 2005.

Blue Box

Various - Cult GS 7 Inch Box Vol.3 - Yellow Box

D'Swooners, The Blue Impulse, The Rangers, The Dynamites, The Lions, The Spirits, The Youngers, The Genova, The Mops and The Cougars.

Ten 7" single box set of Group Sounds bands released on Miracle Music in 2005.

Yellow Box

Mutant Ape - What's Left?

This is a compilation of previously released rare tracks that came out on George's own Turgid Animal in 2008. It's Mutant Ape on Turgid Animal ... of course, it's great!

To cap off what has been a really shitty year, it looks like George has terminated the mission. There endeth what has been the most consistently brilliant British project and label over the past decade. I really love him to bits.

Happy New Year George!

What's Left?