(September 2010) Mannequin Records have been addicted to the minimal synth sound since the get go. The label, based in Rome, has sought to revive lost artists as well as source new blood. The imprint, now into its second year, has pioneered releases by the likes of Led Er Est, Newclear Waves and Ancien Régime. In recent months Mannequin undertook a serious piece of audio archaeology. I’ve mentioned before the forgotten world of Italian wave music, the likes of N.O.I.A., Ruins and Lisfrank. Through dedicated research, and what must have been a torrent of email’s and phone calls, Mannequin produced a compilation of Italian wave: Danza Meccanica: Italian Synth Wave 1982-1987.
Danza Meccanica immediately captured the imagination of minimal synth enthusiasts. Italy, in the 80s, was not only on the cusp of cultural chic, it also had a burgeoning synthesizer industry. This mix helped create the italo disco storm, one which is being heard across more and more clubs these days. Alongside the italo craze a smaller sub sound inspired by the music of the UK new wave scene was born. Danza Meccanica is a guide to this strange and wonderful world of synth wave. Unknowns sit happily beside cult followed artists, such as two pieces by the gleefully bleak Victrola. Some artists here have already been recognised by other labels, such as Carmody, Lisfrank and Monuments being picked up by Anna Logue for full length releases. Other artists have languished in obscurity, such as Tommy De Chirico and Janitor of Lunacy. The tracks have a heavy post punk influence to them, with guitars and real drums featuring alongside croaking synthesizers and blackened vocals. The compilation must have been a research nightmare for the label, but with that a real learning experience such as working with the In The Night Time label. The album is an archaeological triumph, unearthing artists who (most probably) would have remained trapped in forgotten 7″s and lost cassette tapes.
Mannequin is just as interested in the post punk period as it is in the wave era. Taste of Decay have recently found themselves on the imprint with an album cataloguing their work for 1984-86. The CD only release is neatly divided into two parts, the first six tracks taken from the group’s Calling EP and the remainder from their First Demo Tape. The seventeen track album is a trip into the punk wave world of Taste of Decay. Elements of Factory Records are embedded in the sound, but brash guitar sections cut through to deliver an edge of the industrial. A heartbroken tone permeates through the album, such as in the disturbing and deep “You Are Gone.” The album, released in conjunction with Infrastition, shows another side of Mannequin, a rawer less polished sound full of angst and emotion.
Next in the pipeline is the re-issue of Degada Saf’s No Inzro. The album was released on the short lived Italian label Rockgarage Records in 1984. With a 12″ EP in 1986 Degada Saf have been out of the musical spotlight for some time now. Mannequin have sorted that out with this CD return for Degada Saf. The group have a strange, but quintessential, pop sound. Synth and guitar melt together into a hazed clarity as Degada Saf flirt with the meanings of new wave and electro pop as in the quirky styles of “La Rhumba De Shang Hai” or “Tri-banal.” The sound has a touch of Liaisons Dangereues to it, Degada Saf are not afraid to challenge conceptions of composition and the musical narrative. Whilst “Zom Africa” isn’t too far off an early italo piece its follow-up “Poli Su Mis” sounds more like something from the hand of Neon Judgement. The album ends as curiously plays, with the abstract instrumentals of “No Inzro.”
Mannequin records is beginning to build up a head of steam with their releases. Not only is the volume of output going up, but the diversity of the content is too. More exciting material is in the line for the label, with split release by Frank (just Frank) and Soviet Soviet on the horizon. Mannequin is exploiting its homeland’s musical history whilst looking further afield for talent and new sounds. With this formula, and the Mannequin instinct for quality, this Italian imprint is one to keep an eye, and ear, on.
All releases above are out now on Mannequin.
