This well of riches is primarily plumbed by US labels, the imprints sinking drill-bits deep beneath the crust to mine out the mascara rimmed gold of New Wave and Minimal Pop. Medical Records, led by Senior Explorations Head Troy Wadsworth, have recently crossed the plains of history in search of rare musical minerals.
The wealth of obscure synth wave seems to be almost endless. This well of riches is primarily plumbed by US labels, the imprints sinking drill-bits deep beneath the crust to mine out the mascara rimmed gold of New Wave and Minimal Pop. Medical Records, led by Senior Explorations Head Troy Wadsworth, have recently crossed the plains of history in search of rare musical minerals.
Disco Volante may be a name known to those with an obscure ear. This project was the brainchild of Terry Clarke (aka Terry Tanx.) Clarke played in a number of small venues in the early 1980s, using a then (and now) enviable array of Roland equipment to produce his sound. A single cassette album was released under the Disco Volante moniker in 1984, a release now languishing in obscurity. Wadsworth and the Medical team have managed to resurrect three tracks from Clarke for the Seattle imprint’s 7” debut. Disco Volante’s sound is a pared back Minimal Synth sound. Clarke’s machine serve up a playful piece of analogue pop for “No Motion.” The track has that quintessential homemade feel with vocals coming from the spoken tradition of The Human League. “Click” comes from a similar place. Clark writes a simple and charming ode to the dawn of the technological age. His lyrics adopt and almost Indie quality whilst cheerful chords are tapped from the keyboard. The rawer edge of “Punishment Tank Live!” closes.
In a simultaneous bound, Medical take the leap onto the 10” format with West Berlin’s Christof Glowalla. The German artist took his influences from the burgeoning New Wave and Industrial scenes, setting his musical musings to vinyl in the early 80s. Medical has resuscitated these little known pieces for ‘Erde 80.’ The title piece opens. A chirpy piece of Deutsche Synth Pop is the product. A gentle piece, minimal in its composition but undeniably catchy. Glowalla is an obvious precursor to modern outfits like Skanfrom and the second wave of synthesizer pop. “Technik” follows, its name belying its form. The track is a strange blend of strings and light synths, almost proto-folktronica (a phrase I’m already wishing I hadn’t typed.) “Science Fiction” brings us back to the motherboard. Vocals are echoed in this piece of synth disco. An edgy and clever track. Strings return for the wave haircuts of “Smog in der Stadt.” Post punk with a twist of synthesizer to close.
I’ve been listening to Minimal Synh, Synth Wave, New Wave—whatever ‘ya ‘wanna call it—for years. Yet, constantly there is excellent material being re-issued that I have not heard sight nor sound of. Disco Volante and Chritsof Glowalla paint a social dialogue with a collage of cobbled machinery and a post punk slant. Two excellent additions to the Medical camp.
Both releases are available on Medical. [Disco Volante | Christof Glowalla]
