For Medical Records’ latest, the Seattle label has stayed close to home, heading to Ohio for Near Paris, before heading further afield to Italy for I Signori Della Galassia.
Medical Records continues its penchant for duets with another twosome of re-issues. Troy Wadsworth, and his imprint, have been gaining some much deserved attention and press with label boss giving an interview and mix to Made Like a Tree. For their latest, the Seattle label has stayed close to home, heading to Ohio for Near Paris, before heading further afield to Italy for I Signori Della Galassia.
Near Paris sees Medical hook up with Crispy Nuggets, an excellent blogsite dedicated to the obscurest of obscure minimal synth and post punk sounds. Near Paris were active in the mid 80s, the group founded by the duo of Gerald F. Nelson and Dana Riashi. “Visions” introduces Near Paris and the duo back to vinyl, a track which uses quite a pop rock hook. Guitars are met by synthlines as Riashi’s vocals roam across memorable rifts. The superb, yet frustratingly brief, “Interlude” reaches into “Why Baby.” The tempo is reduced for a life-beaten lament. But happiness is just a track away. The tops come off for “Everything Will Change,” a piece which charges in with quick snares and a sunshine fuelled melody. Curiously it is the sombre vocals that apply the brakes in this quirk twisted piece of extra-modern pop. “Shattered Glass” ups the oddness with sobriety return with “Hey You” s bass and fast beats rush past breathy vocals. “Walk Like A Man” accelerates whilst Riashi’s lyrics taper the speed to allow synths to develop, lancing and rising. “He’s Too Fine” sees the American duo try their hand at Italo lovelorn lust, that same tear jerker aspect warped for the final gasp with “Ceiling.”
I first came across for I Signori Della Galassia, The Men Of Galaxy in English, some years back. Their anthem “Iceman,” also album title, has been championed by many the underworld DJ, a catchy Italo streaked piece of Cosmic Disco Glam. Undeniably it is one of the standout tracks of the album. Much of the album reflects that Moroder electronic energy of the 70s, I Signori Della Galassia taking their cue from the space soaked disco of the Rockets, Supersempfft or Brian Bennett. “Proxima Centuari” is a quality work of dream filled analogue astrology, its innocence running into the estranged prog rock of “Puoi Sentrimi?” Soundtrack movements arrive with the excellent “Fermente de Reazione.” This Goblin style track is a horror-filled love song. The final break is utterly incredible. For the DJ minded, one to start a set in style. “Luce” moves into unrequited 70s Ameri-disco mode before “Iceman” unapologetically obliterates. The record maps an advent and age, one of synthesizer production and artists with the ability, and label backing, to expressive this new musical link of man and machine. “Sub” exemplifies the group’s combined skill, a stretched out trip of vocoders, abstraction and yesteryear haze. “Archeoptrix” comes from the same vein as those 70s French cartoons that might be on of a Sunday morning, think Ulysses 31. “Tutankhamon is akin to Sauveur Mallia while “Volcano” takes Italian gangster heist and mixes it with apocalyptic carrousel. “Eliane” softens re-entry, the listener passing back through the mirror of I Signori Della Galassia and into the world of 9-5 and Starbucks.
Medical Records deserve the attention they are receiving. Near Paris were part of the new wave art scene, one that flourished in Europe. These experimenters employed a range of sounds, sampling from the burgeoning airwaves and the influx of new machinery. I Signori Della Galassia are underrated pioneers of the early Synth age. Iceman is a blueprint for future analogue artists. The album blends outright experimentation with traditional structures to produce a schematic for fledging computer musicians, forging a path for fellow trailblazers and firebrands to follow.
Both releases are available on Medical. [Near Paris | I Signori Della Galassia]
