I'm pleased to introduce beloved ARAWA friend, Ben Aqua, A man of many talents, his reach across the web is impressive. An accomplished photgrapher, rips from his Flickr page can be found amoungst the most refined Tumblr and FFFFound collections. His diverse musical endeavors have him slaying masses as a heavy metal rock god in ASSACRE, while his alter ego MVSCLZ trolls the underground German leather bars looking for love while listening to LIME.
Somehow in his busy schedule he found time to share this lovely Hindi-disco mix with us. Focusing on only the best of Bollywood dance, he's created an exotic mix hotter than Goan curry. Thanks for the indigestion Ben, it was well worth it.
Early demo work from Positive Messenger aka Newcleus is available on their official "Jam On Productions" webpage, Lot's of lovely, raw 4 track, tape-2-tape edits of some of their classic work as well as some never before released material. This is spacey, electro-funk at it's best.
Early video art with a soundtrack from one of new age's finest, Steve Roach. A match made in heaven. A pioneer in 80s ambient electronic music, his music conjures up cosmic landscapes with hypnotic rhythms reminiscent of Tangerine Dream's best work. His 1986 album, "Empetus", is a personal favorite for just the cover alone. This is the 6th track from that album. Enjoy
More killer disco edits from H-Track. The A side track on the new Vol.2 LP is a killer stripped down disco/funk masterpiece by Pure Energy. Worthy release, especially with the fresh Fun Boy Three "Our Lips Are Sealed" edit on the bside. H-Track edits are in heavy rotation on my headset. Get you some
I was doin some youtube searchin recently and came across some awesome videos by Georges Schwizgebel and Ishu Patel. At the same time I was listening to this wicked track from Blackway and thought it would be perfect for these videos. After a quick couple of rips and editing 101, I came up with this lil diddy. I was pleasently surpised that it reached Casco and met his approval. He gave me a little more insight on this release which was most enlightening.
Blackway is in fact another artist named Paolo Del Prete who originally released this 12" back in '82 on Moon Records Association. It was also featured on Casco's "The Cyber Album" with the title "Casco Presents Blackway - New Life" which caused some confusion as to the origination. Anywho, there's a re-issued 12" with this track and the incomparable Mr Master on the bside with the instrumental version of "Dog in the Night", available on Flexx records. Apparently Casco and Del Prete are preparing new Blackway material which will be available soon. I know I'll be on the lookout since everything Casco touches is gold.
What happened to Harry Thumann? After an incredible span of work from '77 to '83, he just kinda disappeared. How could we let him go? I mean, in addition to his own work including his signature tunes, Sphinx and Underwater, he also worked with La Bionda and Rondo Veneziano on the great La Serinissima. And then poof. Gone. Lost to the cosmos.
I'd like to toss this golden rope out there Harry, one you wove of shimmering arpeggios and twinkling synths, in hopes that you can grab on and begin your descent back to Earth. And the studio.
Things aren't always cute and cuddly round here. Sometimes the shackles of sequencers and metronomes become too tight and can only loosened with abrasion and distortion, primal needs and fears satisfied/exacerbated with sounds raw and unprocessed.
In steps RVNG, quickly become the preeminent label for moving into the future by looking backwards. Their newest release is a beast. A beast lovingly edited, compiled and mixed by one JD Twitch. In the package you get 10" with four edits of the Crass extended family and one extra ambitious mix cd of early punk/noise/spazz what have you. Twitch says in the liner notes...
"Doing a mix cd of this music seemed like a crazy idea but as I've always been a big fan of crazy ideas I was determined to make it work and I think it does. The idea behind it was two-fold. Firstly I thought there might be some people out there who know nothing about this music and might stumble across this and find that they really like it. Secondly there are probably a load of people out there who used to dig this stuff but are now deep into cosmic disco or somesuch and this might remind them of how great and eminently listenable this music really is."
I'm definitely part of the latter group. Its incredible to hear this stuff in a new mindset and context and still feel all the immediacy and power that drew me to it in the first place. Thanks Twitch and RVNG.
My good friend Silencefiction said a few months ago that he had a mix in the works that ARAWA might enjoy, "Might you be interested?" he said. I said totally. As long as it doesn't suck.
"Of course it wont suck," he replied, "its an all Asia mix".
As excited as you all were to hear Heat of the Moment, I'm sorry to say, he lied. He decided to make something good instead. An eminently listenable and enjoyable selection of new wave and synth-pop that helped to shape an eminently enjoyable dude from past to present to future. As Tommy Boy says, "It's roots music for the apathetic and pale".
"I was a blossoming synth punk youth in Montreal when most of these tracks were recorded, hence the commonwealth-centric track selection. Half were the soundtrack to my discovery of hairspray and nail polish. The other half are tracks I wish I knew about at the time.Strangely, a lot of these otherworldly, alienated songs were either recorded with major label money, or led these bands to later become novelty one-hit-wonders before they faded away. The majors were bandwagoning to cut themselves a piece of the new wave, but they were also taking risks by signing some pretty adventurous music. The terrain was open and uncharted. Even the Human League couldn't ruin it for everybody. Nor could Throbbing Gristle."
I want to point out that while he's still quite big on the nail polish, the hairspray might not be necessary anymore.
Twisted Wires has kindly shared with ARAWA a rough mix of their soon-to-be released single on Italians Do It Better. This is another one of those rare acts thats IDIB seems to cater to so well. Kim Systems, enigmatic front man for the group, has crafted a perfect storm of dark synths and disco beats, transporting the listener to some dystopian future where every dance floor is a crime scene. The virtuoso's brooding vocals are mesmerizing, sounding like some cyborg hybrid of HAL and Morrissey. If this single is any indication, IDIBv2.0 is the new wave. Can't wait to see what '09 brings for this incomparable New Jersey label and this amazing up'n'coming group. Rejoice in the exclusivity kids - you heard it here
As far as movie themes go, Harold Faltermeyer's "Fletch" has to have one of the most memorable synth lines ever. Although not as successful as his Axel F theme, the same appeal is present. This has to be one of my favorite collaborations ever. It's right up there with Jan Hammer and Tangerine Dream's best soundtrack work. Chevy Chase owns this persona, the role obviously tailor made for him. The score also suits the movie perfectly. I've watched Fletch countless times and it never gets old for me. It reminds me of the good ol' days, when Chevy Chase was still funny. Here are 3 different versions of the main theme found on the official soundtrack.
This is something I don't post enough around here, straight up, lush, organic, epic disco. Like, disco disco. Mixed by the one and only Tom Moulton and released in '76 by the incomparable West End Records it's a little reminder that maybe sometimes, the world does revolve around you. So just dance and enjoy it.
I was working late when I first caught sight of the oriental nightfish. The colors were swirling, the room was getting hotter. I couldn't see anything. Emerald blue, purple red. I was working late, it was a Thursday night, when I first caught sight of the oriental nightfish...
Well campers, Halloween's over and I already miss it. I know we covered tons but we left out so much more. I guess there's always next year. Just in case you're wondering, we have no plans for a ARAWA Christmas theme excursion. You can put your vomit bags down now. Clearly after October's insanity, its time to give carpal tunnel a rest. In the meantime, allow me to shamelessly plug my recent mix. If you're down for disco and up for dancing, then this was specially made just for you. Hopefully it'll tide you over while I gather my wits in preparation to be an annual co-counselor. enjoy
Happy Halloween campers!! Hope you were all had as much frights and fun as Tommy and I did. We has so much fun that Tommy will be staying as my co-camp counselor year-round!
((((Applause))))
Portrait of your hosts in their natural environment...
Photo courtesy of Rad Dudes In celebration, here's a spooky ass song from Tokyo's Metalchicks, made of equal parts Sugar Yoshinaga (Buffalo Daughter), Yuka Yoshimura (OOIOO).
Nothing like a last minute post on the Eve O' the Dead. We just keep coming up with more. Needless to say, I'm impressed with the overwhelming response we've received from our wicked brethren in HTX. So far this month we've covered TENSE, OWLEYES, and now MKF KÜNST has joined the flock.
This sexy senorita is a pivotal figure in the newly emerging stateside Third Wave movement. Borrowing elements from some of my favorite flexipop groups like Aviador Dro, Crash Course in Science, and Absolute Body Control, she crafts a perfectly spellbinding sound which reinforces the minimal wave aesthetic for the 21st century. Her recent EP release on Cititrax with Medio Mutante is a perfect example of this well informed and excuted marriage of minimal, distilled electro with global Cold Wave appeal. Check out the video for their single"Inestable"
This little chica isn't satisified with just being one of the boys either. Her solo work as Kunst Fascion is equally impressive. She was kind enough to share this newly finished track, just in time for Halloween. Dark, gloomy, and terrifyingly delightful, this song is just right for the night.
As with other contributions from the extended ARAWA family, Mariana submitted a few additional Halloween items to round off our month. I'm really glad she reminded me of one of the best Herzog - Kinski collaborations. The 1979 Nosferatu remake "Phantom Der Nacht" is one of the best vampire stories ever told. Here's a collection of trailers for that film:
It's really freaky how much William Dafoe's character in "Shadow of the Vampire" looked like Klaus Kinski's Nosferatu.
VS
And last but not least, she's leaving us with one of her and our favorite songs ever. This is the perfect 3am Halloween hookup song. It's now or never people. Before you know it, Halloween's over like a flash in the night
I found this little gem while searching for trailers to share this month. It's not entirely in keeping with the theme, but it does have some of the better B-Horror schlock films in the mix. Rather enjoyable.
Well, it's getting really close to the end of Octoberfest around these parts. Seems like I was just starting to get on a roll and now it's over. There's alot more going on in the deep, dark bowels of Arawa's subconscience, so stay tuned for Halloween II. Have an awesome weekend kids and be safe.
One of our favorite DJ's around the netospehere, JAZ, submitted this lovely little clip from one of his more memorable horror movie pleasures. This sequence is from the hard to find 1960 film "Blood and Roses"
Gatekeeper's been making quite a stir in the blogging netherworld as of late and for good reason. Taking all the right queues from people like Goblin and John Carpenter they've created something new, disturbing and still danceable. The sinister sound of strangulation by cords and wires, blood spattered synths and drum machines playing to dark and empty rooms, gothic choirs echoing down neverending hallways and soft scratching behind closed doors.
Halloween Safety Educational Film Part 1 (1977, Centron)
Halloween Safety Educational Film Part 2 (1977, Centron)
Halloween Safety Educational Film Part 1 (1985, Centron)
Halloween Safety Educational Film Part 2 (1985, Centron)
NYPD Public Access PSA
Public Access PSA
Geez parents, get over your fears. Some dude puts out some bad candy and generations of kids have to suffer. I really wish some ingenious candy company would come up with a needle layden candy apple for Halloween. It definitely would help to demystify this urban myth or exasperate it to the point of mass hysteria. Either way it's a win / win.
What happened to these kinds of movies? When did they die? When did our attention spans become too short to watch films made up of short stories?
Creepshow, Cats Eye, Nightmares, The Twilight Zone Movie, Tales From the Darkside the Movie... I grew up on these movies and you know what? I miss em. George Romero and Stephen King are rumored to be working on a Creepshow remake/sequel but honestly, we know how that'll turn out. We need some new blood in there to work a little magic and bring something new to the genre. Any takers out there?
Ok people. This is what it's all about. I'm thrilled to be closing this month with an amazing mix from Odessa all the way from my hearts other home, Rotterdam. This italo-disco darling is one of the hottest figures to emerge from the ever growing Netherland scene. Her destinctive sound is unique amoung other italo disco revivalists. She has a sincere musical and technical appreciation for the genre which is apparent in her recent release on Disco Praline. If you haven't sought out her single "Polar Intrusion", do so now. This little space vixen is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Be on the lookout for her cover of Charlie's "Spacer Woman" as well as "Red Shoes", co-produced by legendary Clone artist, Alden Tyrell. These are definitely future floor killers!
I'm very happy to add Odessa's contribution to the Halloween juggernaut ARAWA has undertaken. I know I speak for Sean when I say we're very excited to share this mix with all of you.
track list: Whodini: Haunted House Rap Whodini: Haunted House (Vocoder Version) Arpanet: Event Horizon Xalan: I Only Move For Money Patrick Cowley: They Came at Night Opperheimer Analysis: Devils Dancers Kano - Ikeya-Seki Oil & Ola: Just a Little Bit of Jazz Experimental Products: Glowing in the Dark Jamie Principal: Waiting on my Angel K.Barre: Right by the Moon
This a must have for any Halloween disco mix. Claudio is a quasi-god in my book. Pick up almost any release and you'll agree, one of the best Italian exports ever.
From Other Cinema comes the nightmare opus, Experiments in Terror Vol 1 & 2 Amazing experimental and disturbing short films on the subject of terror. A must see
