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EMOTIONAL RESCUE

Imago

Tomorrow Never Knows

    In the early 1980s, Britain had a vibrant cassette culture that now gets spotlighted through a limited edition 12" featuring multi-instrumentalist Kez Stone's project, Imago. He was a notable name in Cornwall and the West Country's music scenes with previous projects, Artistic Control and Aaah! which have come back via reissues many times in the last ten years. Imago was a new one-off project that first emerged with one track on the Perfect Motion compilation curated by NTS Radio's Bruno and Flo Dill and now the full LP, originally released in 1985 on the local label A Real Kavoom, has been remastered and added to with three additional gems. Stone's teenage punk influences sit next to Imago's eclectic approach to sound that blends new wave and psychedelic elements into something irresistible.

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Mine says: You can always rely on Emotional Rescue to unearth the most interesting and forgotten about musical projects and this one is a prime example. Never heard any of these tracks before and I'm already well into them!

    TRACK LISTING

    Side 1
    1. Tomorrow Never Knows
    2. Hot Sun

    Side 2
    1. All Come Together
    2. Always In You

    Glen Ricks

    Keep On Dancing - Incl. NAD Remixes

    Emotional Rescue continues its love affair with Glen Ricks here by reissuing his solo debut release. 'Keep On Dancing' is a cult and hugely coveted cut that fuses disco and reggae in some style. Ricks had a first successful musical career in The Fabulous Flames then moved between Canada and Jamaica and eventually got stuck into music in earnest again in the Caribbean. He wrote this one with writer and producer Chris Stanley and it came out first on 7" in 1981, then on 12" a year later. It has a superbly soulful vocal and a groove full of subtle bump that is sure to bring joy to any dancefloor. Idjut Boys' Dan Tyler also adds his own spin under his NAD alias for a more heavy and dub-laden take.

    TRACK LISTING

    Keep On Dancing
    Keep On Dancing (NAD Discomix)
    Keep On Dancing (NAD Discodub)

    Die Radierer

    Batman - Incl. Gary The Tall V Exotic Gardens Remix

    Emotional Rescue takes another trip into the twisted world of post-punk dubs, electronics and oddities here at the hands of DJ, collector and radio host Gary The Tall. The original comes from German duo and new wave innovators Die Radierer whose pop-reggae jam 'Batman' is irresistibly catchy with its low-slung beats and lazy, sun-kissed melodies. It appeared on 1983's In Hollywood and was recorded at their home studio on a Tascam 4-track cassette recorder. Gary The Tall's remix finds him teaming up with Aaron Coyles under his new alias of Exotic Gardens and the results are loopy and dubbed out to perfection.

    TRACK LISTING

    Batman
    Batman (Gary The Tall V Exotic Gardens Reversion)

    Exo Fender

    Big Mood - Incl. Justin Van Der Volgen Edit

    The always hard working Emotional Rescue now unveils the electronic disco project Exo Fender, helmed by esteemed New York producer Eric Calvi and featuring the legendary Steve D'Acquisto. The remastered songs 'Big Mood' and 'Music In My Mind' span two new EPs, with updated edited versions by NYC producer Justin Van Der Volgen. Calvi's journey from Paris to New York's music scene in the 1980s when he engineered hits for artists like Cameo and Africa Bambaataa, and laid the groundwork for Exo Fender. Inspired by clubbing friendships, the project's infectious grooves and tongue-in-cheek nature gained club play and collector's acclaim, with Van Der Volgen's remix enhancing their timeless appeal for today's dancefloors.

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Mine says: One of two Exo Fender releases this week and this one does what it says on the tin... if you're in need of a mood booster look no further!

    TRACK LISTING

    Big Mood
    Big Mood (Justin Van Der Volgen Edit)

    Kalahari Surfers

    Censorship Is Killing Music (Gross National Products 1981-1989)

    South African Warrick Sony is a ground breaking composer who was behind the Kalahari Surfers project which now gets a vital spotlight courtesy of Emotional Rescue. This compilation shows how effortlessly eclectic his sound was - from jive rhythms to jazz, tabla to political speeches and much more in between. A Hindu pacifist who was once conscripted into the South African Defense Force, he founded this group as a way out getting his ides out there, calling on other musicians as and when he needed them. It was the first radical white anti-apartheid pop in South Africa and as this vital collection shows it explored polyrhythms, slow motorik, dub sound collage and even a goofy cover of Nancy Sinatra.

    TRACK LISTING

    Side 1
    1. Free State Fence
    2. Crossed Cheques
    3. Running Out Of Time
    4. Beat About The Bush
    5. Ten Dirty Fingers
    6. Hillbrow 2

    Side 2
    1. Don't Dance
    2. Beatle Love Song
    3. I Wonder Why
    4. Song For Magnus
    5. Messer Im Kopf
    6. Telephone
    7. "Perpetual Emotion"

    Betty & The Code Red is a life and creative partnership between Benin-born Tunde Obazee and his girlfriend Betty. The pair grew up in Nigeria and would play all manner of instruments to entertain people at the local school before staying together as they went on to live in Italy and the US. Obazee performed at colleges and universities despite no formal training and eventually recorded a selection of tunes together including a small album on relatively new bits of gear like the Yamaha RX7. Emotional Rescue has collated some of their best work across two new EPs, this being one of them.

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Matt says: I didn't need much convincing on this one! Funky world exotica driven by the RX7 and other similar pieces of classic hardware. Oozing soul and good vibes throughout, shut the curtains, get this on the deck and drift off into your own paradise.

    TRACK LISTING

    Akure
    Is Wrong (Apartheid)
    Cry Africa
    Hard Working

    There is always a good backstory to the music that Emotional Rescue releases and this EP is a case in point. It comes from Betty & The Code Red and Betty was the girlfriend of Tunde Obazee, a Nigerian-born artist who used music as a "non-violent tool to express his socio-political opinions on global injustice." The pair would entertain people on campus by playing anything they could get their hands on, informed by the old Edo folk songs they had grown up around. They went on to live in Italy and the US and start a family as well as lay down self-released songs that have become cult classics. A selection of them feature on this, the first of two EPs from the pair.

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Matt says: Second outing for this outfit this week. The story (above) is great isn't it? Love a good story me. Thankfully the music also delivers. Three sultry slices of electronic soul with a cheesy group hug on "Memories" to finish.

    TRACK LISTING

    Wishful Thinking
    Na Wahala
    Na My Life Be Dis
    Memories

    Group Du Jour was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1983 and have had a storied career spanning the decades since. They have always brought together live, ethnic, and electronic sounds with folk and modern pop, later getting ever more experimental. Early albums Forgotten Colors in 1986 and Wonderful Vision in 1988 are groundbreaking affairs, the latter of which gave rise to 'Motion Of Waves', which is something of a cult favourite for deep diggers. It is a rich instrumental groove that layers up synthesiser, flute, guitar and haunting vocals sitting over a brilliantly electric beat. The whole thing was a live one-take recording and is perfectly suited to both sunset and sunup moments of dancing pleasure.

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Mine says: Absolutely beautiful record by one of my favourite reissue labels, I especially love the percussion on this. Emotional Rescue always dig out the best stuff!

    TRACK LISTING

    "Motion Of Waves"
    "Motion Of Waves" (Cassette Mix)
    "We Travel Dark Waters"

    Various Artists

    Get It Right: Afro Dub Funk & Punk Of Recreational Records '81-‘82

    The Emotional Rescue label has done a superb job of shining a light on the British post punk scene over the last decade or so. It now does so once more in fantastic fashion with a compilation of tunes from Bristol's short lived but much loved Recreational Records. The 10 tunes have been remastered and recut and they all sound as good now as ever. Highlights include X-Certs - 'Untogether' and Electric Guitar's 'Don't Wake The Baby' which sum up the collection perfect with their jangling dub rhythms, heavily treated vocals and oodles of delay all twisting your melon. This releases was included in Bandcamp's Essential Releases 2022.

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Matt says: Brilliant comp shining the spotlight on a lesser known Bristol label: Recreational Records. If you dug that "Spikey Dread" comp from way back in 2013, this one's for you!

    TRACK LISTING

    Side 1
    Scream + Dance - In Rhythm (12" Mix)
    Talisman - Wicked Dem (12" Mix)

    Side 2
    Animal Magic - Get It Right
    X-Certs - Untogether
    Electric Guitairs - Don't Wake The Baby

    Side 3
    Talisman - Run Come Girl (12" Mix)
    Scream + Dance - Giacometti (Wicked Mix)

    Side 4
    Ivory Coasters - Mungaka Makossa
    Animal Magic - Trash The Blad
    Scream + Dance - In Pink & Black

    Rare Silk

    Storm - Incl. Arp Duppy Chip Mix

    Emotional Rescue turn their attention to Rare Silk and their sublime cult classic "Storm". It's one of those rare tracks with a wonderful otherworldly quality that manages to be smooth and accessible, and somehow not like anything you've ever heard before. It must be somewhere in the mix, between the dreamy harmonized vocals, lush instrumentation and curious sense of space. The original on the A side is a treat enough, but then throw in a mercurial dubbed out version by Arp on the flip and you've got yourself a 10 inch portal to a most delightful dimension.

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Mine says: Much sought after repress of this delightful tune from 1985. A bit new age, a bit balearic, and well jazz-y this could be one of your new favourite Sunday afternoon listens. Looks pretty cool too...

    TRACK LISTING

    Storm
    Storm (Arp Duppy Chip Mix)

    King Sporty is something of a chameleonic artists, not that many people know. He started out int he 70s making reggae and soul 7"s, then moved into disco, boogie, hip-hop and electro 12"s during the 80s, and then when house music hit in the 90s he evolved once more. This new drop from Emotional Rescue takes a tune from that late era. 'Computer Music' is four to the floor with electro influences and a lazy break that pull you in deep. Far-sighted chords bring a serene sense of cosmic majesty while a filtered vocal adds space age vibes. A dub is included as well as the Universal Cave Discomix by the Philadelphia DJ and production crew. A retro-future EP indeed

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Matt says: King Sporty did an amazing job of traversing disco, hip-hop, house, electro and cosmic camps. "Computer Age" definitely lands in the electro category, but retains all the soul and human touches that would become familiar with this pivotal producer.

    TRACK LISTING

    Computer Age (Club Mix)
    Computer Age (Dub Mix)
    Computer Age (Universal Cave Discomix)

    Noted reggae vocalist Barry Biggs comes under the Emotional Rescue microscope here with celebrated LA digger Patrick Billard aka DJ Duckcomb remixing one of his cuts. First up is the original version of 'Illusion' which has big pianos over the clean digital dub. The soaring vocal is obscured by plenty of lush effects and melodies. After a version twists and contorts the original, the DJ Duckcomb Discomix slows things down and ups the dazzling disco vibes but keeps the dub dubby bottom end to ensure plenty of dance floor impact. This is a classy one as ever from this label.

    TRACK LISTING

    Illusion
    Illusion (Version)
    Illusion (DJ Duckcomb Discomix)

    King Sporty / Fashion Funktion

    Sun Country - Incl. 40 Thieves Remix

    Here comes Emotional Rescue and Konduko's last in their series of Noel Williams/King Sporty reissues, this time looking at later electro productions and the hip-hop/boogie influenced 'Sun Country'. Vocals and co-production come from Williams' long-time partner Betty Wright and as well as a vocal and instrumental mix there's a longform remix by Bay Area disco dub stalwarts, 40 Thieves.

    By this point in his career, the godfather of Miami Bass had travelled a long way from his Jamaican roots in reggae and soul, paying homage to the warm climbs of the Sunshine State and laying down a much copied template using the TR-808 drum machine create the electronic emulations of the breakbeat, claps accenting the backbeat and trademark low frequencies shaking the floorboards. The instrumental stretches the arrangement, emphasising the interplay between electronics, bass, vocal samples, scratching and fx, the voice transformed into a percussive element in its own right. The flip sees 40 Thieves flexing their understated understanding of electro funk, making for a rounded, generation-jumping package.

    TRACK LISTING

    Sun Country
    Sun Country (Instrumental)
    Sun Country (40 Thieves Disco Mix)

    The Vision

    Far Away: 6 Songs Of Reggae & Dub Music

    Emotional Rescue looks to the newly rebuilt but still very much culturally separate East and West Germany of the 1980s with this new EP. It's dub reggae through a post-punk and alternative lens by Hanover artists Felix Holter aka Dubvisionist. All these cuts have a very live, improvised feel because father way he worked from rhythms first and jammed endlessly before adding the vocals. They are taken from their 1987 release 10 Tracks Of Reggae & Dub Music which was inspired by the great Adrian Sherwood label On-U Sound label, and you can hear that clearly.

    TRACK LISTING

    Side 1
    1. "Far Away"
    2. "Different Language"
    3. "Whirl"

    Side 2
    1. "Natty Vision"
    2. "Fear"
    3. "No 4"

    Emotional Rescue presents the 2nd EP (of 4) highlighting the music of International Noise Orchestra. Centered around Ulrich Hornberg and Wolfgang Sperner, aka producers Gemini Brothers, this world "supergroup" released 5 LPs and 2 EPs in just 4 years.

    Again showcasing their rhythm, calm and power, a metaphysical, real sensitivity and intellectualism, all wrapped around the groove. Starting with their own instrumental remix of Gimme Move Lovin', this little known 12" B side has long been a play for "heads" and allows the band's Pop Balearic, esoteric meets electronics to shine, layering Fairlight samples over a funky bass 4/4 around some '88 Amnesia pool dive.

    Next the anthem, Yeh Naina Yaad Hai, as Asha Bhosle's beautiful vocals from the Manzil Manzil soundtrack, are mixed with drum machines to create a dream Bollywood meeting.

    Again side two features 3 songs and starts like EP 1 with Glynnis Thomas (Savage Progress) vocals, now atop a sax laden Synth Pop brain, mind and body dance. Alias, Internationales Gerauschorchester offer wonderful jazz leanings for A Lulu A Bobe Danz, where the "bop" takes a leftfield embrace. To close then, Mr Richard Strange returns, invoking The Driving Force, returning to the idiosyncratic, percussive Earthbeat. Listen!

    TRACK LISTING

    A1. Gimme More Lovin (instrumental Muezzin Mix)
    A2. Yeh Naina Yaad Hai
    B1. Sick Of Love
    B2. A Lulu A Bobe Danz
    B3. Listen To The Earthbeat/The Driving Force


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