Search Results for:

SMILING C

MORE INFORMATION

Various Artists

The Voice Of Love

Smiling C

The Voice of Love is a collection of British sophisti-pop and jazz-funk from the 1980s - ten songs ranging from unreleased demos to scarcely pressed 12”s attempt to define the scope of the British underground scene during that era.

The music presented on this release juxtaposes polished aesthetics with a punk ethos; while some bands sported sophisticated looks reminiscent of travel destinations and designer fashion, they also embraced gritty influences from iconic British acts like The Clash, Sex Pistols, and early Factory Records acts. This dynamic interplay between refinement and rebellion lies at the heart of the compilation. Artists like Jakatti, Berlin-Randazzo Band, and Xpertz offer a raw energy akin to Colourbox, Maximum Joy, and A Certain Ratio. Meanwhile, Inheritance, World Series, and Ocean evoke the sound of 52nd Street (Inheritance members went on to form that group) and Freeez (including After Eight’s notable "Southern Freeez" cover). The Goodbye Look and Sonjah & Ian introduce a smoother jazz-pop vibe, drawing inspiration from Sade and the sun-kissed allure of Ibiza.

Curated in collaboration with Michael Patricola, a pioneer in uncovering rare private pressings and obscure recordings, this project is a labor of love. This selection of long-elusive discoveries is a tender ode to the rainy melancholy of English adolescence.

TRACK LISTING

Sonjah Ian - Nothing In Your Pocket
The Goodbye Look - Half The Fun Of The Crime
Ocean - In Out Of Love
Inheritance - I Still Love You
World Series - Take My Love
Jakatti - Time Out
Berlin-randazzo Band - Shine On
Jakatti - The Voice
Xpertz - Lovers In London
After Eight - Southern Freeze

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

David Horridge

Journey Within

Smiling C

David Horridge's unreleased bedroom studio tape material (1982).

Shortly after releasing the inimitable “Light Patterns”, David Horridge recorded a handful of demos. These sole artifacts from Dave capture the same Mancunian melancholy presented on
“Light Patterns”, and offer an insight into David’s contributing piece of the puzzle. It comes as no surprise that every track laid to tape from that era is an absolute gem.

David’s playing comes in the form of well-timed melodies and carefully placed basslines.

Nothing forced or rushed, and each movement really sits with a mood. “Journey Within” is an even more sedated, mellow effort than “Light Patterns”. The songs were perhaps even sketches for a
follow up that never manifested. The album’s greatest strength is in setting a peaceful, pastoral mood that allows for a relaxed listen all the way through. Hypnotic stuff.

The only deviation is the final song, “One Note Bossa”, which came as a surprise with its use of a drum machine. A feature that demonstrates what might have been were David have continued to
experiment and release albums...

RIYL: Durutti Column, Woo, Pat Metheny, and Steve Hiett.

TRACK LISTING

A Pale Smile
At First Sight
Journey Within
Dark River
One Note Bossa

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Shams Dinn

Smiling C

For their first ever reissue, Smiling C connects with the Arabic rapper Shams Dinn to release a compilation his best songs, including the hit "Hedi Bled Noum". The compilation covers his entire career of with songs made between 1985-1990, most of which went unreleased at the time. One of the few Moroccan rappers to ever be recorded on vinyl back in the 80s, Shams Dinn was a pioneer of Arabic flow. Starting his career because he wanted to be a positive light for the Arabic immigrants living in France. He earned his status participating in freestyle competitions, and performing in small clubs around Europe. His career came to a turning point when he was asked by a major label to record a full LP. Unfortunately, the label decided they didn't want to promote Arabic music (largely because of the Gulf War) - and asked Shams to translate the Arabic to French. Shams Dinn wouldn't stand for that, and he was dropped from the label. The following years he worked at a school, teaching kids how to rap and express themselves through words. The reissue comes with newly imagined art, and an inner sleeve with interview and photos.

[ + ]

[ - ]