Friday 30 October 2020

KRAFTman debut Album Released Today

It is with great pleasure that we announce the debut album release by UK electronic music artist KRAFTman. He has recorded his own version of Kraftwerk's "The Man Machine" album.

Kraftwerk first caught my attention in 1975, with their single "Autobahn", I remember thinking that it was like music recorded from another planet, unique and completely different from anything else that was in the charts at the time.

It would be another 4 years before I truly discover Kraftwerk, a track called "Neon Lights" was featured on an interview, on Radio 1, in 1979 that Simon Bates did with Gary Numan, it blew me away, so much so, I bought "The Man Machine" album the next day!

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be recording my own version of "The Man Machine", over 40 years later!

To make it more unique, a lot of the songs are my own arrangements and in addition to the 6 tracks that are featured on the album, I have also recorded all my own extended arrangements of all 6 songs, so if you love those 80s style 12 inch singles you will be delighted :)

I hope you enjoy what I have created.

The album is available as a Digital Download now via Bandcamp:

 https://kraftman.bandcamp.com/album/the-man-machine-recreated

A video is also available for the first single that was released in support of the album, a 7 Inch Single version of "The Robots", you can watch the video here:

 


The 3 track single, which features "The Robots", a 7 Inch Single Version of "Metropolis" and a new 12 Inch Re-Programmed version of "The Robots", is also available via Bandcamp:

https://kraftman.bandcamp.com/album/the-robots

A further single will be released soon :)

Monday 26 October 2020

i-Select #62

White Lion Radio have released edition #62 of i-Select.

This is a series of shows dedicated to electronic/synthpop bands that are unsigned, signed to a small independent label or self release their material. White Lion Radio prides itself on bringing you music which you don't always get access to and to showcase bands and artists that are really very talented and deserve to be heard.

These shows will feature bands from across the globe!

Listen to the show on Mixcloud

Listen to the show on Hearthis.at

Playlist

DJ Andrew Marston & Nature of Wires ft Steve Attridge & The Sleeping Giants - Speed of Sound (The Chain)
Milano 84 Ft Vanessa Elly - Fanatic (Radio Edit)
Blaklight - Unknown Love
Scarlet Soho - Modern Radio
Jeff McCall - Your Eyes
Vogon Poetry - My Way Out
Analogue Electronic Whatever - Statues Of Men
Electric City Cowboys - Time
KRAFTman - The Robots (Kraftwerk Cover)
Kaos - Rise Up
Piston Damp - Something To Me
KNIGHT$ - Dollars & Cents (Ant People Remix)
Train To Spain - Living Now (Remix By Nórdika)
Eric C. Powell Ft Andrea Powell - Fly Away
Annie - American Cars
Darwinmcd + Mark Bebb - Featherlite (Northern Kind Remix)
Anna Öberg - Avtrubbad
Beat Noir Deluxe - My Queen
Dani Tamayo - Last Stop (Lifelong Corporation Remix)
Jeff McCall - Twilight Zone
Mikamamon - Holiday Romance
Scarelet Soho - What You Need
When We Believed - Anyone
Andrik Arkane - Wristcutter (Radio Edit)
Andy Hagerty - Infinite Beauty
Vague Notion - Shadow Talk
Anna Öberg - Handen Eller Hjärtat
Silverhook Ft Tareq - Slow Motion (Radio Edit)
Annie - The Streets Where I Belong
Eric C. Powell & Andrea Powell Ft Stereo In Solo - Shattered Glass
The John Michie Collective - Under The Stars
KNIGHT$ - Gelato (Also Playable Mono Remix)
Electric City Cowboys - Electric (Milo Blue Electric Romance Mix)
Kaos - The Perfect Game
The Sea At Midnight - Afterglow
When We Believed - The Introverts
Cobalto - Now Forever (Pleiadi Remix)
Vogon Poetry - Barren Lands
Les Anges De La Nuit - If You Ever
Jeff McCall - Part Of The Con
Scarlet Soho - In Cold Blood (!distain Remix)
Blaklight - Ashes To Ashes (David Bowie Cover) 

 

Monday 19 October 2020

The Electronic Music Hour #62

Welcome to edition #62 of our series "The Electronic Music Hour", which features some of the best electronic and synthpop music from the last 40 years.

These shows not only include well known artists from the last 4 decades but new and emerging bands on the electronic music scene from around the world, a lot of which are either unsigned, or on a small independent label, or self release their material.

So the shows will feature old and new tracks that fit in the electronic/synthpop genre.

Listen On Mixcloud

Listen On Hearthis.at

Playlist

Sparks - When Do I Get To Sing My Way (The Grid Radio Edit)
Erasure - Chorus
Pegasus Asteroid - Mechanical Heart (Nordika remix)
Train To Spain - Monsters
Human League - Boys And Girls
Stockholm Nightlife Ft Eliza K - Where The Wind Blows (The Stormby 7 Inch Mix)
People Theatre Ft Henrik Iversen - Obsession
Thompson Twins - Doctor Doctor
The Associates - Those First Impressions
Sombre Moon - Hereafter (BR Der Deutsche Fused)
New Musik - Living By Numbers
Black Nail Cabaret - Rent
China Crisis - Papua
Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)
VNV Nation - Armour

Monday 12 October 2020

Maximum 80s #85

White Lion Radio have released edition # 85 of Maximum 80s.

A show that celebrates the 1980s 12 Inch Single!

The biggest hits in the 12 Inch format from the greatest decade in music history.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Listen to the show on Hearthis.at here

Playlist For The Show

Pet Shop Boys - What Have I Done To deserve This (Disco Mix)
Bryan Ferry - Kiss & Tell (Dance Mix)
Talk Talk - Without You (12 Inch Mix)
Freeez - I.O.U (Original 12 Inch)
Eighth Wonder - Cross My Heart (Club Mix)
Holly Johnson - Love Train (Ride The A Train)
Paul Young - Wherever I Lay My Hat (Extended Club Mix)
Kim Wilde - You Came (Shep Pettibone Remix)
Ultravox - Dancing With Tears In My Eyes (Special Remix)
Blancmange - That's Love That It Is (Extended)
Shalamar - A Night To Remember
Heaven 17 - Let Me Go (12 Inch Extended Version)

Monday 5 October 2020

The New Jeff McCall Album "Somebody" Reviewed

Jeff McCall is an electronic musician based in the UK and started out as a lead vocalist of Synthpop band Malicieux Garde, in the early 80s, and it will come as no surprise that his music is influenced by many artists, from the 80s, including, Midge Ure, Vince Clarke and Gary Numan.

After a long break, he returned to making music in 2015 and was in a covers band called, Shades Of Grey. Soon after Jeff starting writing his own songs and released his debut EP "perspectives" in February in 2016 and debut album "Night Life" in October 2017. In 2019 Jeff released the album "Thoughts & Crosses", followed by the singles "Don't Scream People", a cover of "Neverending Story" and "Airflow".

That brings us to his new album which is called "Somebody" and features 10 tracks, let's have an indepth look at this synthpop gem......

The opening track is the title track "Somebody", which has a strong electro vibe and sounds quite dark at first but evolves into a solid synthpop song, a good opening track that sets the tone for the album.

"I See You" is certainly influenced by Depeche Mode, when Vince Clarke was the lead songwriter, plenty of hook lines and melodic sequences, Clarke's trademark, a track that sounds like it was made for Depeche Mode's "Speak & Spell" album, excellent track all round, great music and vocals, I can see this being a fan favourite.

Track 3 is "No Time To Die", which opens with haunting strings and then wallop, electro pop all the way, some nice piano parts, it's another catchy, upbeat song, not sure about the disorted effect on some of the vocals, not convinced it was needed, that said it is still a strong track.

"Twilight Zone", wow, a beautiful track, superb soundscape, great vocal and love the chorus, very "Ultravox", the structure of the track is truly excellent, piano parts again wonderful, great rhythm section, brilliant use of synths but it is the vocal that really stands out, without doubt, so far, my favourite track.

"Rick Rack" has a more minimal approach, which works very well with the vocal arrangement, reminded me of the sound of Depeche Mode on their "Construction Time Again" album, more of a ballad this one, which has been superbly executed. Perfectly placed in the running order on the album.

Following that track we have "Fallen Angel", which has some deep and dark sounds, punctured by melodic sequencer parts, another fine chorus on this track, I really like the darker sound on this song, another highlight.

"Imaginary World" definitely draws on the influence of Erasure, a superbly crafted synthpop track, Jeff has a talent to use strong melody lines in his songs and once again this track is evidence of that, some beautiful synth sounds used, a strong chorus, a synthpop gem! Love it!

Now i'm a sucker for sequencer melodies and "Part Of The Con" has a beautiful sequenced opening, I like the drums on this track, Jeff also introduces some organ and guitar parts, a fantastic driving Bass-line runs through the track, passionate vocal delivery by Jeff too.

"Your Eyes" is a mid-paced track which fuses together the influences of both Vince Clarke and Midge Ure, again the rhythm section is brilliant, a lot going on but he doesn't over do it, I like the sparseness of the track, plenty of space for the instrumentation and vocals, this is another highlight for me.

The album closes with the track "Goodbye Europa", which has a strong Midge Ure influence, Jeff even sounds like Midge on the chorus! some superb pad sounds used and again Jeff delivers an impeccable vocal, it's a moody track and a perfect way to end the album.

Over the years I have discovered an amazing amount of truly talented independent electronic music artists doing Podcast shows, and Jeff falls into that category, this album takes him to a higher level, 10 tracks of true quality, the album surprised me and I think fans are going to love it, highly recommended.

9/10

Jeff is doing a special offer, you can get the new album "Somebody" and his last album "Thoughts & Crosses" on CD at a discounted price of £15


https://jeffmccallmusic.com/product/pre-order-somebody-cd-special-2-x-album-package-deal/

The album "Somebody is available on CD here:

https://jeffmccallmusic.com/product/somebody-cd-album/

The album is also available as a digital download here:

https://jeffmccallmusic.com/product/pre-order-somebody-album-digital-download/

Rubik's 80s Mix #85

Edition #85 of Rubik's 80s Mix is now out on White Lion Radio

This a series of shows that includes the very best in 80s music all in one continuous mix.

The biggest hits from the greatest decade in music history!

A show guaranteed to bring back so many happy memories!

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Listen on Hearthis.at here

Playlist

Adam & The Ants - Ant Music
Duran Duran - Is There Something I Should Know
Visage - Fade To Grey
Kajagoogoo - Too Shy
The Jam - Going Underground
Blondie - Atomic
Blancmange - Blind Vision
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me
Nik Kershaw - I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
Martha & The Muffins - Echo Beach
Tears For Fears - Shout
The Human League - The Lebanon
OMD - Messages
Heaven 17 - Come With Me
Bananarama - Cruel Summer