i-Select #92

Edition #92 of i-Select has been released today on White Lion Radio

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.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Listen to the show on Hearthis.at here

Playlist

Cosmomoose - Spaceport Legacy
Breathe Of My Leaves - All The Memories Made
Church Of Trees - Progression (Paragon Cause Darkwave Mix)
Neon Space Men - Leave In silence
Darkways - Dark & Light
808 Dot Pop - Distant Voices (Sequence 5 Edit)
Kraftman - Atomkraft (Arvid Tuba remix)
Positronic - Freedom
Kim Lunner - I Am Still Here (People Theatre's Edge Mix)
Rusty Egan Presents Ft Newmen - Dusseldorf
Machine Boy - HeadZ
Lifelong Corporation - Under Your Sun (Shadow Mix)
Telekon - The Game (RE-Active Inexplicable Remix)
CRED - Everything Is Real
Debris Discs - Losing The Matriarch
House Of Seb - My Dreams
Nattefrost & Toril Snyen - So do I
O'Dorian - Straight (Stormby's Euroclub Edit)
Positronic - Jump In
Neilio Ft Kaarin Zoe Lee - CYPHER
LonelyKlown - Like Karen Carpenter
Sergei Shmal - Open The Door
Dani Tamayo - Blue Fire
Rusty Egan Presents Ft Anne Clark - Our Darkness
SubClass - Undone
Melo - King Of Nothing
-COBALTO+ - May Song
808 Dot Pop - Modulation (On The Radio)
Machine Boy - Integrate
enter.me - Poison Fruits (2023 Remake Single Mix)
Kraftman - Riding Through The Alps (Arvid Tuba Remix)
DJ Toren & Humachine - Cool Like Florian Schneider
Darkways - I Like The Night (And The Night Likes Me)
Neon Space Men - Twisted Mind (Rob Dust Remix)
Scenius - Chinese Room
Positronic - Blue Song
Cosmomoose - Light Beyond The Stars

Maximum 80s #112

Welcome to edition 112 of Maximum 80s here on White Lion Radio, a show that celebrates the 1980s 12 Inch Single!

This a series of shows that features some of the finest 12 Inch Singles from the 80s all in one continuous mix.

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

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here or on Hearthis.at here 

Playlist

Pet Shop Boys - Opportunities (Double Your Money Mix)
Debbie Harry - In Love With Love (London Extended Mix)
Kim Wilde - The Second Time (US Remix)
Duran Duran - New Religion (Carnival Remix)
Depeche Mode - But Not Tonight (Extended Remix)
Lionel Richie - Dancing On The Ceiling (Extended)
Simple Minds - All The Things She Said (Extended)
New Order - Thieves Like Us (Original 12 Inch Version)
Stevie Wonder - I Just Called To Say I Love You (Extended Maxi 12 Inch Version)
A-Ha - The Sun Always Shines On TV (Extended Version)
Liza Minnelli - Losing My Mind (Extended Remix)
Sparks - Tryouts For The Human Race (Extended Version)

808 Dot Pop Album "AM 1350" Reviewed

We follow up our review of the 808 Dot Pop album "FM 88.2" with a review of the second album released for the World Of Radio concept.

The companion album is called "AM 1350" and as with the FM album, it opens with a special signature tune and station ident in different languages.

The signature tune leads us into the track "AM/FM" which is a nice opener with some dreamy sequencer patterns, strong bass-line and beat, I really like the middle 8 section synth melody, a super track.

A nice bit of tuning into the short wave bands introduces "Sing", starts as an ambient sounding track, very minimal, a tinkling melody and synth lead, the pace quickens with the introduction of rhythm and bass, a vocal line floats into the song, then we have the gem that is "Distant Voices", a "Radio" version is featured on the "FM 88.2" album and on this album we get the longer version, it is a fantastic song and one of my favourite tracks across all the releases for this concept, it's melodic and catchy, love it!

"Syntonic Telegraphy" has a warm intro with pads, very lush, this is another song in the collection that has a hint of the "Mind The Gap" period, the song develops well with sequencers bobbing along and a solid bass-line, puncuated with little melodic moments, another fine track.

Then we have......"Marconi (On The Radio)", not much more I can say about this track other than what I said about the song in the "FM 88.2" review, one of the finest moments Passenger S has given us, on this album we have the "Radio" version, which was the first single to be released.

"Radio Waves" has a strong synth base with sequencer parts pushing through, I like the mellow mood of this track, the bass sounds are a delight too, the pace quickens as it develops, another excellent track.

"Jan Moedwil" is the next song, he was the voice of Radio Belgium during the second world war, and Passeneger S gives us a historic soundbyte from one of his broadcasts, after some synthetic melodies guide us to the broadcast, a super track, excellent use of the sound clip.

Another track I liked when hearing the early demo is "The Detector", it was one of the songs that really stood out, even in its early form and the completed version confirms this, it has an irresistible hook line, the main melody is to die for, again we have the vocal talents of Lis van den Akker singing on the track, fabulous use of voice samples too on this track, this for me is once again one of the best tracks Passenger S has written, it is electro pop perfection.

An acid style bass-line introduces "Schumann Resonanz", love that voice clip, a superb find, the acid overtones continue throughout the track, giving it a deeper soundscape. a good track.

"Crystal Radio" is brilliant, tells you all about what makes a crystal radio set, I like the voice used, fits perfectly, narrated over sequenced melodies and bass-line, very well put together this track, this morphs into "Germanium" a dark drone like ambient section, then we have "S.I.N.P.O", a track I worked on with Passenger S, a track about radio reception reports, a wonderful track with darker tones and menancing melody lines, synth sounds are devine and fit the mood of the track, defintely a highlight on this album, from a personal point of view I am very proud of this song.

The album closes with the closedown of the show and our presenter bidding us farewell.

This is another superbly executed album from start to finish, you don't have to be into the history of radio to appreciate it or its companion album "FM 88.2".

Passenger S has developed an outstanding knowledge of radio and put together 2 brilliant albums, as with "FM 88.2" this album rates as 10/10

The album is available on CD from the Alfa Matrix Store:

https://store.alfa-matrix-store.com/product/808-dot-pop-am1350-cd/

For those of you that like your digital downloads, there is a 3rd album "AM 720" which features tracks from both albums, that is available from Bandcamp here:

https://alfamatrix.bandcamp.com/album/mw720

Tune into a radio show special all about the world of wireless, which includes music from both 808 Dot Pop albums, a chat with Passenger S and some great chat about short Wave radio listening in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Tune in on Mixcloud here:

https://www.mixcloud.com/whitelionradio/808-dot-pop-the-world-of-wireless/

Rubik's 80s Mix #112 (January 1985)

Edition #112 of Rubik's 80s Mix is now out on White Lion Radio and as is a New Year we have introduced a new idea into the Rubik's 80s Mix shows, each month we are going to feature songs in the charts on a specific month from the 1980s, this month we feature songs that were in the charts in January 1985.

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

or on Hearthis.at here

Playlist

Tears For Fears - Shout
The Thompson Twins - Lay Your Hands On Me
Spandau Ballet - Round And Round
The Stranglers - No Mercy
Ashford & Simpson - Solid
Amii Stewart - Friends
Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)
Billy Ocean - Loverboy
The Associates - Breakfast
Phil Collins - Sussudio
The Colour Field - Thinking Of You
Chicago - You're The Inspiration
Foreigner - I Want To Know What Love Is
Wham - Everything She Wants
Strawberry Switchblade - Since Yesterday

808 Dot Pop Album "FM 88.2" Reviewed

808 Dot Pop are back with 2 new albums all centered around the concept of the world of wireless, and in the tradition of radio, we have an AM album "AM 1350" and we have an FM album "FM 88.2".

For our first review we take a look at the "FM 88.2" album.....

I have been lucky enough to hear this album develop from very early demo's, the concept is something that brings back memories for me, because back in the Late 79s and early 80s I was a keen Short Wave Radio listener and loved building Crystal Radio sets, even from the early ideas I knew this would be a concept Passenger S would embrace, and I was always on hand for information about the subject and amazingly I also got to co-write a few songs for the project too!

The albums have been constructed as if you were listening to a radio show, so we have a signature tune to open proceedings, with station idents in different languages, the show gets under way with the track "RCA AR-812", which is a famous radio receiver from the 1940's, the track doesn't disappoint, wonderful melodies and sequences, really upbeat too, excellent use of voice samples too, really impressive start.

From there we tune into some shortwave radio broadcast samples, my that takes me back, lots of radio stations as you turn the tuner and plenty of atmospheric noise and interference.

"Heinrich Hertz" is a track I co-wrote with Passenger S, it has a darker edge to this song, lots of trademark sequencer parts and melody hooks, really excellent synth sounds and punchy bass-line. again the voice samples work a treat, excellent track :)

"Österreich 3" has a haunting pad intro with sequencers being put to work, has a similar feel to it as the previous track, good use of choirs, I like what he has done with the voices in the track, they sound quite sinister.

Next up we have the brilliant "Distant Voices (On The Radio)" featuring the vocal talents of Lis van den Akker, who provides a dreamy vocal over an avalanche of melody hooks and well crafted synthetic sounds, I love this track, pure synthpop, one of the outstanding tracks on the album for me.

"Cat's Whisker" definitely gives centre stage, to the skill shown by Passenger S, in creating beautiful sequenced melodies, electro pop all the way, I love how the pace picks up too, a toe-tapper for sure, excellent again.

"Galena" is a mineral that was used to make early Crystal Radio sets, it detected radio signals, a simple brass synth lead melody opens this track, with a voice sample explaining what Galena is and what its uses are and of course we have the sequencer lines.

That moves sweetly into "Modulation" another big highlight on this album, all elements of the 808 Dot Pop sound are in this masterpiece, wonderful sequencer parts, nice synth lead sounds, the lead sequencer that drives the track is superb, the chorus is very atmospheric.

There are many components used to make radio's, and one of those, is "Capacitors", which is highlighted in the song "Capacitor", excellent Dusseldorf rhythm track over which we have wonderful synth sounds, especially the lead synths, this is another upbeat track, another fantastic song.

Next we come to the jewel in the crown, the track "Marconi", this was a track that I instantly heard a very raw demo of and thought it was outstanding, superb melody, I knew this was going to be big track on the album, I was so impressed with the demo, I wrote lyrics to the song on the day I heard the demo of the track, sent them to Passenger S and he instantly liked what I came up with, so they were used for the song, which Lis van den Akker sings beautifully, this song has everything, it is awash with so many magical melody momemts, it's catchy and instantly grabs you, one of the greatest songs Passenger S has recorded, awesome!

"Marconi" then merges with a morse code message and then we are hit with the powerhouse "Antenna", which Passenegr s has said is his favourite track from the entire concept, a nice catchy intro with a synth lead and beautiful choir, the track builds and more melody lines are introduced, great bass synth too, then we see the bpm raised to great effect, the song develops really well and is another highlight on this album.

We then have "Closedown FM", which is the closing of the programme as the host bids you goodnight.

Perfection from start to finish, as a body of work this compares to the Metroland album "Mind The Gap", it is an exceptional piece of work, something he has put a lot of time and energy into and it has paid off. 10/10

The album is available on CD:

https://store.alfa-matrix-store.com/product/808-dot-pop-fm88-2-cd/

Next for review..............AM 1350

New Metroland Album Reviewed

Metroland return with a new album and concept, the follow-up to the excellent "Men In A Frame" album, released in 2018. The new album is called "0", the concept being ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution’, a term first coined by ‘Klaus Schwab’ on a World Economic Forum during mid last decade.

The album is released on double blue vinyl and on CD, which have different track listings and their is also a Digital Download edition, which has the same track listing as the CD.

This review is for the wonderful blue vinyl edition.

The album artwork is fantastic, very nice presentation, attention to detail is something Metroland have always been very good at.

So we get underway with Side A, the opening track is called "Industrie 4.0", which features some brilliant rhythm work, musically it is has darker sound palette, the bass-line is really excellent, this is a track that has really grown on me, has a bit of an industrial feel to it, a good opener.

Following that we have the 3rd single that was released off the album "Davos", this has trademark sequencers, beautifully programmed and a dusseldorf rhythm, I do like that Zap sound, according to the Karl Bartos autobiography (which is a fantastic read by the way), first created by Ralph Hutter on the "Computer World" album. Some excellent vocoder work and I like the melodies that cut through the dark sound, what strikes me even at this stage, is the production of the album is truly outstanding, in a club or live setting this would sound awesome. One of my favourite tracks on the album.

"Bigger Data" has an 80s style brass pad opening, which then combines with a superb bass-line, once again and then we have the sequencers, that are on fire on this track, quite an upbeat song this one, I enjoyed the different layers to the track, how Passenger S combines so many sequencers and make them work together is a mystery to me. Nice to hear the Speak and Spell voice samples on this, a very impressive sounding track.

Side A closes with In/Out with a brilliant sequenced opening, which is the bedrock of the track, I like the bass synths again, the lead sound is just too busy and overpowers the song, it is more of an incidental track, weakest track so far.

On to Side B, which starts with "Machine 2 Machine" which definitely has a Depeche Mode vibe to it, it's dark and laden with bass sounds and a brass pad lead, definitely reminds me of Depeche "Music For The Masses" era. Great rhythm programming again, the drum sounds are amazing, a promising start to this side of the LP.

Next we have the latest single "4ir Intelligence", my favourite single from the album, this has more of a pop feel to it, glistening sequencers, excellent voice samples, really upbeat, nice synth sounds used for lead parts, so far best track off the album!

"The 2nd Machine Age" is a well rounded song, excellent bass and rhythm and I do like the melodic parts and the use of the pad sounds, another observation at this point, the album is very much bass driven, well crafted bass-lines throughout the album, this is another one of my favourite tracks.

Side C opens with another track that was released as a single "Modulation", a powerful sounding track that again hints of a Depeche Mode influence, dark sounds make it lean towards an industrial track, the sequenced parts reign it in a bit from the industrial genre, which helps the track. Can't make my mind up about this track, elements I like but not keen on the heavier sound but overall it was ok.

"Smart Factory" has a nice intro that builds with a strong rhythm and dreamy sequencers, a throwback to their "Mind The Gap" period, really nice sound palette across this track, it has a nice pace to it also, another enjoyable track that maybe outstays its welcome at the end.

"Mimo" has some awesome sequenced sections, strong bass-line and I like the sequencer bass-line that runs alongside the main bass part, good use of voice samples, this is a track on which the sequencer programming really shines, I love the lead synth, reminded me of The Human League this track, really excellent and my 2nd favourite track off the album.

On to Side D, we kick off with "Klaus Schwab", I just love that melody line and sequencer, another throwback perhaps to the "Mind The Gap" period, the voice sample sounds amazing, long time Metroland fans will love this track

The album ends with a 16 minute masterpiece in the shape of "7 Principles", this has everything you want in a Metroland track, punchy bass-line, strong beats, beautifully crafted sequencers, fantastic use of voice samples, melodies it has elements of sounds that remind you of there previous impressive albums, complete brilliance that holds your attention throughout the 16 minutes.

This is probably the heaviest sounding and darkest Metroland album to date but in the context of the concept it works, I do miss those floaty melodic Metroland sounds and melodies (Enjoying The View, Quo Vadis, Utopia, Zeppelin etc), a very solid album overall.

The sound on vinyl is outstanding

8/10

The Double Blue Vinyl edition of the album is available from the Alfa Matrix store:

https://store.alfa-matrix-store.com/product/metroland-0-solid-blue-vinyl-2lp/

The CD edition is available from the Alfa Matrix store here:

https://store.alfa-matrix-store.com/product/metroland-0-cd/

The Digital Download edition is available from Bandcamp:

https://alfamatrix.bandcamp.com/album/0

New Kraftman Remix Album

Kraftman has released "Electrique Fabrique - 12 Inch Mixes", which featured 12 Inch Extended versions of tracks that originally appeared on the album "Electrique Fabrique, the Digital Download edition also features a bonus remix of "Atomkraft" by Arvid Tuba.

The album is released on a very Limited Edition CD and as a Digital Download, here is the full track listing:

 1. Waiting For The Day (12 Inch Edit)

 2. Atomkraft (Vapourized 12 Inch Mix)

 3. A Face I Knew (12 Inch Version)

 4. Gamma Rays (12 Inch Radiation Mix)

 5. Call Me Up (Long Distance Call)

 6. Electrique Fabrique (12 Inch Version)

 7. Giro D'Italia (Longer)

 8. The Lonely Robots (12 Inch Version)

 9. Bundesautobahn 52 (892KM Journey)

10. Florian (Matrix 12 Inch Mix)

11. Atomkraft (Arvid Tuba Remix)*

* Digital Download Only

Both the CD and Digital Download are available from Bandcamp:

https://kraftman.bandcamp.com/album/electrique-fabrique-12-inch-mixes-digital-download

808 Dot Pop & The World Of Wireless

White Lion Radio are delighted to bring you a very special and somewhat different type of show for White Lion Radio, on this programme, we’re going to discuss the concept behind the 2 new albums by 808 Dot Pop, titled AM1350 and FM88.2.

Throughout the show we will hear from Passenger S as he talks about the albums, the background as to why he chose the subject of Radio as a concept and more and we will be featuring music from the albums and radio chat from 2 short wave radio listeners.

It is a concept and topic that immediately grabbed my attention as in the late 70s/early 80s I was a keen short wave radio listening.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here or on Hearthis.at here

Playlist

Marconi - On The Radio
Modulation - On The Radio
808 Dot Pop - The Detector
808 Dot Pop - The Boys Of Wireless
Distant Voices - On The Radio
808 Dot Pop - Heinrich Hertz
SINPO - Album Version
Jan Moedwil - Radio Belgia
Antenna - Album Version

The albums are available on CD from the Alfa Matrix store:

https://store.alfa-matrix-store.com/product-category/808-dot-pop/

In addition there is a special Digital Download edition available on Bandcamp:

https://alfamatrix.bandcamp.com/album/mw720

New Positronic Album "Into The Blue" Reviewed

Positronic is the synthpop project of Michael McDannold, who has had a passion for making music since 1986 and has released 3 albums, now he unleashes a new album called "Into The Blue", which features 10 new tracks.

The album opens with the title track, which sets the tone of the album, in so much as, you know Michael has a passion for the music of Vince Clarke and Erasure. I like the marching drum pattern that punches through some really nice warm synths and pads, Michaels passionate vocals shine through on this opener.

"Falling In Love With You Again" is a strong upbeat synthpop track, some excellent sequenced parts, I like how the song builds towards the chorus, fabulous melodic touches too, a track I really like.

"A Long Goodbye" is a really strong highlight on this album and has been rightly chosen as a single, wonderful soundscape and outstanding chorus and melody lines, good strong vocal too, this would grace any Erasure album, really impressive track.

Following that we have the track "Freedom", a mid paced track with a great rhythm track and I just love those Pad sounds and bass-line, reminded me of early Erasure, especially the "Wonderland", a very impressive vocal performance too by Michael, again a strong chorus, his music has matured over time, that is something that struck me as soon as I listened to the album for tyhe first time, another candidate for a single in my book, I love it!

"Flames Of Love" has effective use of pads to draw emotion in the song, again some lovely sequenced parts in a well constructed song, I also think Michael has developed his skill at lyric writing, this song is such a pleasure to listen too, really is excellent.

Next we have another track that was released as a single, "Close To You", again he uses pad sounds to great effect as they dictate the mood of the track, not sure about the bass-line, it seems a bit grating and doesn't quite work with the rest of the music, that said, he has done a dam fine vocal on the track, probably my least favourite track on the album.

"Jump In", that's more like it! Pure synthpop with bubbling sequencers and dance beat, love the synth sounds, plenty of melodic highlights too, this is what makes a great synthpop song, heavy Erasure influence, the track even has some Vince Clarke type synbth sounds, excellent track, another candidate for a single.

"Losing Control" is another upbeat track, great bass-line and sequencers are on top form again, pure pop again, with Michael giving a heartfelt vocal, another fabulous chorus too, another strong track.

Back on the dancefloor....."Shimmer" has a full on dance beat and imposing bass-line, a chorus with an impact and fabulous use of pads again, he does make excellent use of pad sounds on his music, plenty of catchy sequencer parts and the whole track seems to build and build, the middle 8 ar 2 mins 34 secs is outstanding and unexpected, a brilliant song.

The album closes with the track "Blue Song" and oh that sequenced intro, a thing of beauty, grabs you instantly, a synth ballad that delivers both musically and vocally, what a way top close the album, one of the best tracks on the album, leaves you wanting more, outstanding.

Michael has delivered a solid and impressive synthpop album, he has developed his skill as a songwriter and produced a scintilating album of top quality songs, superbly produced too, the sound is amazing.

If you are a fan of Synthpop and especially Erasure this is an album you need to check out.

9/10

The album is released on April 14th and is available on both CD and as a digital download from Bandcamp, you can also check out all of Positronics previous releases on there too:

https://iampositronic.bandcamp.com/album/into-the-blue

Found out more about Positronic by visiting the official homepage

https://iampositronic.wixsite.com/website

New Shelter Album "Is This How It Ends?" Reviewed

Shelter are a synthpop duo consisting of Mark Bebb and Rob Bradley, that have been around for around 10 years, and have had quite an interesting career, as well as releasing 4 studio albums, including this latest album "Is This How It Ends?", on top of that they have supported Erasure on tour and have recorded an album with Erasure's Andy Bell, in addition they have released a live album and a remix collection.

It will come as no surprised the duo are heavily influenced by the music of Erasure.

The new album, released via Lexer Music features 2 CDs, the main album and a CD of remixes.

The album opens with the darker tones of "Zero Gravity", some wonderful orchestration and piano, blends superbly with the synth sounds, a passionate vocal from Mark guides us through the song, a superb opening track.

"Crystalline" is pure electro, infectious and upbeat, beautiful synth sounds, already a massive highlight on the album for me, perfection! Easy to see why it was chosen as a single

"Some Kind Of Angel" transported me back to Erasure around the time they released "The Circus", some nice sequenced parts and a dominant bass-line, Mark is on fine form with his vocals, a mid-paced synthpop nugget.

Next we are treated to a fantastic dreamy mid-paced ballad "Closer", outstanding synth work, what I have to say at this point is the prodcution is outstanding, I like how the mood of the track changes and at times the music becomes minimal to give Marks voice centre stage, another track I really like and it is no surprise that it was released as a single.

Following that we have "Invisible", which packs a punch with its synth sound palette and Mark's emotional vocal, I like how they use piano as well as synths in their music, they have the balance perfect.

"Is This How It Ends?" is of course the title track and what a song it is, piano and orchestration is the backdrop to a beautiful ballad executed perfectly, with Mark's vocals, truly outstanding, I love the synth melodies that kick in around 2 mins 30 secs, an undoubted highlight in this set of songs.

We return to the dancefloor on "The Edge", a sequencer fuelled track with a pulsing beat, almost a euro dance track from the 90s, again a track I like.

"Feel My Pain" takes you on a wonderful synthpop journey, with its upbeat nature, electro bass-line and sequencers join forces with some excellent synth sounds, catchy with some nice hooklines, a strong chorus, excellent once again.

Track 9 is called "Discovery", dark synth stabs and throbbing dance beat introduce the track before we are treated to some nice Pad sounds and Mark excels with his vocals again, reminded me of the darker side of Depeche Mode, definitely a different type of track, however, its sits nicely on this album, through headphones this track is awesome.

The album closes with the track "All About Me", the drum intro reminded me of Joy Division/New Order, the BPM is up for this one, some amazing drum work on this song, very electronic, very different, very good.

What a fantastic album this is, it is awash with Strong lyrics strong melodies and the combination of Rob's music and Mark's vocals, it is quite varied too, yes there are Erasure influences, however, that is kept to a minimum as they certainly have their own identity.

10/10

The album is available as a 2CD from Lexer Music here:

https://www.lexermusic.com/weareshelter/shelter-is-this-how-it-ends-deluxe-2cd-album

Found out more about Shelter here:

https://www.facebook.com/Shelterofficialmusic