Synthetik FM (Bobby Clark) and X-Sonic have released a second volume of "Undercover 80s", which features various guest vocalists.
As with the fist volume that was released, this features some unusual re-works, which is the beauty of these albums, they have avoided all the usual 80s tracks that have been covered many times before.
The album kicks off with a brilliant cover of "That's Entertainment", with guest vocals by Hyperbubble, originally released by The Jam. This is a banging electronic take on what was originally a guitar based song, it is superb, a dance beat overlayed with electronic sounds and synths, very impressive arrangement and definitely an album highlight.
Mark Nicholas of Cosmicity (I have been a massive fan of Mark's work for many years) guests on the Huey Lewis & The News track "I Want A New Drug", a completely electronic version of a song that was an american rock track! Fabulous arrangement, the mix of the synth backdrop and Mark's vocals are perfect.
X-Sonic provides vocals on two tracks on the album, including "Touched By The Hand Of God", as a mad Joy Division/New Order fan I was really pleased to see this song included, a vastly underrated New Order track, arrangement is in line with the original version, I like the warm feel of this track, definitely a highlight.
It is some achievement to turn Ian Dury's "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick", into a breathtaking electronic track, however, Bobby has delivered a superb version, with vocalist Gary Flanagan, who has delivered an exceptional vocal performance, fused together the result is both bonkers, but perfect!
The next track on the album is "We Run", which was originally recorded by Canadian band Strange Advance and is actually a song I have never heard before, so I checked out the original version on YouTube, what a brilliant track, the version on this album is very close to the original and is fabulous, Y-my-R have provided a very strong vocal, again similar to the original, a surprising inclusion for me, it is an outstanding song, which is superbly executed, another big favourite of mine.
.....I did say that the album features unusual cover versions!
Delighted to see a Yazoo cover on the album, "Goodbye 70s" is one of my favourite Yazoo tracks and once again Bobby has delivered a stunning version, ably assisted by David Mahr on vocals, this is a darker version but keeps within the framework of the original.
"Maria Magdalena", originally released by Sandra and was co-written by Michael Cretu, the man behind Enigma, C.C. provides the vocal on this version, which stays pretty close to the original, it is an excellent version, I like the synths on this one and some nice sequencer parts and ooh I like those orchestral stabs!
Next is another song I am not familiar with "Hanging On A Heart Attack", originally recorded by Device, an American rock band, in 1986. The version presented here captures the 80s sound of the original and the vocals are excellent by Tycho Brahe.
I have always liked "Wonderful Life" by Black and the version presented here, is truly outstanding, arguably better than the original, I like that the arrangement has been developed, creating almost a chill-out feel, Bit Pixel has delivered a really strong vocal, the synth pads are atmospheric and that gentle sequencer is really infectious, beautiful middle eight, a strong contender for "best track on the album", what more can I say!
Wave In Head provide the vocals on the German version of "Big In Japan", probably the most commercial track covered in this set, obviously I would have liked an English version, however, this is a fine take on this classic song, pumping beat, sequencers and wonderful synth sounds.
"Magic Fly" is a song I do remember from the 70s, very futuristic at the time of release, Bobby has constructed a more robust sound on this one, adding lots of new elements, and bringing a fresh approach to the track and giving it an up to date makeover. A superb version, really impressive.
Following that we have a cover of The Buggles track "Elstree", the second song that features x-sonic on vocals, again wonderfully arranged and the synth sounds are a thing of beauty, stays close to the original version, it is also a reminder, how good this song is.
Eloquent provide vocals on the Bronski Beat track "Hit That Perfect Beat", a great driving dance beat, really like the sequencer parts on this rendition, plenty of energy in this cover, Eloquent have done a superb job of the vocals, mix that with the music and you have perfection.
Bobby had me stumped on Time Will Tell" at first, it sounded vaguely familiar, but had no idea initially, who originally recorded the track, after doing google searches, I found the answer, it was originally recorded by The Twins, who in their day recorded some excellent tracks! The version presented here is good with excellent vocals by Halovox, an infectious re-working.
"Kiss Me" was a song originally recorded by Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy, who was the original singer in Duran Duran, before they became famous. The version on offer keeps close to the original version and vocals are provided by Pacific Deep.
Gary Flanagan provides vocals for a second time on the album, singing in French on "En Route", which is a track by Telex, Gary does a sterling job on the vocals, the music is pretty close to the original version, but given a more updated feel.
I always liked the New Musik track "Living By Numbers" and the version here is really impressive, even Subimage, who have provided the vocals, sounds like the original vocalist Tony Mansfield, I love this version, pure synthpop, an album highlight and a perfect way to end the album.
As with the first album of 80s cover versions, this is an outstanding album, Bobby has pushed the boundaries once again and incredibly turned some tracks into electronic masterpieces, how on earth he has given electronic makeovers on tracks, such as, "That's Entertainment", "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" and "I Want A New Drug", I don't know, but he has succeeded.
A brilliant album, superbly produced and if you are into electronic music and 80s music, you will love this album.
9/10
The album is available on CD and as a Digital Download on Bandcamp and if you use the code "lion80" you can get a 10% reduction.
https://synthetikfm.bandcamp.com/album/undercover-80s-volume-2
