VOD100: Conrad Schnitzler ConTainer T1-12 8LP-Box 114,99 €
Needless to say that VOD100 must be committed to one of the greatest most innovative and influencuial electronic musicians, protagonists and pioneers on this planet.
VOD honours Conrad Schnitzler’s life-time achievement with the Catalogue-Number VOD100 and the beautiful Retrospective of his 1971-1983-Works previously released just as a very limited 6xTape-Set on Transmitter Tapes in 1983.
The complete Box gives an incredible insight into Schnitzlers variety of works produced from the early 70’s to the early 80’s. From Industrialish and drone-ish-experiments and soundscapes to minimalistic „Pop-Songs“, all can be found on this Set.
(members receive a Bonus 7” containing a selection from Wolfgang Seidel’s Sequenza-Project in which Conrad was involved on Tracks like “Coca Cola” and “Das Tier”. Wolfgang has been a lifetime-friend and music-companion since the late 60’s and projects like Kluster). A Sequenza-Tape found release on the Berlin Label Stechapfel in 1980).
VOD101: Years on Earth „The Structure of Chance“ 2LP 24,99 €
Years On Earth’s electronic, experimental and industrial approach to their music reminds one of a mix of early Cabaret Voltaire, Eyeless in Gaza and Throbbing Gristle. It can be considered as an alchemistic creation, forming something very unique and amazing in mood and atmosphere produced and experienced by the listener. As Mutant Sounds website stated: “… wonderful, dark, claustrophobic, scary atmosphere... an absolutely unknown Gem!“
Years On Earth (Bob Roke & Mebz) have been active between 1979 -1984 producing three official tapes plus many hours of unreleased recordings. They hand built or modified most of their musical equipment and recorded in a deeply analogue way in their makeshift home studio.
Their three official cassettes from 1980, 1981 and 1982 were very well received critically by reviewers in fanzines and the music press alike and they continued to develop musically and sonically; mixing found-sounds, synthesisers, drum machines, treated guitars, plaintive vocals and eventually even lo-fi (by today’s standards) sampling, coupled with quirky song structures that ranged from minimalistic to almost cinematic over the course of these three tapes. Stick It In Your Ear fanzine said at the time, “For a band to come along with something as sharp and original as this is indeed reason to celebrate”.
The first three LP-sides of this set concentrate on each of the official tapes released. The fourth side is committed to previously unpublished recordings from between ‘79 and ‘84. The superb monochrome gatefold cover artwork is based on the original cassette inlays and compliments the music beautifully.
This release is one of the most important and highly anticipated by Frank of VOD-Records as Years on Earth’s music helped him during his sleepless nights, suffering from a major tinnitus condition in 2007, by playing their tapes all the time. VOD had wanted to release their music for more than four years but no one seemed to know of there whereabouts. Then about one year ago Bob by chance contacted Frank as he wanted to inform him about the cassette reissues on Calypso Now from Switzerland and finally Frank was able to realise this project and bring together what belongs together.
(Members will also recieive a 5-Track Bonus EP containing more previously unreleased material recorded between 1979-1984)
VOD102: KLUSTER „Klusterstrasse 69-72“ 8LP-Box 114,99 €
The Ensemble Kluster was found by Conrad Schnitzler in 1969. It can be considered as one of the most radical and influencial german progressive, avantgarde bands.
Its music-approach and playing-techniques are related to Stockhausen and the group "Nuova Consonanza" & its influences and protagonistic characteristics in music can still be found in works of many avantgarde & Industrial-bands of today.
Conrad’s continous working-partners over the years have been Klaus Freudigmann and Wolfgang Seidel.
Kluster worked also with various friends including Tangerine Dream or Hans Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius with which Conrad recorded and released three of the Kluster-Actions on Vinyl in 1971 called „Eruption“, „Klopfzeichen“ and „Zwei Osterei" and which then went on to form the Band Cluster.
Kluster performs with regular Instruments (Piano, electric guitar, Cello, percussion, electric organ).. Those sounds are recorded with a contact-microphone, transformed, manipulated, distorted, chopped-up, conveyed by loudspeakers.
The result is an exciting, raw and roughly structured Sound-continuum, rich on associations and of a fascination reminding and edging of a sound-magic.
VOD103: SEMA (Robert Haigh) „Time will Say Nothing“ 4LP-Box 64,99 €
SEMA is an 80’s experimental-project by Robert Haigh who became well known in the 90’s for his ambient Drum & Bass-project Omni Trio.
In 1980 Robert formed the industrial/avant-funk bands Truth Club and Fote as well as his own label Le Rey Records.
Between 1982 and 1984 he released 4 Lp’s under the name SEMA on his own Le Rey label: Notes from Underground, Theme from Hunger, Extract from Rosa Silber and Three Seasons Only - which can be found in this Box-Set Release.
He also contributed to several Nurse With Wound (United Dairies) projects. Those recordings are provided as bonus tracks on this Box-Set in addition to the 4Lp’s.
The music of SEMA integrates pianos, orchestral instruments and experimental techniques in a neo-classical and minimalist approach.
These legendary recordings employ a wide palette of light and shade, emotion, texture and atmosphere to produce a sound that is unique in its form and expression.
VOD 67re: Crash Course in Science „s/t“ 2Lp plus 7“ 28,99 €
This Lp2 plus 7“inch-Set in heavy thick gatefold-sleeve contains all Studio-recorded Tracks previously released as 3Lp-Vinyl-Set on Vinyl-on-Demand (VOD67)
The Legendary Minimal-Synth/Wave-Band from Philadelphia Crash Course in Science formed in 1979.
Choosing toy instruments and live drums out of necessity, CCIS began by experimenting with a series of recording devices. The toy instruments gave way to crude drum machines and “Frankenstein“-type homemade instruments.
Their first 7“ „Cakes in the Home“ introduced listeners to a noisy, unpredictable world.
This 7” went on to become a classic minimal-synth record that should be included in any vinyl-collection. The CD contains those Tracks plus additional Rehearsal Tracks from the early beginning.
In 1981 they took a new direction with a darker, more sinister sound. The result was the 12“ “Signals from Pier Thirteen” (also included in this set). The songs “Cardboard Lamb” and “Flying Turns” gained exposure through club play during the 80’s and still sound fresh and up-to-date.
The Set furthermore contains several demo tracks from the Signals from Pier Thirteen-Period (81)
The "Near Marineland”-Tracks contain completed mixes of previously unreleased studio material (along with some remixes of this material) arranged and produced by John Wicks, CCIS’s original producer.
After listening to this Box-Set you will be convinced and have no doubts about CCIS being the godfather of 90’s Techno-Music and their ultimate protagonist-role. They remain an inspiration pool for many Elektro bands/artists today.
5 NEW CD-RELEASES IN DETAIL
(members pay only 14,99 Euros)
VOD CD1: No More „Dreams Deluxe“ 2CD, lmtd.500 18,99 €,
This 2CD delivers a complete overview of the early recordings of the german Kult-Band NO MORE. It is an extended Version of the previous Vinyl-Release (VOD23)
38 Tracks recorded between 1980 and 1982 incl. songs from the legendary first two 7" (Too Late & Suicide Commando) and 10" (A Rose IS A Rose) plus material of the first two tapes from 1980 and 1981, Outtakes from the 10", demo versions of "Suicide Commando".
VOD CD2: Crash Course in Science „s/t“ 2CD lmtd.500