Yazoo

 

Artist:  Yazoo

Origin:  Basildon, Essex, England

Genre:  Pop, Synth-Pop, New Wave, Dance, Alternative Dance, Club, Post-Punk, Proto-Techno, Electropop

Original line-up:

Vince Clarke:  Keyboards

Alison Moyet:  Vocals, Piano

Yazoo were an English Synth-Pop Duo from Basildon, Essex, formed in late 1981 by Vince Clarke (Keyboards Ex Depeche Mode), and Alison Moyet (Vocals Ex Various Punk and Blues Bands).  The pair released two albums,, Upstairs At Eric's and You And Me Both.  The Duo split in May 1983.

Title:  Upstairs At Eric's (2025)

Genre:  Pop, Synth-Pop, New Wave, Dance, Alternative Dance, Club, Post-Punk, Proto-Techno, Electropop

Label:  BMG

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  Don't Go (3:08)

 2.  Too Pieces (3:14)

 3.  Bad Connection (3:20)

 4.  I Before E Except After C (4:38)

 5.  Midnight (4:22)

 6.  In My Room (3:52)

Side Two:

 1.  Only You (3:14)

 2.  Goodbye 70's (2:35)

 3.  Tuesday (3:22)

 4.  Winter Kills (4:06)

 5.  Bring Your Love Down (Didn't) (4:40)

Personnel:

Alison Moyet:  Vocals, Piano

Vince Clarke:  Instrumentation, Spoken Words on Tracks:  1/4, 6

Upstairs At Eric's is the debut studio album by Yazoo, originally released on August 20, 1982 by Mute, remastered and reissued on June 6, 2025 by BMG, featuring "Only You don't Go" and "Winter Kills", Pressed on Crystal-Clear Vinyl.

Pet Shop Boys

 

Artist:  Pet Shop Boys
Origin:  London, England
Genre:  Pop, Synthpop, Art Pop, New Wave, Dance Pop, House, Alternative Dance

Original line-up:

Neil Tennant:  Lead  Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Bass, Violin, Trumpet
Chris Lowe:  Keyboards, Vocals, Synthesizers, Programming, Samples, Computer, Piano, Electronic Piano, Electric Piano, Drums, Electronic Drums, Organ, Panpipes, Tuba, Didgeridoo, Sequencers

Pet Shop Boys are an English Synthpop Duo from London, formed in 1981, consisting of Neil Tennant (lead Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Bass), and Chris Lowe (Keyboards, Synthesizer, Programming, Piano, Organ, Vocals).  They have sold more 50 million records worldwide and are listed as the most successful Duo in UK Music History by The Guinness Book Of Records.  Three-time Brit Award Winners and Six-time Grammy nominees.  Since 1985, they have achieved 42 Top 3 Singles, 22 of them Top 10 Hits in the UK Singles Chart, including four UK No. 1:  "West End Girls" (also No. 1on the US Billboard Hot 100), "It's A Sin", "Always On My Mind", "Heart", "Go West" and more!.  In 2009 Brit Awards in London, they received an Award for Outstanding Contribution To Music.   In 2016, Billboard Magazine name Pet Shop Boys the No. 1 Dance Duo/Group over the 40 years since 1976.  In 2017 they received NME's Godlike Genius Award.

Title:  Nonetheless (2024)

Genre:  Pop, Synthpop, Art Pop, New Wave, Dance Pop, House, Alternative Dance

Label:  Parlophone

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  Loneliness (5:37)

 2.  Feel (5:02)

 3.  Why Am I Dancing? (3:33)

 4.  New London Boy (4:53)

 5.  Dancing Star (3:02)

 6.  A New Bohemia (4:01)

 7.  The Schlager Hit Parade (3:29)

 8.  The Secret Of Happiness (5:25)

 9.  Bullet For Narcissus (3:51)

10. Love Is The Law (5:00)

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side A:

 1.  Loneliness (5:37)

 2.  Feel (5:02)

 3.  Why Am I Dancing? (3:33)

 4.  New London Boy (4:53)

 5.  Dancing Star (3:02)

Side B:

 6.  A New Bohemia (4:01)

 7.  The Schlager Hit Parade (3:29)

 8.  The Secret Of Happiness (5:25)

 9.  Bullet For Narcissus (3:51)

10. Love Is The Law (5:00)

Personnel:

Neil Tennant:  Lead  Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Programming
Chris Lowe:  Keyboards, Vocals, Guitar, Programming

Additional Musicians:

Abimbola Amoake-Gyanmpah:  Additional Vocals on Tracks:  1-4, 6-10

Nile Bailey:  Vocals on Track 1, Additional Vocals on Tracks:  2-4, 6-10

Senab Adekunle:   Vocals  1, Additional Vocals on Tracks:  2-4, 6-10

Daisy Vatalano:  Cello on Tracks:  2-10

Laura Moody:  Cello on Tracks:  2-10

Sergio Serra:  Cello on Tracks:  2-10

Val Welbanks:  Cello on Tracks:  2-10

Adam Chatterton:  Flugelhorn, Trumpet on Tracks:  2-10

David Hopkin:  Flugelhorn, Trumpet on Tracks:  2-10

Graeme Flowers:  Flugelhorn, Trumpet on Tracks:  2-10

Seratina Steer:  Harp on Tracks:  2-10

Alison De Scuza:  Viola on Tracks:  2-10

Zami Jalil:  Viola on Tracks:  2-10

Morgan Goff:  Viola on Tracks:  2-4, 6-10, Violin on Track 5

Amy May:  Viola on Tracks:  2, 4, 6-10, Cello on Track 3, Violin on Track 5

Anna de Bruin:  Violin on Tracks:  2-10

Emma Smith:  Violin on Tracks:  2-10

Hazel Correa:  Violin on Tracks:  2-10

Flora Curzon:  Violin on Tracks:  2-10

Jennymay Logan:  Violin on Tracks: 2-10

Lucy Wilkins:  Violin on Tracks:  2-10

Patrick Dawkins:  Violin on Tracks:  2-10

Ros Stephen: Violin on Tracks:  2-9

Ronald Long:  Violin on Tracks:  2-6, 8-10

Preetha Narayanan:  Violin:  on Tracks:  2-5, 7-9

Freya Goldmark:  Violin on Tracks:  2-4, 6-10

Carys Evans:  French Horn on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Joseph Ryan:  French Horn on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Richard Ashton:  French Horn on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Samuel Freeman:  Bass Trombone on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Chris Augustine:  Trombone on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Jo Stokes:  Trombone on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Barnaby Slade:  Tuba on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Koton Sato:  Violin on Tracks:  3-10

Simmy Sing:  Violin on Tracks:  6, 10

Nonetheless is the fifteenth studio album by Pet Shop Boys, released on April 26, 2024 by Parlophone, featuring the single "Loneliness".  the album reached No. 1 on Scottish Albums Chart.

Black Grape

 

Artist:  Black Grape

Origin:  Salford, Greater Manchester, England

Genre:  Alternative Rock, Alternative Dance, Funk Rock, Madchester, Britpop, Alternative Pop, Indie Rock, British Rap

Original line-up:

Shaun Ryder:  Vocals

Bez:  Percussion, Vibes

Paul "Kermit" Leveridge:  Vocals

Carl "Psycho" McCarthy:  Vocals

Ged Lynch:  Drum, Percussion

Black Grape are an English Rock Band from Salford, Greater Manchester, formed in 1993 by Shaun Ryder (Vocals Ex Happy Monday), Bez (Percussion, Vibes Ex Happy Monday), Paul Leveridge (Vocals Ex Ruthless Rap Assassins), Carl McCarthy (Vocals Ex Ruthless Rap Assassins), and Ged Lynch (Drums Ex Ruthless Rap Assassins).   Their musical style Fuses Funk and Electronic Rock with Electronic Programming and Samples.

Title:  It's Great When You're Straight...Yeah (2024)

Genre:  Alternative Rock, Alternative Dance, Funk Rock, Madchester, Britpop, Alternative Pop, Indie Rock, British Rap

Label:  Music On Vinyl

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side A:

 1.  Reverend Black Grape (5:12)

 2.  In The Name Of The Father (4:21)

 3.  Tramazi Parti (4:45)

 4.  Kelly's Heroes (4:22)

 5.  Yeah Yeah Brother (4:10)

Side B:

 1.  A Big Day In The North (4:10)

 2.  Shake Well Before Opening (5:40)

 3.  Submarine (3:50)

 4.  Shake Your Money (4:13)

 5.  Little Bob (5:33)

Personnel:

Shaun Ryder:  Vocals

Bez:  Vibes

Paul "Kermit" Leveridge:  Vocals

Paul "Wags" Wagstaff:  Guitar

Ged Lynch:  Drum, Percussion

Additional Musicians:

Danniy Saber:  Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Programming

Anthony Guarderas:  Bass

Stephan Lironi:  Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Slide Guitar, on Tracks:  A3, B3, Programming

Dahni Birhani:  Sitar

Michael Scherchen:  Programming

Bledynn Richards:  Harmonica on Track A1

Emma Day:  Backing Vocals on Track A2

Carl McCarthy:  Additional Vocals on Track A2

Martin Slattery:  Saxophone on Tracks:  A3, B5

Nic Nicholl:  Slide Guitar on Tracks: A4, B4

Helen Vigneau:  Backing Vocals on Track B1

It's Great When You're Straight...Yeah is the debut studio album by Black Grape, originally released on April 7, 1995 by Radioactive, remastered and reissued on January 26, 2024 by Music on Vinyl.  180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl.

Pet Shop Boys

 

Artist:  Pet Shop Boys
Origin:  London, England
Genre:  Pop, Synthpop, Art Pop, New Wave, Dance Pop, House, Alternative Dance

Original line-up: 

Neil Tennant:  Lead  Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Bass, Violin, Trumpet
Chris Lowe:  Keyboards, Vocals, Synthesizers, Programming, Samples, Computer, Piano, Electronic Piano, Electric Piano, Drums, Electronic Drums, Organ, Panpipes, Tuba, Didgeridoo, Sequencers

Pet Shop Boys are an English Synthpop Duo from London, formed in 1981, consisting of Neil Tennant (lead Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Bass), and Chris Lowe (Keyboards, Synthesizer, Programming, Piano, Organ, Vocals).  They have sold more 50 million records worldwide and are listed as the most successful Duo in UK Music History by The Guinness Book Of Records.  Three-time Brit Award Winners and Six-time Grammy nominees.  Since 1985, they have achieved 42 Top 3 Singles, 22 of them Top 10 Hits in the UK Singles Chart, including four UK No. 1:  "West End Girls" (also No. 1on the US Billboard Hot 100), "It's A Sin", "Always On My Mind", "Heart", "Go West" and more!.  In 2009 Brit Awards in London, they received an Award for Outstanding Contribution To Music.   In 2016, Billboard Magazine name Pet Shop Boys the No. 1 Dance Duo/Group over the 40 years since 1976.  In 2017 they received NME's Godlike Genius Award.

Title:  SMASH - The Singles 1965-2020 (Box Set) (2023)

Genre:  Pop, Synthpop, Art Pop, New Wave, Dance Pop, House, Alternative Dance

Label:  Parlophone

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

Disc 1:  The Singles 1985-1991:

 1.  West End Girls (4:28)

 2.  Love Comes Quickly (3:35)

 3.  Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money) (3:38)

 4.  Suburbia (4:04)

 5.  It's A Sin (5:01)

 6.  What Have I Done To Deserve This? (with Dusty Springfield) (4:20)

 7.  Rent (3:33)

 8.  Always On My Mind (3:54)

 9.  Heart (4:17)

10. Domino Dancing (4:18)

11. Left To My Own Devices (4:47)

12. It's Alright (4:20)

13. So Hard (4:00)

14. Being Boring (4:51)

15. Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You) (4:32)

16. Jealousy (4:15)

17. DJ Culture (4:14)

18. Was It WorthIt (7" Version) (4:23)

Disc 2:  The Singles 1993-2004:

 1.  Can You Forgive Her? (3:56)

 2.  Go West (5:04)

 3.  I Wouldn't Normally Do The Kind Of Thing (7" Version) (4:46)

 4.  Liberation (4:06)

 5.  Yesterday, When I Was Mad (Single Version) (4:00)

 6.  Paninaro '95 (4:10)

 7.  Before (4:05)

 8.  Se A Vida E (That's The Way Life Is) (4:01)

 9.  Single-Bilingual (3:30)

10. A Red Letter Day (4:33)

11. Somewhere (4:43)

12. I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More (4:29)

13. New York City boy (US Radio Edit) (3:20)

14. You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk (3:16)

15. Home And Dry (3:56)

16. I Get Along (Radio Edit) (4:11)

17. Miracles (Radio Edit) (3:57)

18. Flamboyuant (7" Mix) (3:40)

Disc 3:  The Singles 2006-2020:

 1.  I'm With Stupid (3:27)

 2.  Minimal (Radio Edit) (3:38)

 3.   Numb (Single Edit) (3:30)

 4.  Love Etc (3:32)

 5.  Di You See Me Coming (3:44)

 6.  It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas (New Version) (3:52)

 7.  Together (Ultimate Mix) (3:30)

 8.  Winner (3:49)

 9.  Leaving (3:51)

10. Memory Of The Future (New Single Mix) (3:36)

11. Vocal (Radio Edit) (3:25)

12. Love Is A Bourgeois Construct (Nighttime Radio Edit) (4:12)

13. Thursday (feat. Example:  Radio Edit) (3:56)

14. The Pop Kids (Radio Edit) (3:43)

15. Twenty-Something (Radio Edit) (3:41)

16. Say It To Me (New Radio Mix) (3:11)

17. Dreamland (feat. Years & Years) (3:28)

18. Monkey Business (Radio Edit) (3:11)

19. I Don't Wanna (Radio Edit) (3:21)

SMASH - The Singles 1965-2020 is a compilation album by Pet Shop Boys, released on June 16, 2023 by Parlophone, includes 55 Tracks, comprising most of the Duo's singles from 1995-2020 in Box Set 3 CD.

mile

 

Artist:  Smile

Origin:  Sweden

Genre:  Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Dance, Indie Electronic, Swedish Pop, Funk Rock, Electro Rock, Electronic Pop, Electroacoustic

Original line-up:

Bjorn Ytting:  

Joakim Ahlund: 

Smile is a Swedish Duo project of Bjorn Ytting & Joakim Ahlund.  Bjorn, who is a members of Indie Pop of famed international jet-set trio Peter, Bjorn and John.

Title:   Phantom Island (2022)

Genre:  Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Dance, Indie Electronic, Swedish Pop, Funk Rock, Electro Rock, Electronic Pop, Electroacoustic

Label:  Chimp Limbs Recordings

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  Kylie (7:14)

 2.  Call My Name (4:14)

 3.  Special Knock (2:27)

 4.  Kattens Pyjamas (4:41)

 5.  Troll-Holk (3:04)

 6.  Eon (4:09)

 7.  Dressed For Success (4:36)

 8.  Different Kind Of Fog (4:33)

 9.  Landsort (2:44)

10. Phantom Island (3:13)

Personnel:

Smile:  

Bjorn Ytting:  

Joakim Ahlund: 

Additional Musicians:

John Eriksson:  Drums, Percussion, Instruments (More)

Calle Olsson:  Keyboards, Instruments (More)

Robert Elofsson:  Synthesizer

Lisa Gagerman:  Piano, Keyboards

Freja Drakenberg (Robyn):  Vocals on Tracks: 2, 6

Emma Beskow:  Cello on Track 3

Chrstopher Ohman:  Viola on Track 3

Andreas Forsman, Erik Arvinder:  Violin on Track 3

Andrew Innes:  Electric Guitar on Tracks:  4, 9

Hans Stenlund:  Tape (Tape Echo) on Track 5

Moussa Fadera:  Drums on Track 9

Phantom Island is the second studio album by Smile, released on February 18, 2022 by Chimp Limb Recordings, featuring Robyn, and many more!.

Space

 

Artist:  Space

Origin:  Liverpool, England. 

Genre:  Alternative Rock, Alternative Dance, Alternative Hip Hop, Electronica, Neo-Psychedelia

Original line-up:

Tommy Scott:  Vocals, Bass, Guitar

Jamie Murphy:  Vocals, Guitar

Andy Parle:  Drums

Space are a British Rock Band from Liverpool, formed in 1993 by Tommy Scott (Vocals, Bass, Guitar), Jamie Murphy (Vocals, Guitar), and Andy Parle (Drums).  Franny Griffiths (Keyboards) joined the line-up a year later.  The band released hit singles such as "Female Of The Species", "Me And You Versus The World", "Neighbourhood", "Avenging Angels" and "The Ballad Of Tom Jones".  The band's initial work drew comparisons to 1960s guitar groups such as The Kinks and The Who.  The band pursued a more electric sound dubbed, incorporating electronic elements such as Synthesizers and Sampling and drawing from Genres as diverse as Hip Hop, Techno, Post-Punk, Ska, Lounge Music, Easy Listening and Film Scores.

Title:  Spiders  (2021)

Genre:  Alternative Rock, Alternative Dance, Alternative Hip Hop, Electronica, Neo-Psychedelia

Label:  Demon Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side 1:

 1.  Neghburhood. (3:28)

 2.  Mister Psycho. (3:40)

 3.  Female Of The Species. (3:17)

 4.  Money. (4:01)

 5.  Me & You VS The World. (3:35)

 6.  Lovechild Of The Queen. (3:39)

 7.  No-One Understands. (4:08)

Side 2:

 8.  Voodoo Roller. (3:15)

 9.  Drop Dead. (4:26)

10. Dark Clouds. (3:50)

11. Major Pager. (3:16)

12. Kill Me. (3:31)

13. Charlie M. (3:50)

14. Growler. (4:47)

Personnel:

Tommy Scott:  Vocals, Bass, Guitar

Jamie Murphy:  Vocals, Guitar

Franny Griffith:  Keyboards, Synthesizers, Sonic Manipulations

Andy Parle:  Drums, Percussion, Loop

Spiders is the 255h Anniversary Edition of the debut album by Space, originally released on September 18, 1996 by Gut Records, remastered and reissued on September 16, 2021 by Demon Records, featuring the singles "Female Of The Species", "Neighbourhood", Me And You Versus The World".  Pressed on 180 Gram Translucent Yellow Vinyl.