The Beat Goes On....

400 Blows - Beat The Devil

Ripped from a 7" vinyl single released on Concrete Productions (CPROD 002) in 1982 to high quality lossless flac audio. Here is another repost in 16-bit flac rather than a re-rip. 

The original line up of Beer, Taylor and Fraser run down their Summer 1982 playlist (a mix-tape of jazz-funk, reggae, rap and Throbbing Gristle) on the inner folds of the cover, and then feed us a fine mix of dubby electronic beats and samples. Fraser's treated "keep on fighting, keep on fighting" vocals are reminiscent of Stephen Mallinder on mid-period Cabs. It was only in later years with the addition of bassist Tony Thorpe did the Blows truly find da funk.

A1 Beat The Devil
B1 The Beat Continues

The Dog's Bollocks

400 Blows - The Return Of The Dog

Self indulgently re-ripped from a 12" vinyl single released on Illuminated Records (ILL 2712) in 1983 to high resolution 24-bit flac audio. I think this is the third appearance of The Dog on these pages, what the hell, it's my blog and I can post what I like! 

A1 Return Of The Dog
B1 French Donkey

Movin'

400 Blows - Movin'

Ripped from a 12" vinyl single released on Illuminated Records (ILL 6112R) in 1985 to high resolution 24-bit flac audio.
A Movin' (Special Extended Club Remix)
B1 Groove Jumping
B2 Movin' (Instrumental Version)

Pressure

400 Blows - Pressure

Ripped from a 12" vinyl single released on Illuminated Records (ILL 3412) in 1984 to high resolution 24-bit flac audio.
A1 Radio Pressure
A2 Dubbing Pressure
B1 Club Pressure
B2 Perspective 2

Heavy Duty Breaks

400 Blows and 23 Skidoo - Assemblage

Just flicking through the blog archives, I realised that I had never ripped this to a higher quality that mp3, so here it is in 24-bits. Assemblage was a fine megamix of some of the best bits from the dance floor years of Illuminated Records bands 400 Blows and 23 Skidoo, with plenty of samples and loops thrown in for good measure. I'll use this launch an occasional series of re-rips of older blog posts (either to better quality or where I had previously cocked up the analogue to digital mastering), and/or had overlooked ripping them in the first place.

Ripped from a 12" vinyl single released on Saderal Fabrique (SLS 12002) in 1986 to high resolution 24-bit flac.

A G.I.
B American Epilog

Blow Your Block Down

400 Blows - The New Lords On The Block

By 1989, Illuminated had ceased trading, so 400 Blows final album was released on their own Concrete Productions label. Here is a re-rip of that final vinyl.

Apart from two re-works of Return Of The Dog, the balance of the album is evidence that 400 Blows had followed former labelmates 23 Skidoo out of the murk of the post-industrial wasteland into mediocre house and trashy uninspiring hip-hop. A few more house singles were to follow, but eventually 400 Blows ran out of puff.

Ripped from a vinyl LP released on Concrete Productions (CPRODLP 008) in 1989 to high quality lossless flac audio.

A1. Fundamental Islam
A2. The Return '89
A3. 2416
A4. Freedom
A5. The Return (Vocal)
B1. The New Lords On The Block
B2. Perspective 5
B3. Blows X 2
B4. The Jigsaw Of Life
B5. Endless

Moving On

400 Blows - Look

Look was released on the back of Summer 1985 mini-hit Movin' which appears as the six minute "club mix" version. It was also a vehicle for the band's more commercial singles, though the main single from the album, Let The Music Play (another cover) flopped. The over-plundered and weak Breakdown and a poor, pointless note-for-note cover of Rockwell's Runaway were also singles but never charted.

Movin' aside, Riots Over London and the superbly named Fred Wesley Suffers Spontaneous Human Combustion are highlights, alongside the Mantronix influenced hip-hop examination of Louis Farrakhan on The Charmer. 400 Blows rarely played to their true strengths after the early and innovative Illuminated 12" singles, and quickly showed signs of beginning to chase the dance floor charts rather than their true experimental roots.

Ripped from a vinyl album released on Illuminated Records (AMA 27) in 1986 to high quality lossless flac audio.

A1. Preserve Order In Conflict
A2. Let the Music Play
A3. Movin
A4. Breakdown
A5. Runaway
B1. Riots Over London
B2. Fred Wesley Suffers Spontaneous Human Combustion
B3. The Charmer
B4. The Morality of Altitude

Groove Jumpers

400 Blows - "...If I Kissed Her I'd Have To Kill Her First..."

I have finally gotten around to re-ripping the debut 400 Blows LP from 1984. A sublime mix of indie-techno-funk, dub, industrial noise and sampling. The pivotal track is six minute interview with Charles Manson, For Jackie M, however the highlights for me (and many others) are the superb hard indie-funk of Groove Jumping and Declaration Of Intent. The country bumpkin beat of Them Thar Hills is very out of place, like a deliberate ploy to confuse and distract. Released at about the same time, this record sits perfectly alongside 23 Skidoo's Urban Gamelan.

Ripped from a vinyl album released on Illuminated Records (JAMS 42) in 1984 to high quality lossless flac audio

A1. Groove Jumping
A2. Declaration Of Intent (Re-Mixed)
A3. Them Thar Hills
A4. Love
A5. Introduction
B1. Conscience
B2. For Jackie M
B3. Lapwing Chant
B4. Men Of Divine Wind (The Kamikaze)
B5. Perspective 3

The Beat Continues

400 Blows - Beat The Devil

Here is my copy of the debut 400 Blows 7" single ripped to lossless flac. The original line up of Beer, Taylor and Fraser run down their Summer 1982 playlist (a mix-tape of jazz-funk, reggae, rap and Throbbing Gristle) on the inner folds of the cover, and then feed us a fine mix of dubby electronic beats and samples. Fraser's treated "keep on fighting, keep on fighting" vocals are reminiscent of Stephen Mallinder on mid-period Cabs. It was only in later years with the addition of bassist Tony Thorpe did the Blows truly find da funk.

Ripped from a 7" vinyl single released on Concrete Productions (CPROD 002) in 1982 to high quality lossless flac audio.

A. Beat The Devil
B. The Beat Continues

Needle Times

Various - Funky Alternatives

We all bought this didn't we? This classic compilation brings back superb memories of the heady days of my youth. It is a bit worn out and there are many scratches on my copy, but now seems about the right time to attempt a rip. It has come out fine though the eager eared will hear the evidence of wear on a few tracks. John Peel was right, "real life must have some surface noise". As compilations go, this was immense at the time but for me at least, the concept had worn a but thin by Funky Alternatives Three. 

I ripped to 24/96 this time and then down sampled a copy to standard 16/44 for those who value their hard drive space, so you have a choice of resolutions. Enjoy!

Ripped from a vinyl album released on Concrete Productions (CPRODLP 001) in 1987 to high resolution flac audio.

A1. 23 Skidoo - Shugyosha Step
A2. Tackhead - King Of The Beat
A3. New Order - Evil Dust (Remix)
A4. 400 Blows - Needle Time
A5. Cultural Thugs - Christians To The Lions
B1. D.A.F. - Brothers (Gabis' Mix)
B2. Colourbox - Manic (Instrumental Remix)
B3. Chris & Cosey - October (Love Song)
B4. Empty Quarter - Crucial Lover
B5. Nocturnal Emissions - No Separation

Break Beats

Various - Breaking the Back Of Love

Regulars will know that I am a bit of a label-centric and have been known to purchase records based upon the release record label before actually hearing the music. In 1985, Illuminated Records made a sharp turn chasing commercial success following 400 Blows dent on the hit parade but this was to eventually be their downfall and the label folded shortly after. French indie label Saderal had begun licensing some releases until their collapse. One of the few items to be released in the UK was this interesting compilation of Illuminated related bands. Most of the acts have featured here before, except for the ital-disco-pop of Colour Me Pop, the post-goth hi-energy of Lilly AK, and the difficult & incoherent Sex Gang Children. Those of a weaker constitution may be distressed by The Leather Nun's attempt to tickle America's prostate in their own unique way. ahem!

Ripped from a vinyl album released on Saderal Records (SDLP 1) in 1985 to high quality lossless flac audio.

A1. 400 Blows - Pressure
A2. Lilly A.K. - Take Me Now
A3. Portion Control - Raise The Pulse
A4. Out - Business As Usual
A5. Colour Me Pop - Beat Me Till I'm Blue
A6. The Leather Nun - F.F. America
B1. Lilly A.K. - Passionate Strangers
B2. Sex Gang Children - Into The Abyss
B3. Colour Me Pop - Go
B4. Heavy Duty Breaks - Heavy Duty Breaks
B5. Dormannu - Degenerate

Declaration Of Intent

400 Blows - Declaration Of Intent

Nobody came close to what Rob Taylor, Tony Thorpe, Alex Fraser and Andrew Edward Beer were doing in the studio in 1984 (ok, except for those nice 23 Skidoo chaps). Throw in some nutty over-dubs by the Mad Professor and you get the hardest of indie-funk in three mixes. Another worthy re-rip in 24/96 to get your toes tapping.

Ripped from a 12" vinyl single released on Illuminated Records (ILL 3012) in 1984 to high resolution 24-bit FLAC audio.
A. Declaration Of Intent
B1. Black & White Mix Up 1
B2. Black & White Mix Up 2
B3. Perspective 1

You may also likely appreciate,

Return Of The Dog

Groove Jumping

Groove Jumping

400 Blows - Groove Jumping

Take a hard beat-box rhythm, add a heavy funk bass-line and keyboards, then overlay samples and tape loops. That's pretty easy these days without even picking up a musical instrument or entering a studio. However, this was 1984 and Groove Jumping is one of the hardest & funkiest tracks to come out of the UK's alternative dance scene. Released only as a 12" on Illuminated and only ever aired on Peel, it never received the recognition deserved. A classic.

Ripped from a 12" vinyl single released on Illuminated Records (Ill 4812) in 1984 to high resolution and high quality 24-bit lossless FLAC audio.

A. Groove Jumping

B. Strangeways (Revisited)

400 Blows - Return Of The Dog

One of the very first posts here was a compilation of the 400 Blows singles. I'm not going to recompile them as a lossless set, but I am going to work my way back through them re-ripping one by one as lossless posts.

Ripped from fantastic heavyweight vinyl, this moody, number jumps of the platter and bites you hard. Gruff treated vocals, funky bass and lots of congas - it's up there with Coup and Waterline in my book.

Return Of The Dog : ripped from a 12" vinyl single released on Illuminated Records (ILL 2712) in 1983 to high quality lossless FLAC audio.

A. Return Of The Dog

B. French Donkey

Re:Upped

Various Artists - Abstract Magazine : Volume 5

A lossless treat in flac. A few other sites have posted rips of this highly collectible series, so here at ESWA we set the bar higher and post a lossless audio rip.

Rob Deacon's excellent Abstract Magazine focused on indie electronic and industrial sounds, and his own love of The Wolfgang Press, who had more coverage that others. The first three were in print only and the fourth featured mostly Third Mind Records artists on an album Life At The Top. He then got a bank loan and set up his own label which was to become Sweatbox Records.

The magazine featured articles and interviews of the the bands on the records alongside numerous album and single reviews. Regrettably, I haven't included scans as my flatbed has just decided that it is no longer compatible with Windows 7.

Abstract Five is a complex and at times difficult listen with obscure alternatives by Test Department (featuring a Scottish miner and a pipe band live), experimental samples and loops by 400 Blows, as well as obscure interpretations of sound by Swans and Cindytalk (with bonus skips). Highlights have to be the slightly different working of Colourbox's Manic, the demo Nyam Nyam track and the pounding beats of In The Nursery (though unlabelled as such). Those of a more doomy disposition will find the Gene Loves Jezebel, And Also The Trees ...oh and of course The Wolfgang Press entertaining.

Abstract 5 : ripped from a 12" vinyl LP self-released (AMO 5) in 1985
A1. Fuel Foundation Of The Nation (Live) - Test Department
A2. Fire Eater (Remix) - The Wolfgang Press
A3. Fire And Water - 400 Blows
A4. Sealed In Skin - Swans
A5. Playtime - Cindytalk
B1. Manic (Remix) - Colourbox
B2. Flame - Gene Loves Jezebel
B3. Maps In Her Wrists And Arms - And Also The Trees
B4. This Is The Place (Demo) - Nyam Nyam
B5. Leaving It Up To You (Live) - The Jazz Butcher
B6. Sentient - In The Nursery

Re:Upped

Various - Illuminated Records Megamix - Heavy Duty Breaks

Re-ripped! I thought I'd redo my rip of this album using new hardware and post it as lossless for all the audiophiles out there. Here again is the superb Illuminated Records Megamix released as Heavy Duty Breaks, but this time in high quality audio.

Heavy Duty Breaks : Ripped from the 1984 Illuminated Records LP (JAMS 49)

A Side400 Blows - Pressure
23 Skidoo - F.U.G.I
Out - Tough EnoughDormannu - The DreadZazou - M'pasi Ya Pamba400 Blows - Grove Jumping23 Skidoo - Coup400 Blows - Declaration of Intent
B Side
Executive Slacks - Our LadyData - Blow
Portion Control - Raise The PulseData - Blow
Portion Control - Go TalkPower to Dream - Faith HealerTara Butler - Up Against the WallPower to Dream - Faith HealerSex Gang Children - Dieche

Re:Upped

Various - Gate That Snare!

Very much like it's contemporary, Factory Records, the Illuminated label turned towards the promotion of dance music in the mid-80s. House music and Rap imports were flooding over from the USA, and the label's mainstay 400 Blows had a minor dance hit with Movin' and then 23 Skidoo began to flirt with rap.

This 5 track EP was released in 1985, aimed at the promotional market and the many DJs who had now begun to influence music purchases and chart positions from the dance floor. I'd be lying if I said it was any good! None of the subsequent singles made any impact in reality and it was to sound the death bell of what was once a truly influential and ground breaking label.

Chai-Am were the 400 Blows backing singers, their weak cover of the War standard is quite forgettable, 400 Blows themselves contributed yet another remix of the awful Breakdown.

The EP is saved by two stand-outs. The soulful Traitor by Elevation is superb and should have broken through and found chart success - it still manages to stand up well over 25 years on. The Deutsch-Amerikanische Freundschaft standard Brothers is given more space on vinyl, and again though it was never a hit, is one of the finest outputs by the label.

I've decided to start experimenting with lossless (flac format) posts, and this will be the first. Many will also be pleased to see ESWA zips on Megaupload for the first time.

Gate That Snare! : ripped from a 12" vinyl EP released on Illuminated Records (12 PDS 85) in 1985
A1. Me And Baby Brother (Remix) - Chai-Am
A2. Traitor - Elevation
A3. Breakdown (Re-re-remix) - 400 Blows
B1. Brothers (Gabi's Remix) - D.A.F.
B2. Dance Crazy (Mid-Length Remix) - Chai-Am

Hear

400 Blows - John Peel Radio Session 1984

400 Blows : BBC Radio John Peel Session

Recorded : 8th February 1984
Broadcast : 16th February 1984

Producer - Dale Griffin
Engineer - Nick Gomm
Studio - BBC Maida Vale 5

1. For Jackie M
2. Introduction
3. Still Beating That Devil
4. Conscience

Listen

400 Blows - The New Lords On The Block

By 1989, Illuminated had ceased trading, so 400 Blows final album was released on their own Concrete Productions label.
Apart from two re-works of Return Of The Dog, the balance of the album indicated that 400 Blows had followed former labelmates 23 Skidoo out of the murk of a post-industrial wasteland into house and hip-hop.

The New Lords On The Block : ripped from a vinyl LP released on Concrete Productions (CPRODLP 008) in 1989
A1. Fundamental Islam
A2. The Return '89
A3. 2416
A4. Freedom
A5. The Return (Vocal)
B1. The New Lords On The Block
B2. Perspective 5
B3. Blows X 2
B4. The Jigsaw Of Life
B5. Endless

Three additional tracks were on the CD which are bundled in the zip

Re:Rip Imminent

400 Blows - Look

Look was released after 1985's mini-hits Movin' and Breakdown. It was a vehicle for the band's more commercial vein, though the main single from the album, Let The Music Play flopped. Another single Runaway followed but as you will hear, it is pretty awful.
Movin' aside, Riots Over London and the superbly named Fred Wesley Suffers Spontaneous Human Combustion are highlights. The CD version of the album featured the vocal version of Riots. (included here too)

Look : originally released on a vinyl LP on Illuminated Records (AMA 27) in 1986
A1. Preserve Order In Conflict
A2. Let the Music Play
A3. Movin
A4. Breakdown
A5. Runaway
B1. Riots Over London
B2. Fred Wesley Suffers Spontaneous Human Combustion
B3. The Charmer
B4. The Morality of Altitude

Re:Rip Imminent