aztec camera : incredible demo tapes

There's an amazingly high amount of dross posted on Tumblr but sometimes you'll find something of interest. The person who posted it at Tumblr gave no indication as to what it was or who did this but after a couple of minutes on Google I found out that it was apparently done by this guy...  An interesting piece of work.

Source : andy2519

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Edwyn Collins (by Harry Papadopoulos)

Edwyn Collins
Orange Juice








image: ©Harry Papadopoulos

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orange juice : two hearts together 7"

orange juice
two hearts together / hokoyo
polydor records (1982)
posp 470

7" single version

As promised in the previous post here's a photo of the 7" version of Orange Juice's "Two Hearts Together" single.

Image : ©japanese forms

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orange juice : two hearts together / hokoyo 10" single

photo : david crausby  (all rights reserved © david crausby 2012)

orange juice

two hearts together / hokoyo

polydor records (1982)

pospt 470

This post features the cover of the 10-inch version of Orange Juice's excellent "Two Hearts Together" recording. This was their second release for Polydor but on the band's own imprint label; Holden Caulfield Universal - named after the hero of "Catcher in the Rye". You can catch a glimpse of the 7-inch version here -I'll post a copy of this photo later. Same artwork was used for both formats.

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postcard records : 80-2

image: ©japanese forms

orange juice
love sick / blue boy
postcard records (1980)
80-2

first presing with hand-coloured, fold-out poster sleeve and blue labels
(see reissue version here)

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postcard records 81-5 : josef k - chance meeting/pictures

postcard records 81-5 
josef k
chance meeting / pictures
1981


image: ©japanese forms

A bit hard to believe that I've had these legendary Postcard Records discs for over 30 years now and that they're still all in almost pristine condition. I'm also glad that I've kept them as they are true artifacts of a byegone era... and from a period where the very idea of an MP3 would have been considered as nothing but pure science fiction or the figment of someone's deranged imagination. How times change.
I've already posted photos of most of the Postcard singles at Flickr but they were done some time ago and I thought they deserved a re-post and of a better quality as the original posts aren't really that good. Anyhow, although far from "propfessional" this series of shots, not in any particular order, looks far better than those I posted back in 2005-2007. Expect some more soon. japanese forms

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postcard records badge(s)

This post is in reply to a recent comment (about this badge) made by a visitor... A visitor (Brian Hull?) who correctly pointed out that the badge in the above link was neither an original nor an "official" Postcard Records one. So here are a couple of examples of the original, official badges. One with a black background and one with a blue background. The black one is still intact, and in mint condition, whereas the blue has unfortunately developed some sort of stain... I imagine some rainwater infiltrated it when I wore it (for years) on my denim, Levis jacket back in the day. Unlike the denim jacket, which wouldn't possibly fit me nowadays, I've kept these badges for what must now be at least 30 years. Authentic and true artefacts of the wonderful but too short Postcard era. japanese forms

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what presence ! - rock photography by harry popadopoulos

If you're living in Glasgow or if you'll be visiting the city between 17th December 2011 - 25th
 February 2012 be sure to catch the exhibition of Harry Popadopoulos' photos being held at Street Level Photoworks situated in the Trongate part of the city. Features photographs of Aztec Camera, Edwyn Collins, Orange Juice -in their heyday, Postcard Records era- as well as lots of other very fine rock photography.




Many thanks to Nancy ( a Flickr friend in New York) for informing me about this exhibition.

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from the darklands

from the darklands, originally uploaded by japanese forms.

As usual, I haven't been updating this blog very much lately... Surprising because I really have a lot of items that I should add to it... Anyhow, here's at least one post for now... A ticket stub from a Jesus and Mary Chain concert that I went to see in 1987, in Antwerp, Belgium. Hopefully I'll add some more stuff in the coming weeks...

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edwyn collins : hope and despair (tape)

Tape cassette of Edwyn Collins' great 1989 'Hope and Despair' album. I've hade this (as well as the vinyl version) ever since it came out; cassettes were great (for then) in car listening pleasure and I used to buy lots of them. Still have numerous tapes: you can check some of them out here.

Image: ©japanese forms

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the vaselines : sex with an X

image: ©japanese forms.

the vaselines : sex with an X
45 rpm single / sub pop (2010)
sp 901

photo: wattie cheung
design: jeff kleinsmith

Sorry, folks but I've been severly neglecting this blog and have not been updating it enough. I really must take some time out and post and update more often. Anyhow, post featured here involves the latest single by The Vaselines -who also released an album with the same title: Sex With An X, on SubPop late last year. I must admit that I wouldn't have bought this if I hadn't come across it in a small independent record store the other day; a store that opened (hip, hip hooray!) just a few weeks ago apparently and that I'd never been to. Sounds like the usual Vaselines stuff of yesteryear to me... Which doesn't mean that it's bad but I rather tend to steer clear of bands that reform decades after breaking up. For followers, fans and faithful only. That's why I bought it; I suppose. Nice cover art. japanese forms

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postcard records tribute (flyer)

image ©japanese forms

Flyer for a Postcard Records Tribute Night held at Mono (Glasgow) in October 2007.

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postcard records (badge)

Postcard Records -
Badge / Button


First version of a series of badges featuring Postcard Records designs.
japanese forms





photo: ©japanese forms



sound of young scotland at flickr

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sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms postcard records orange juice fire engines

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orange juice - coals to newcastle (guardian preview)

Orange Juice -
Coals To Newcastle (Boxset)
Released today.
Domino

photo: ©domino

You can listen to 18 tracks from the Orange Juice boxset -released today 8th. of November- at the Guardian online. Follow this link.
japanese forms





sound of young scotland at flickr

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sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms postcard records orange juice fire engines

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aidan john moffat : ten short songs for modern lovers

aidan john moffat
ten shorts songs for modern lovers
7" mini vinyl LP (10-tracks on a 45 rpm single format)
limited to 1000 copies
chemikal underground (2010)
chem147

artwork / design : aidan john moffat
photography : unknown

Excellent new single (or ultra-mini LP) from former Arab Strap vocalist, Aidan John Moffat. Ten tracks in total, all of which fit onto two sides of a 45rpm 7” single. With a total running time of around nine minutes the ten songslargely deal with issues surrounding love, romance and sex. All delivered in Moffat's own inimitable style. Comes in a superb 60s style ep sleeve. one2zero

Available from Chemikal Underground  in a limited edition of 1000 copies.

Download version also available.

.......................

Image:  ©japanese forms.

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teenage fanclub - star sign 12" promo

teenage fanclub
star sign
12-inch ep
promotional copy

image © japanese forms

I obtained this disc under the same circumstances as the previous TFC promo of The King album. Actually, I have two copies of this one (I don't know why); both are still in mint condition. As with most Creation Records promo discs from that era it comes in a plain white generic Creation promo sleeve which sports the label logo on the front and the mention: A Creation Records Product. Printed on the back of the sleeve it has: Promotional Copy Only and the label's address. Band name, track titles and catalogue number are printed on one side only of the white label. I don't know if there are many of these about but I imagine it must be on the wishlist of any true TFC collector. one2zero


this side: star sign / heavy metal
other side: like a virgin / star sign (demo version)
creation records (1991)
cre 105 tp

Teenage Fanclub have just released a brand new album.

Teenage Fanclub - Wiki

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orange juice - coals to newcastle (boxset)

Orange Juice -
Reissue Programme (2)
Coals To Newcastle (Boxset)
Domino

photo: ©domino


Back in business, after a long Summer hiatus at SoYS, I'm pleased to announce that the Orange Juice boxset on Domino will be released on the 8th. of November. You can pre-order a copy here (UK) or here (US) and check out exactly what it contains.
A fabulous boxset by the looks it and probably as lovingly made and packaged as was the case with "The Glasgow School, " the Josef K "Entemology" compilation, and the Fire Engines' "Teenage Codex Premonition" album. Certainly an absolute must have for any OJ fan. japanese forms

What I previously had to say about this great initiative by Domino on this post.
Special thanks to Fastnbulbous for letting me know about the boxset release.

sound of young scotland on flickr

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sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms postcard records orange juice fire engines

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The Boy Hairdressers - Golden Shower EP

A bit of a rarity this 3-track EP by The Boy Hairdressers on Stephan Pastel's 53rd & 3rd label, I imagine. From the ashes of this band rose the mighty and fabulous Teenage Fanclub. Jim Lambie, world-renowned contemporary visual artist, was also a member of this short-lived outfit.

The Boy Hairdressers
Golden Shower
53rd & 3rd (1987)
AGARR 12T

Tracklist:

- Golden Shower

- Tidalwave

- The Assumption As An Elevator

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the jesus and mary chain - darklands ep

© japanese forms.

From the time when The Jesus and Mary Chain were at their very best. Seems like only yesterday when I bought this but it was actually released all of 23 years ago! The "Darklands" song, as with the eponymously named album, has a much more melodic sound than that of their previous singles but it's just as good as anything else the released in those halycon years as far as I'm concerned. I really like the artwork as well which includes photographs from videos by Tim Broad and John Maybury and design by Helen Backhouse. one2zero

the jesus and mary chain
darklands ep (10" vinyl)
darklands/ rider / here it comes again / on the wall (porta studio demo)
blanco y negro (1987)
neg 29te

wikipedia / myspace / JAMC

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teenage fanclub - the ballad of john & yoko

teenage fanclub - the ballad of john & yoko, originally uploaded by japanese forms.

A bit of a rarity, I imagine but I've no idea how many copies of this were initally pressed. A one-sided single with a photo of John & Yoko on the flipside label and the band members and Don Fleming's names etched into the plastic.

teenage fanclub
the ballad of john & yoko
paperhouse records (1990)
paper 005

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teenage fanclub - the king (cd & promo tape)

image © japanese forms.

teenage fanclub : the king
crecd 096 : creation records (1991)
+
creation records promo cassette for the same album

Album deleted on the first day of release. (wiki)
I really liked Teenage Fanclub back when this was released -their debut album and singles were quite fabulous. Working in record distribution I got the promo tape a couple of weeks before the official album was released. I, of course, immediately snapped up a cd copy the day it arrived in the warehouse. Next day the album was withdrawn from sale due to some sort of contractual problem or whatever (see wiki link above). It's a bit of a collector's item, I imagine, but I'm sure that there must be quite a few copies about. As for me, I haven't bought anything by the band since around 1995 but I've got almost everything issued by them prior to that. So, expect more "Teenage Fanclub" posts because I have quite a decent collection of their earlier releases. That includes their before-they-became-TFC 12" Boy Hairdressers EP! one2zero

Teenage Fanclub have just released a brand new album.

Teenage Fanclub - Wiki

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arab strap - there is no ending 7" single

© japanese forms.

arab strap
there is no ending / the first big weekend (four tet mix)
7" single (sleeve and label detail)
chemikal underground (2006)
chem094

Sound of Young Scotland - Flickr Group

Label detail from Arab Strap's penultimate single on Chemikal Underground. The label will be releasing a vinyl retrospective of the band's early years in May 2010. See here for more details. one2zero

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Fire Engines - Discord / Candyskin

Fire Engines
Discord / Candyskin (Peel Session)
45 rpm single
Domino Records 2006
RUG218

 

Recorded for the John Peel show 23/02/81. Broadcast on 09/03/81.

Issued to commemorate the 25th anniversary of its first broadcast.

Another image of this single can be seen here.

Image: ©japanese forms

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Arab Strap - Dream Sequence 7" single

Arab Strap
dream sequence / dead air 
Chemikal Underground - 2005
CHEM081 
Image: ©japanese forms 2010

The third-last official release by Arab Strap on Chemikal Underground in 2005. Another great track from the fabulous album: The Last Romance; an album more upbeat, as the band put it, but, like the tracks on this single, yet more tunes dealing in some of the darker aspects of relationships. Comes in a similar sleeve to the Speed-Date 45 with matching graphics and typeface. Artwork by Rik Lee. (japanese forms)


Chemikal Underground will be releasing a comprehensive box-set of all their early material sometime in April 2010. See here for more details.

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Arab Strap - Speed-Date 7" EP

Arab Strap 
speed date (filthy version) / preface: set the scene / the girl i loved before i fucked 
Chemikal Underground - 2005
CHEM086
Image: ©japanese forms 2010

Antepenultimate official release from what was one of my favourite Scottish indie bands of fairly recent years. Arab Strap saw the light of day in 1995 and almost immediately became one of the most influential bands on the late 1990s Glasgow music scene. Over the ten-year period that Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton played together, before finally splitting in 2006 to go there separate ways, the band released numerous songs that were no more than a celebration of a sexually empty, drug-and alcohol-dependent life. Indeed, right from the start and throughout their career a lot of their lyrics were sung not only in their native Scots tongue but continued to focus exclusively on drink, drugs and sexual misery. They were brilliant ! Now, as solo performers, both continue to make some fine discs that are certainly worth checking out. This ep, like most of what they released, is an absolute gem and a must have for any fan of the band. Artwork by Rik Lee. More Arab Strap stuff up soon. (japanese forms)
Chemikal Underground will be releasing a comprehensive box-set of all their early material sometime in April 2010. See here for more details.

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