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LP
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TAC 019LP
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Don't Stop is the third album retrospectively released by Ghia. As the subtitle Early Works & Artefacts 1984-1987 implies, it features some of their earliest compositions as well as tracks that were recorded during the same period as their Curaçao Blue LP. A range of genres, including electro, funk, soul, jazz-funk, synth pop, and even rap/hip-hop, all woven together as a cohesive, mostly instrumental work. As a whole, Don't Stop represents Ghia's funkiest and most experimental release to date. Notably, the LP features a rap version of Hermann Hesse's controversial German poem "Armer Teufel am Morgen nach dem Maskenball" (Poor Devil the Morning After the Costume Ball) from 1926, accompanied by a drum machine rhythm and funky guitar. The title track and the thrilling minimal electro-funk tune "3 A.M. at Moëf Gaga" both evoke old-school electro influences. The latter references the Spanish discotheque Moëf Gaga, located on the Balearic coast, which the dynamic duo of Lutz Boberg and Frank Simon frequented during their 1980s holidays. One of the key tracks of the album is "Message From The Other Side", which could easily be noted as one of the nicest European synth-funk instrumental pieces ever. The track is based on a sick synth bass line, sparkled with DX7 chord hits, funky guitar, and a delightful "marimba" solo. The solo was actually played on Boberg's keyboard, using a special sound cartridge. This particular track had to be edited and technically revised by Marian Tone and DJ Scientist as the existing demo version of the song could not be used as is. Listening to the complete album, there is more of Boberg's keyboard wizardry: the trumpet solo on "Jump In The Water" as well as the short but stunning slap bass solo on "Talk Too Much" were both played by on the DX7. However, Don't Stop is not about solos or virtuous playing -- it clearly shows the duo's direction towards more electronic composition and clear song structures. The versions of "September Garden", "When The Rain is Falling", as well as "Talk Too Much" are actually instrumental mixdowns of vocal songs. And again, you get a blissful take of "Close To You", here a version from 1986. Mastered and restored with great care, this is a perfect example of mid 1980s home-recording pleasures, tinged with a youthful spirit and providing a sound that cannot be recaptured anymore nowadays. Includes 30x30 cm insert with credits.
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LP
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TAC 015LP
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This Is is THE album by Ghia. It catches the band at its peak and features ten songs, including not only their impeccable hit, "What's Your Voodoo?" but a full arsenal of yet unheard, timeless, and soulful music without equal. The songs on the album, which were recorded between 1988 and 1991, could be considered forerunners of the downtempo genre, with one foot in the late 1980s street soul direction but sparkling with touches of synth pop and contemporary jazz-funk. The album starts with "Keep Your House In Disorder," which has yet again become another classic song from the band's catalog since it was featured as the B-side of the "What's Your Voodoo?" reissue. The song is about a relationship in which the woman has trouble adapting to her boyfriend's turn in life. This Is continues with the downtempo numbers "Crystal Silence" and "Close to You." Both are deep, one-of-a-kind, and previously unissued street soul ballads. On these two tracks, you can still hear the band's roots in jazz-funk. "Close To You" was one of the band's first compositions. Earlier recordings of the song exist with different singers and different vocals, but it wasn't perfected until Lisa laid down the final version and a choir was added. Next up is "Eskimo," an equally brilliant and soulful downtempo composition, but with more focus on synth sounds than the previous tracks. Once more, it showcases the creative lyricism of the songwriters, Boberg and Simon, imagining a train ride during a rainy and cold night. Eskimo leads to the aforementioned classic, "What's Your Voodoo?" Originally released in 1991 on the small Mikado label, it was reissued in 2019. This is proto trip-hop, recorded before British bands like Massive Attack, Tricky, and Portishead laid the foundation of trip-hop. "Angel On Your Shoulder" and "L O M E" are two more completely unissued and great tracks from the band's shelved works. Being a bit more up-tempo than the rest of the album, they fall between contemporary soul/R&B and synthesized pop music. "You Won't Sleep on My Pillow" was the original A-side of their single release in 1991. The album concludes with a really strong ballad entitled "I Haven't Got The Power." Here you hear only pianist and keyboardist Lutz Boberg with Lisa Ohm, without further instrumentation. This Is may easily be considered one of the best German late '80s/early '90s soul pop and downtempo albums ever recorded.
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LP
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TAC 014LP
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2024 restock. The story about the lost recordings of Ghia continues: Following "At The Hilton" single, The Outer Edge present Curaçao Blue, the band's first full-length album. And it is simply mind-blowing, to say the least! The LP features ten unreleased tracks in a similar Balearic vein as featured on the single. Incredibly, it was only just a few months ago that these tracks were rediscovered on some old tapes by band members Lutz Boberg and Frank Simon. Could anyone imagine that two physics students from a small German town could create such beautiful, thrilling music in their home studio? Although the technical aspects in the creation of the band's earliest tracks may have been straightforward, the outcome is high-quality, creative, modern jazz-funk, with one step in the electro-funk genre due to the use of a drum machine and synthesizer basslines. The album features mostly 4-track recordings, based mainly on the musicians' weapons of choice: a DX21 keyboard (later updated to the legendary DX7) and a guitar. Many things had to be done live in just one take, though the artists were unafraid of using overdubbing techniques to weave their instrumental journeys. The DIY aesthetics just add more beauty and uniqueness to the songs and compositions, and the result is an extremely harmonic work of undeniable musicality. Ghia delivers Balearic jazz-funk at its finest. Though the music was recorded in Germany, Ghia had a true relationship with the Balearic region and effortlessly applied the vibes to their compositions. Previously unissued full-length album. Fully licensed. Recorded between 1985-1988. Includes 30x30 cm insert.
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