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viewing 1 To 14 of 14 items
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LP
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EDGE 032LP
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$29.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 6/20/2025
When The Outer Edge first collaborated with Collage member Markus Kammann on the EP project Mit den Puppen tanzen, it never imagined what would follow: Kammann approached the label with a completely unreleased full-length album by his former band. Upon receiving the first three preview tracks, The Outer Edge was floored. One of them was "Nachtcafé" -- a track that kicks off with a funky bassline layered over the punchy rhythm of a Roland TR-808. Add shimmering synths and Katrin A. Kunze's sharp, distinctive vocals. For a label dedicated to rediscovering lost treasures, this was exactly what it'd been searching for. Motel d'amour is a concept album, offering a sharp, vibrant perspective from a confident, intelligent, and radiant young woman eager to experience nightlife, love, and music. Kunze's lyrics paint vivid scenes of flirtation, encounters with men, the pulse of nightlife, love, one-night stands, and more. Rarely has a German album from that era captured emotional nuance and social dynamics so insightfully. Without veering into the overly personal, Kunze's direct, daring lyrical style was groundbreaking at the time -- and remains refreshingly bold today. While German listeners will fully appreciate the lyrical depth, the music speaks volumes on its own. Kunze's words are masterfully complemented by the production of Markus Kammann and Jürgen Grah. Each track is tightly composed, catchy, and full of character. While many German bands at the time leaned into rock, Kammann drew from the deep grooves of Earth, Wind & Fire, The Isley Brothers, Brothers Johnson, The Commodores, and the electro-futurism of Afrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock" and "Looking for the Perfect Beat." The result: tracks with unmistakable electro-funk flair, powered by the classic 808 drum sound. It's a record that fits into adventurous DJ sets but also rewards a full, start-to-finish listen. A note on audio quality: Sadly, the original master tapes were lost. The tracks were restored from a vintage TDK cassette. Thanks to modern digital tools, The Outer Edge were able to remaster them to a high standard -- but in some songs light distortions remain.
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12"
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EDGE 030EP
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$21.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 6/6/2025
First official reworks of the disco/jazz-funk masterpiece "Trip To Your Mind" -- now available for the first time with a picture cover featuring a classic shot of composer Reginald Hudson on the front. For decades, "Trip To Your Mind" was celebrated as a Brit Funk classic, though its true origins remained a mystery. While recorded at London's Advision Studio, Hudson People were neither local nor British -- a fact first uncovered with its official 2022 reissue on Backatcha Records. In interviews with label owner DJ Scientist, Reg Hudson revealed that the backing band behind his composition was Body Heat, a GI group based in Germany. The recording, believed to date back to around 1977, remained shelved for some time. By the time it was finally released in 1979, Body Heat was on the verge of disbanding, leading to the track being credited to Hudson People. Since then, "Trip To Your Mind" has been heavily bootlegged and compiled since the late '90s, cementing its status as an in-demand classic. For this rework release, the A-side features a brilliant DJ-friendly edit by Delfonic, based on the original "Hithouse" mix. Delfonic's masterful editing ensures the track keeps listeners engaged until the very end. The B-side features a rework by Italian DJ and producer Luca Trevisi, aka LTJ Xperience. His version is based on the Ensign remix of "Trip To Your Mind" by Chris Hill and Robbie Vincent. The new mix was mastered by Frederic Stader on an EMI TG124 -- an iconic mixing desk, famously used at Abbey Road Studios. Both edits preserve the psychedelic essence of the original while making it more compatible with modern listening habits. Pressed on a high-quality, loud-cut 12", this release is a must-have for any DJ's collection.
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LP
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EDGE 031LP
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$28.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 5/30/2025
A pioneering force in African music, Jo Tongo has always been on top of the game. Since the late '60s he has been recording music under his early Jojo L'Explosif moniker. His debut album Jo Tongo was released 1976 on Fiesta/Decca and features classic tracks like "Jangolo" and "Piani." Now, after decades of underground influence and global recognition, his second album Sa Discossa (1980) is re-released for the first time. An electrifying fusion of African rhythms, disco, makossa, reggae and funk, it reflects his lifelong journey of musical exploration and cultural storytelling and claims its place as an essential recording in the Afro-disco movement. Jo Tongo's music is inseparable from his life's story -- a journey that spans continents, struggles, and victories. From his early years as a leading African musician before the global rise of Afrobeat, to his deep roots in classical training, and his time performing in France and Germany, his sound is shaped by a rich blend of influences. Having played in bands across Europe, from American military bases in Germany to the jazz and soul circuits of Paris, he absorbed the pulse of multiple musical worlds, creating a sound uniquely his own. His work reflects his strong political stance against colonialism, social injustice, and oppression. Throughout his career, Tongo has used his platform to advocate for African identity and independence. His songs, layered with messages of social consciousness, have continued to resonate with younger generations who recognize the relevance of his words even today. Sa Discossa is more than just a disco record. It embodies Jo Tongo's philosophy of resistance, identity, and celebration. The title itself is a blend of "disco" and "makossa," reflecting the seamless fusion of African groove and the dancefloor energy that defined the era. Tracks like "Bunya," sung in his native language, carry messages of love, gratitude, and resilience -- sentiments that remain as relevant today as they were nearly 50 years ago. Despite taking a step back from the stage in recent years, he remains open to new possibilities. "Music is like a fire -- it never truly dies. I have a lot to say, and music is the best way to say it," he says. For Jo Tongo, music is more than entertainment -- it's a language of truth, a testament to history, and a bridge between cultures. With Sa Discossa returning under the African Edge series on The Outer Edge label, Jo Tongo's legacy continues to resonate, proving that real music never fades.
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7"
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EDGE 029EP
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Imagine having a song go viral for 17 years -- without even knowing it. That's exactly what happened to the German 1980s band FEX. And this isn't just any song -- it's "The Most Mysterious Song on the Internet," a track that puzzled music detectives for decades before finally being identified in November 2024. Now, it has been officially released. The Story in Brief: Sometime around 1984, a song was broadcasted on NDR Radio. The name of the song was "Subways Of Your Mind" -- only found out 40 years later in November 2024. Back then, a listener recorded the NDR show on cassette, a common practice at the time. Decades later, the tape resurfaced, but while most songs from the recording were identified, one remained an enigma. On March 18, 2007, the track was uploaded to the internet in an attempt to uncover its origins. Due to its now-iconic opening lyric, it was tentatively titled "Like The Wind." Over time, the mystery deepened, and the song was given a nickname: "The Most Mysterious Song" -- or simply "TMMS." Then, in 2024, the breakthrough: Reddit user marjin1412 reached out to musician Michael Hädrich after discovering a reference to his band FEX in an old newspaper article. Hädrich, FEX's keyboardist, provided a recording from an old demo cassette which included an alternative version of the song. On November 4, 2024, the mystery was officially solved: FEX was the band, "Subways Of Your Mind" was the title. A higher-quality version of the NDR radio recording was rediscovered in late December, 2024, remastered, and now sent for a second vinyl pressing: the "TMMS Version." This new vinyl 7" is backed with "Talking Hands," another great and unissued song that was found on the demo cassette.
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12"
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EDGE 027EP
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The Outer Edge presents Collage's incredible four-track EP Mit den Puppen tanzen (Dancing With The Puppets). Originally released in 1984 on the small F-Music label, the 12" EP is a true highlight in German Electro and NDW history, becoming a sought-after item among collectors. It features intense lyrics by singer Katrin A. Kunze, with music composed by Markus Kammann and Jürgen Grah. Kammann and Grah, both originally from Solingen -- a small city near Wuppertal -- had previously collaborated on the new wave project Schwarze Bewegung with a different singer. Their self-titled LP was released in 1982 on Bacillus/Bellaphon. Much of the electronic music emerging from Germany at the time leaned towards the styles of artists like Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream. Kammann's influences are evident in Collage's EP, which incorporates elements of early electronic hip-hop, such as the scratching sounds in the title track (created with tape rather than turntables) and short rap segments in "Niemals zurück". All the lyrics on the EP were written and performed by Kathrin A. Kunze, who hailed from Cuxhaven, a northern German city. The EP's hard yet playful electro beats were complemented by Kunze's distinctive performance and introspective lyrics, which lent the songs a uniquely German and wavy touch. Her subtle songwriting conveyed a sense of paranoia and sorrow. Unfortunately, the EP was never properly promoted and was distributed solely through the independent market via EFA. Despite this, Collage continued working on new material and pre-recorded an album that garnered label's attention. Polydor expressed interest but proposed using the compositions for a solo project with singer Inga Humpe (of Neonbabies), who was already signed to their roster. This would have required replacing Kunze as the vocalist, an idea the group firmly rejected. As a result, the album was never released. In 1987, Kammann, Grah, and Kunze launched another project called Cold End, which released another brilliant and highly sought-after 12" single, Metropolitan Jungle, originally issued on Tam Tam and recently re-released. The first-ever reissue of Mit den Puppen tanzen is limited to only 400 copies. The cover art remains true to the original 12" release, designed by the aforementioned Uwe Bauer (aka Bimbo Art). This reissue is a must-have for DJs and collectors alike.
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7"
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EDGE 028EP
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The Outer Edge are extremely proud to present the official vinyl release of Subways Of Your Mind by FEX, a track that captivated music enthusiasts worldwide as the "Most Mysterious Song on the Internet," or short TMS. After years of speculation, the song's origins have been confirmed, and now, for the first time ever, it will be available on a 7" single. The release features the original demo version of the song recorded in 1983, faithfully restored and remastered. The single is backed with "Heart In Danger," an equally stunning track from the band, also taken from their original demo cassette. Ture Rückwardt, songwriter and singer of FEX, even considers this as his most favorite. Don't miss this chance to own a piece of music history!
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LP
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EDGE 026LP
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The Outer Edge presents a true gem on the label: the first-ever vinyl reissue of the highly collectible Shake It - Make It Loose LP by J.D. (Puma) Lewis. Originally released on the infamous Metrovynil label in 1984, it stands as the best and most authentic boogie/'80s funk album ever produced in Germany. However, little is known about this legendary release, and the credits are sparse and often confusing. In reality, Shake It - Make It Loose was a collaboration between just two musicians: John Davis and Reginald Hudson. Both were first-class, highly talented musicians and composers from the U.S., who spent most of their lives living and working in Southern Germany. The combination of their musicianship and the cutting-edge technology at the studio resulted in a masterpiece of pure, state-of-the-art funk and boogie. The album features all the hallmarks of great '80s music: fresh synths, drum machines, and powerful lead vocals from John Davis. As said, these sessions took place at Hartmann Digital, a state-of-the-art studio in Untertrubach, Bavaria, where iconic artists like Nena, Yello, Visage, DAF, and Soft Cell recorded. The use of such an expensive studio would have been out of reach for the two musicians without Puma's backing, which also explains why there is a title like "Dancing Shoes." In the end, the album was signed to the Deggendorf-based Metrovynil label. The original pressing looked and sounded fantastic, featuring a stylish cover shot of John Davis in a sharp suit. Now, with this first-ever vinyl reissue, The Outer Edge is thrilled to include additional photos and more background information in a deluxe gatefold sleeve. This reissue includes all six tracks from the original Hartmann Digital sessions, plus two bonus tracks. From the original reel tapes, the label unearthed additional material that Hudson and Davis produced together in the early to mid-'80s. Shake It - Make It Loose is a classic boogie-funk album that belongs in every serious funk and disco collection. It showcases the undeniable talent of two true musicians and stands as a testament to the friendship between Reg Hudson and John Davis.
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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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12"
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TAC 020EP
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However, let's take a moment to imagine what might have happened had the recording been released as a vinyl 12" back in 1983. Could it have been a game changer? No one will never know for sure. Nevertheless, one thing is certain: with its punchy Roland 808 rhythms, and catchy synth lines and vocoder, it undoubtedly qualifies as a classic German electro track, and one of the earliest techno/proto-techno recordings. At almost eight minutes in length, this track includes one of the most exhilarating breaks in electro music of that era, showcasing extensive drum editing and effects. It strongly resembles the sound that Detroit would become famous for in the years to come, but make no mistake -- this record was produced straight out of Bremen, a relatively small city in Northern Germany. For the flip side of the single, The Outer Edge enlisted Alexander Arpeggio, the owner of Mond Musik und Eine Welt label, to edit the track while preserving its original spirit. As a member of the acid techno project Aufgang B and the synth-pop minimal duo OTTO, he not only has a deep understanding for this kind of music but also possesses the ability to give the song a different feel with greater dancefloor appeal. He has slightly reduced the tempo of the track and emphasized the instrumental and break parts, resulting in an exciting remix that is DJ-friendly and has everything you could ask for. The 12" release comes with the original Art Programming logo in a vintage style, packaged in a generic black sleeve with hype sticker. This is a serious gem that you won't want to miss out on. Edition of 200.
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12"
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TAC 018EP
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The Outer Edge release two exciting electro tracks by Art P, as well as the classic minimal synthwave tune "Der böse Osten" by related band project Die Synthetische Republik on this limited split 12". The single kicks off with "Genscher Pull 'N' Push", an incredible and previously unreleased electro/wave/proto-techno tune from the P.A.P. archives, recorded in October 1982 with a political background. The song was only available on a demo cassette for a radio show and had been forgotten since then. Genscher was a long-time Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice Chancellor of Germany, who played a key role in a coalition change in September/October 1982, leading his party, the FDP, to leave the Helmut Schmidt cabinet with the SPD and continue with the opposition, the CDU/CSU. Unfortunately, this track was never released, as the topic of the coalition change quickly became uninteresting and outdated. If it had been issued on vinyl in late 1982, it would probably be considered one of the first proto-techno tracks ever. With its driving and heavily-punching 808 rhythms, and the bending synth bass leads played on the Jupiter 4 synthesizer, it gives you a groove that owes as much to Kraftwerk's Computerwelt as it may rhythmically pre-date the sound of Detroit's Juan Atkins. Next up on the Art P side is a remix of "Polaroid", originally found on the No Message LP. The track was recorded in 1985, and at that time, the duo of Frank Grotelüschen and Jens-Markus Wegener had become bored with the sound of the Roland 808 drum machine, so they made the track with a DrumTraks by Sequential Circuits. However, for this remix, DJ Scientist, the curator of this 12", wanted to recreate the typical electrofunk sound of the era and added 808 bass drums and claps. Die Synthetische Republik was a project by Wegener of Art P and Olav Neander. The track "Der böse Osten" can originally be found on the cassette album Faktor D, recorded in just two weeks on a Tascam Portastudio 245. The original recording sessions were pure fun but also rushed. Hence, none of the tracks was perfectly mixed. Remastered to achieve the best possible result. A serious synth wave gem on 12" for the first time as an exclusive extended mix.
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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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7"
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TAC 013EP
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The official reworks of Hans Hass's proto-AOR/cloud rock hymn "Welche Farbe hat der Wind" ("What color is the wind"). The main producer for this release was Marian Tone (of Key Elements), who reworked the track almost from scratch. He re-recorded the drums, the bassline, and some chords while keeping Hass's original vocal layer. The distinctive guitar playing by co-composer Gabor Kristof sparkles throughout. The result is exactly what we had hoped and asked for: a DJ-friendly version of this überclassic track. The idea for this rework project came to mind when label owner DJ Scientist got word from Tobias Kirmayer of Tramp Records that "Welche Farbe hat der Wind" would be officially re-released for the first time on his compilation series Praise Poems as well as on a single reissue. Scientist immediately asked if he could make an edit with louder drums to make the track more playable in a DJ set. However, as the masters of the Tramp reissues had already been submitted to the pressing plant, he was granted permission to re-license the track and rework it for his own label instead. Hence, the reworks feature Scientist's "vintage drums" mix, which has the drums mixed louder, plus drums added at the quite psychedelic and experimental last third, with a few other sound adjustments made. But it was up to Berlin-based DJ and music producer Marian Tone to put the icing on the cake and rework and enhance the song further with his own version. With fellow Key Elements bandmember Steffen Kieslich, he completely re-recorded the drums. Then it was up to Doron Segal to replay the bass and the keys. What we get is the classic sound of "Welche Farbe hat der Wind" -- just updated and fresher. For the first time ever, the track is also available as an instrumental version.
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LP
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TAC 011LP
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Reissue, originally released in 1985. The Outer Edge present the first ever vinyl release of No Message by Art P, a still lesser known and lost masterpiece from the P.A.P. archives. Art P (initially Art Programming) was an electronic music duo consisting of Jens-Markus Wegener and Frank Grotelüschen. On No Message, originally released in 1985, you hear the band's most profound work, a detailed and unique mixture in between of electro and the synth-laden edge of new wave. The Outer Edge initially discovered Art P on the tape compilation Berlincassette 2-85. Their contribution, the title track from their second and last album No Message, blew the label away: punchy drum machines, heavy synths and cool female vocals delivering a serious, yet slightly ironic view on the meaninglessness in pop music having "no message". A couple of months later, when the label finally was lucky to get hold of an original full-length tape, they couldn't ask for more: powerful apocalyptic synth wave on "A Place To Fear", thrilling vocoder electro funk on "Polaroid", up-tempo new wave synth pop on "Sounds of the City", dreamy and melodic electro on "Without Jackets", and other well produced tracks. It was an absolute necessity for the label to get in touch with Art P and ask for permission to re-release their music on vinyl. No Message was remastered from the absolute best original tape source and sounds incredibly well. As a side note it should be mentioned that Wegener later became a key figure in the German music market. He was the founder of companies such as Public Propaganda, Europe's largest and most successful promotion agency in the mid '90s, the publishing company AMV, the distributor PP Sales Forces, among others. As a freelance promoter for SPV and the PIAS label he was also responsible for establishing the term "Electronic Body Music" as a musical genre. Grotelüschen was active as a music journalist (e.g. for Spex Magazine) and later became an important and well-known journalist for science. Fully licensed. Includes insert; blue vinyl; edition of 300.
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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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