Hello there and thanks for stopping by my site! I guess you were looking for me, Christopher Cline, if not try this site out instead.
For those of you searching for a bit more insight, well here's a bit more about me. I've been in the process of making records for the past 16 or so years, some good, some bad (but mostly good I hope). I have engineered, mixed, and/or mastered a number of albums from varying genres of music.
Taken from the LP ‘From the Hip’ and remixed by Bernard Sumner (BeMusic) and Donald Johnson, (Dojo) this electro classic will make you move. Does anybody know how the jacket design to the LP is related to other Factory jackets? It’s your move.
What is BeMusic? It’s New Order’s production pseudonym, but this release was produced solely by Peter Hook. Just listen to the bass guitar production and further convincing is not warranted. Most commonly labeled as post-punk, the Stockholm Monsters are another Factory great that have flown under the radar of pop history. Look for reissues from LTM Records and Captured Tracks.
There’s something so sublime about Vini Reilly’s guitar playing, and the plaintive lyrics add immeasurable depth to this single. Vini is one of the most underrated guitarists of all time and should be hailed by many as an innovator, but he is largely unheard of regrettably. Digging deeper, Martin Gore of Depeche Mode recorded a Durutti Column song for his first solo album. Records are the best, don’t forget that.
Mixed by Bernard Sumner and Donald Johnson, Abcedarians hailed from sunny Los Angeles, far different from the label’s hometown. I may be mistaken, but I do believe the only other American band that landed in this famed discography is ESG, but that’s for another day. I’ve always struggled with American synth pop and its affectations, and this single is no different. While the mix is well balanced, its mid-tempo pace at 108 BPMs doesn’t necessarily drive one to dance as much as dissect. The b-side, Benway’s Carnival, is way more interesting. Driving, delayed arpeggios and a drum corps style beat make this single far more interesting and the go to track for repeated listening. Now does anybody have any info on the jacket?
Abcedarians - Smiling Monarchs
This is a perfect song, a perfect New Order song. If you’re a gear head, the band and co-writer Stephen Hague had the help of a Yamaha QX1 stand-alone sequencer, DX 5 FM synth, Akai S900 sampler, Octave Voyetra 8 synth and Emulator samplers on this production. Originally released in January of 1988, this is the only CD video single I have ever owned. True Faith is a timeless production, and I know many would debate that, so let’s take it to the floor. What are your thoughts?
And the b-side is home to another remix from Paul Oakenfold. This post is even more relevant as Vince Clarke just celebrated his 60th birthday yesterday. Speaking of celebrations, we should celebrate this legendary band of hooligans for still being alive, right? This release is 31 years old, and Vince Clarke remixed this song when he 29 or 30. Now ponder this bit. Vince had already formed Depeche Mode, Yazoo and Erasure at this point in his life, and is still going strong, just like the Happy Mondays . Now go and grab your maracas and give me your best Bez.
Happy Mondays - Wrote For Luck, Vince Clarke Remix
This one is a challenge. This is not their best work, but it has such a peculiar groove to it. At times it’s part Zapp and Roger, then it collapses into vocal abstractions and moves into Latin territory, sometimes teetering into Afro beat (listen to the guitar work). It was hard to come by these records in the 80s and early 90s Central Texas, but they eventually found their way to my turntable. Do you have parachute pants?
A Certain Ratio - I’d Like To See You Again
Extended for your pleasure. Unlike the original release featured in John Hughes film ‘Pretty In Pink’ roughly a month prior to its official Factory Records release, the single release is almost ten minutes long. The American release is the edit from the film and was released by A&M Records, not Quincy Jones’ Qwest imprint. Also included is designer Peter Saville’s extended artwork that you see here in the photo. The inner sleeve continues photographer Geoff Power’s image and Factory’s catalog number. Produced by John Robie and New Order, this is electro at its best. B side features an edit titled ‘Shellcock’; what else should it be titled? Answer that one for me, folks. More to come.
Let us begin Factory Records in July. I’ve chosen this comprehensive vinyl box set as it adequately illustrates the importance that is this seminal Mancunian label. From its now mythical beginnings with Joy Division until it’s final release with the Happy Mondays, this label did everything right and wrong in parallel. 30 more from Factory headed your way this month.
FACTORY Communications 1978-92 Vinyl Box Set