When the Past Felt Like the Future - An Alternate Take on the Early Eighties

While the act of summing up music by decade has its merits, as a means of analysis the practice is a little arbitrary. The progression of music doesn’t neatly split into chapters with each new decade, it evolves in increments. The idea of a ‘80s Mix’ only makes sense until you realize that 1982 sounds almost nothing like 1988. Closer analysis of the decade finds a decidedly different sound during the first half the decade, with the quality of output starting to dwindle midway. Pop charts became a less reliable source for music, leaving the decade to be saved by the advent of rap and the refinement of electronic music. Ignoring the temptation to let nostalgia be my guide, this mix takes a look at lesser known music from the era and finds me selecting the content that sounds most fitting to discerning modern ears.

Track List

Radio Commercial - Talking Heads Remain in Light Album

Grace Jones - Art Groupie

Yazoo - Ode to Boy

Jeanette - Sunny Side

The System - Find It In Your Eyes

JYL - Electric Lady

Fab Five Freddy - Une Sale Histoire (Female Version)

Shara Nelson & the Circuit - Aiming At Your Heart Part 2

Escape From New York - Save Our Love

Material - Ciquri

TV Commercial - 1981 Delorean

TV Commercial - Maxell Cassette

TV Commercial - CBS Premiere Week

The Tanzdiele - MusikMusikMusik

Home Service - O.M.F.I.L.

Nine Circles - Miss Love (First Version)

Gino Soccio - Street Talk

Willesden Dodgers - 122 BPM

Cabaret Voltaire - Black Mask

The Au Pairs - Headache For Michelle (Version)

Liquid Liquid - Lock Groove (In)

The Fall - Hip Preist

Van Halen - Push Comes to Shove

TV Broadcast - MTV Debut

Spectral Display - It Takes a Muscle to Fall in Love

Arthur Brown & Leon Craig - Take a Picture

Telex - Drama, Drama

Young Marble Giants - Radio Silents

Freur - Doot Doot

Creation Rebel & New Age Steppers - Threat To Creation

The Makers - Don’t Challenge Me

Blue Gas - Shadows From Nowhere

Peter Green - Little Dreamer

Lewis - Cool Night in Paris

N”Draman Blintch - She Africa (Ton Tour Viendra)

The Jam - Start!

Basement 5 - Riot

Broken Glass - Style of the Street (Unreleased Demo)

Roedelius - Goldregen