The Hidden Tapes is the latest handsome offering from New York’s Minimal Wave label.
Subtitled A Compilation of Minimal Wave from Around the World ’79-85, it features rare tracks – many previously unreleased – from as far as Japan and the former Yugoslavia, all essaying the kind of lo-fi synth-pop and chilly electro that’s synonymous with Veronica Vasicka’s MW imprint.
“Most of the bands on this compilation recorded on 4-track tape in their bedroom studios,” Vasicka explains, “while two of them went further to collaborate by sending tapes through the mail. The sounds on this record range from raw proto-industrial to naive danceable Belgradian new wave, to filmic synthesizer music to more complex, vocal-driven melodic synthpop.
Artists featured include Danton’s Voice, Oskarova Fobija, The Fast Set, Sympathy Nervous, Pas De Deux, Unovidual & Tara Cross and Reservé, all lovingly remastered for this vinyl edition, which is limited edition of 999 numbered copies, pressed on 180 gram vinyl, and housed in heavy printed jacket accompanied by printed inner jacket with photos and info.
The compilation is out now; more information and sound-clips here.
