Surf farm.

Soundtrack to one of the first big surf films ever. The music is not your typical beachy sunshine pop though. A bit more introspective and deep than most beach blanket Jan & Dean affairs. This would still sound very contemporary if it was used tomorrow. All the way through quite a good journey. Fun fact about this one too it has Daryl Dragon who is Captain of Captain and Tenille fame. There are also many Beach Boys connections down the line but it's too geeky and I don't feel like turning this into a Mojo piece o.k.?http://www.mediafire.com/?fm90664esonlb

I wish I could speak your language.

More brilliant and some what obscure post punk from Belgium. The Names 1982 album "Swimming" is very much akin to the early works of Section 25, Joy Division, and the other Factory bands of the era. The Names themselves released a single on Factory records in 1980 which consisted of the songs "Night shift" b/w "I wish I could speak your language". The songwriting ability displayed on "Swimming" is above the generic brand of post punk records out there. The Names illustrate the delicate balance of beautiful melodies amid an ashen surface of decay. This download also includes the bands singles so your getting every essential piece of the puzzle here.http://www.mediafire.com/?7dqfm0355y2xd

Bummer Cinema.

The late 90's and early 00's was sort of the last great period of underground hip hop. What is being produces currently requires too much alcohol and flat lining of the brain to even listen to. One such album from the aforementioned period that was on heavy rotation was Cage's album from 2002 "Movies for the Blind". While cage may look more akin to being involved in a band like Radio 4, his lyrical gab is sharp and full of the psychological turmoil of... well, someone seriously fucked. He was apparently in a mental institution for sometime after a collapse in which he decided to stay longer so that he was able to fuel the lyrically content that makes up this album. Pretty bold move but this album does feel like a deeply personal confession of stark thoughts that would rule a sick mind. The samples and music within are perfect in providing a stark and horrid landscape to Cage's psychotic diary of words. Extra points as well for the "They Live" reference of the cover art. http://www.mediafire.com/?gas2cnbcw9qe6

S is for sleep.

Peter "Sleeze" Christopherson departed the world last night peacefully in his sleep. Christopherson played in the band Throbbing Gristle and the ever evolving Coil. He always continued to push boundaries of music and the overall spectrum of sound to heights that seemed reserved for the angels and demons of nether worlds alike. This is in memory to the constant vibrational channel that he evoked. Here is also a collection of Coil material from very early cassette releases that still puzzles me to this day. Go Destroy Angels Sleeze.
http://www.mediafire.com/?gz71ljf4c223d

Dirty Theme.

It's hard to imagine modern dance music without the existence of Klein & M.B.O. The Italian and American duo produced minimal italo proto-house music that pretty much influenced every major Chicago House Dj. These dj's would proclaim their life changed after hearing tracks like "Dirty Talk" and "The M.B.O. Theme" on the now famous WMBX radio show. I know I'm not breaking any major ground by posting this here but if you don't have this on your computer or just simply need the reminder to put this on then either way do it. Still sounds fresh in 2010.
http://www.mediafire.com/?7caatpm8dm1oa

Two becomes three.

Erkin Koray is said to be Turkey's first musician to incorporate an electric guitar with traditional Turkish music and embraced Western Culture by covering Elvis early in his career. Erkin Koray had already released two albums before he had released "2" in 1976 which leaves us with the question why this is called "2"? I don't really care after listening to it as my jaw is on the fucking ground every time I finish listening to it. Needless to say I am in no position to start prodding for details on the title. While this marks a clear departure from his more fuzz and psych oriented affairs, it does not disappoint due to Koray's amazing ability to arrange the songs with true quality that is limited to the greatest of greats. The percussion arrangements alone on this record are good enough all by themselves but add Koray on the guitar and you have yourself masterpiece. Enjoy one of Turky's greatest artists of all time.http://www.mediafire.com/?f9w94a9hb0en0

Love on a plate.

Here is an album that never really caught the fire it deserved at the time but has started to gather more interest due the bands overall popularity. Glass Candy's 2003 debut album "Love,Love,Love" is a monstrous dark death disco stomper. The thing I love about this record is how quick it is. It always leaves me wanting to hear more. The band have of course gone on to become superstars in the new disco house genre but have never really lost touch of themselves or the good taste that so few are able to possess. Give in to Love,Love,Love.
http://www.mediafire.com/?seqxvxiqdablr

Blue Collar Ball Buster.

Wanted to do a double post today since I missed Friday and I will be getting weird in the mountains for a few days so I am leaving the computer at home and turning off the yapper to get in full Walt Whitman mode. Before I leave though I would like to leave everyone with this little dirty rocker from Ohio. The Left End perfectly illustrate the kind of working class rollicking that was going on in the Ohio/Pennsylvania area at the time. Just like you hear from a lot of the English bands talking about how they didn't want to go to work in the factories, the same can be said for these regional bands as well. The Left End would have modest success in the area but somehow managed to be fairly unknown outside of their main stomping grounds. This is a great down and out glam-punk affair that takes the more straight forward rock styling of Alice Cooper, The Dolls, and Kiss but strips it of the champagne fantasy and replaces it with an oiled stained shitty beer strut. The amazing "Spoiled Rotten" was released in 1974 and undoubtedly inspired some of the more notorious "Glam" bands of the 80's. Saturday nights alright for Spoiled Rotten.
http://www.mediafire.com/?338w7g23ut63c

Moderne.

Here's a better than average synth pop album from French band Moderne. Being produced by Joshcko Rudas who happened to be a member of Kraftwerk helps this album to sound ahead of the pack in terms of other synth pop records being done in the very synth heavy year of 1980.
http://www.mediafire.com/?kjhq7kgwaqinv

Disco Computer.

"Hello everybody. Would you like to try me?"
http://www.mediafire.com/?a8kva9oca2p0v

Bunalim.

Most people are now hip to at least a few Turkish artist's like say Erkin Koray or the amazing Selda. One artist that still remains a more underground and ultra cult status amongst collectors is Bunalim. Bunalim which means depression or frustration in Turkish, managed to put out only five singles in their existence and are now at the top of many collectors lists as some of the rarest and most coveted out there. Although the band is somewhat cult within Turkey they are recognized as legends. The band was known for their antics which included running around naked, screaming "L.S.D." at their shows, and painting pictures on club walls whenever they felt like it. Being managed by the extremely important Turkish songwriter Cem Karaca only helped to cement the bands importance to the Anatolian rock movements history. This collection takes the bands activities from 1970 to 1972 and complies it.
http://www.mediafire.com/?plckrch2edx0d

Into the garden.

Artery is a Sheffield post punk band that mainly operated from 1979 to roughly about 1985. They are one of the greatest bands I got turned on to while working in a record store for three years in the mid 00's. "Afterwards" compiles the bands singles and a great deal of songs culled from the stellar album "Oceans". Dark, brooding, and driving are all things Artery seems to achieve effortlessly with in every single song on offer here. Do yourself a favor and give "Unknown Pleasures" a rest and listen to this more often. John Peel used to play "Into the Garden" constantly on his show and sometimes the song would make multiple appearances within a single day. If that is not petrol in tank... you need to start walking.
http://www.mediafire.com/?oajo3gjda6kg7

Don't you know who did it?

If I had to pick one singular artist that has made me want to write a blog (this one), it would definitely be John Forde. I first heard John Forde's "Atlantis" on the stellar D-I-R-T-Y Space Disco comp and was instantly floored by it. A sort of slow moving psychedelic codeine disco. From then on I was frantically searching for the rare and somewhat pricey records. Little info can be given about John Forde as well. I have searched every possible source to dig up even a sliver of information but it is not be. Maybe that is half the beauty of an artist like John Forde. To write your legend to the sounds that you hear. The little info that I do know is that "Stardance" was a big Baldelli staple and has since gone on to spotted by various dj's and most recently The XX used it in a mix they did for Fact Magazine. "Woman" is definitely the most straight forward disco sounding tune of the lot with a galloping tempo and those utterly amazing falsetto vocals. The two winners for me though are definitely "Atlantis" and "Don't You Know Who Did It". Both capture an otherworldly kaleidoscope of beauty and strangeness. I managed to find ever song he ever did minus the instrumental "Flight of The Jumping Bean" which in my humble opinion is somewhat of a throw away as it sounds nothing like anything else in John Fordes very tiny catalog. So here's your chance to take a look inside the enigma that is John Forde. Now you know who did it.
http://www.mediafire.com/?1t1hn2vjj7d5c

Pacific.

We love our moody French synth records here at Radiant Darkness and this one is something special. I recently acquired this record after about two years of computer screen drooling and various Ebay hunts. Just a beautiful album that sounds like a daydream in motion. Mercier created several solo synth records throughout the late 70's and into the 80's including a Patchwork Library lp, but "Pacific" is the perfect harmony of swirling dreamy synth work and slow drum pulses that stays clear of the boredom zone. Lets board the Pacific Express.
http://www.mediafire.com/?ptq32fkga6u5d

Mutant glow.

Yet another Italian gem from duo Victrola. Victrola only released this 12" single before disappearing. This file includes the comp track "Into His Gloves" and the unreleased and really good "Mutant Glow". Essential Italian wave from the golden age of spaghetti dance.
http://www.mediafire.com/?5zuco88r9d9lz

Dead Moon Night!

Dead Moon are everything rock n roll should be but isn't. Dangerous, working class, and dedicated. While many would argue that the Stones are probably the longest running and some what most notorious band on the planet, Dead Moon is far more respectable as they don't travel around with a bus full of people to handle their drugs and day to day bullshit. Just three of the most rock n roll motherfuckers riding around in a shitty van playing affordable shows to people who bleed for it. Front man Fred Cole is no stranger to cult status either. Having served time in bands such as the Lollipp Shoppe, Zipper, and the Weeds to name a few, he started Dead Moon in the tough for real rock n roll year of 1987 with his wife Toody Cole on bass and drummer Andrew Loomis. Melding the perfect balance of punk, garage, and raw romping rock is something that Dead Moon delivers with every release when most bands sell their souls to have some shitty song on a car insurance commercial. On offer is the classic "Dead Moon Night" and "13 Off My Hook". If you at all enjoy this I recommend you watch the documentary about the band "Unknown Passage". Long live Dead Moon.
http://www.mediafire.com/?g6mjz6tjz1678

The moon is ripe, like fruit tonight.

Curtis Mayfield is without a doubt one the greatest soul singers ever. It's easy to forget that Mayfield was also such an amazing guitar player who wrote and arranged nearly all of his own material which is more than we can say about most chest beating, gold chain wearing, r & b suckers today. 1980 saw the release of Mayfield's "Something to Believe In" and by this point in Mayfield's career you should be believing. Album opener "Love me, Love me now" is a late night burner that fully opens up the groove around the 5 minute mark. The other major highlight here is the Bunny Sigler penned and Camp Lo sampled "Trippin Out". The perfect slow-mo low slung groove. An absolutely essential album by one of the definitive soul artists of all time.
http://www.mediafire.com/?xmwv4mono4k3f

Afro-Cuban Funk.

A little bit of a lag but back again with yet another comp. Diggin The Crates For Afro-Cuban Funk is a real nice treat and something that I am not afraid to admit I know hardly anything about. This comp was compiled by a few European collectors who offer up very little info about the tracks themselves. Almost wonder if the info is lost or gone due to obvious political problems the country suffered throughout the 70's and into the 80's. A very enjoyable listen all the way through. Serve with croquetas and papas rellenas.
http://www.mediafire.com/?44o0muz7kp7vr

My Solid German Record Collection.

Yet another point for Deutschland. My Solid Ground's lone album from 71 has a little bit of everything in it. The opening track is a very Floyd driven slow astral chugger but as soon as it comes to a close the meat is flung well out on "Flash Part IV". From here on out the album shifts gears flawlessly between kraut driven hard psych and moody droning dream screams. A perfect album for Fall. This is the Second Battle cd edition that had some bonus material on it as well. I would say this easily makes it into my top ten German kraut/psych records.
http://www.mediafire.com/?uspzhj5x1jsz3

Most wanted.

N.W.A. wrote the script for 90's street knowledge but when the deal started to smell foul, Ice Cube was the first one to jump ship. He quickly followed with his solo album Amerikkka's Most Wanted which was released in May of 1990. Produced by Public Enemy's team the Bomb Squad, this album quickly became an instant classic and a continuation on the template that Cube had already been a part of in N.W.A. While Dre gets all the attention, this is an amazing piece of work from start to finish and I haven't been able to say that about a hip hop album in a long time (Lil Wayne included). I also have very fond memories of being into gangster rap in the 90's and there was nothing more fear inducing to parents than middle class kids identify or at least listening to the true under-belly of America's racial tensions. Pretty fucking punk rock at a time when most punk rock had it's head up it's own ass.
http://www.mediafire.com/?nkss6sepgo6ay
Oh and if you happen to live in San Diego I will be djing a set late tonight after Tropical Depression and Polar Void play live at the Whistle Stop. It's free too. You can get more info at whistlestopbar.com.

Booniay!

So your either looking at the picture above scratching your head or you are real stoked right now. African music is all the reissue rage right now, and for a damn good reason. Rhythmically, there is just nothing like it. One listen to this comp and you should be hooked. Not a dud in sight on this thing either.
http://www.mediafire.com/?4d9lqv0tnd4f6

Russian Cosmonauts.

This is a pretty great cosmic treat from our Russian pals Zodiac. Man, just look at that cover! Disco Alliance was released in 1980 and seems almost late in the cosmic race but our Russian space cadets do not disappoint us. This seems to be fairly coveted for the track "Pacific" but the rest is enjoyable too. Join the Alliance!
http://www.mediafire.com/?70xmp091w6wtn

Slow Death.

Hendrix was a guitarist possessed by a force that made him closer to a cosmic energy than any actual living person on Earth. A force that was too strong to be held captive in his Earthly body. I would imagine that Chico (or rather Mahmoud Ayari) was cut from the same chaotic cosmic fabric that caused Hendrix to burn with such quick but nevertheless prophetic glory. Having been formed in Lyon in 69 as Chico and the Slow Death, the band by 1970 would be known as the Chico Magnetic Band. Their debt lp was released in 1973 and is a full blown supernova of blistering fret fire. What Chico does that Hendrix doesn't is take these songs and drag them through further regions of space where we can only hope that Hendrix would have explored if his ship would not have crashed. The album is further aided by the stellar production of J.P. Massiera who is no stranger to the further darker galaxies of space. Absolutely in a time and dimension of it's own. Explore!
http://www.mediafire.com/?fd5fqow9hcinj