Have you ever wondered what the definition of underground music is? Look no further. The PLASTIC PEOPLE OF THE UNIVERSE /PPU/ were exactly that. While the western "underground" bands of the 60s and 70s might have looked a bit freaky, or were simply stoned enough to slightly shock the establishment, the PPU were jailed by the Czechoslovak communist regime solely because they dared to play their music for a bunch of long-haired fans. Nothing more, nothing less, but indirectly causing an immense political effect for the years to come. Due to all the hurdles, the PPU remained in the underground until 1988. Our collection brings together their best tracks from nearly two decades, presented in genuine fidelity underground quality.
Reading the promo sheet after three plays of On a Trip to L.A. gives you a sinking feeling. Since the album is a concept album, you first place yourself in the tradition of Pink Floyd, Yes, ELP and Genesis. A few lines later, mastermind Holggy Begg outed himself as part of the 1968 generation who “experienced the international cultural-political change themselves”. Therefore he wants to "preserve the feeling of the late 60s and early 70s". It is logical that in his masterpiece he sees a cocktail of the traditions of Pink Floyd, Procol Harum, Moody Blues, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Jefferson Airplane.
In 1976, Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards founded the legendary CHIC Organization Ltd. Together they wrote and produced many number one hits and very quickly became the biggest hit music factory since Motown. A few years after the dawn of Disco, Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards disbanded The Chic Organization Ltd., but they kept on playing & producing, with Nile Rodgers quickly becoming the biggest pop producer of the 80’s. In 1983, he produced David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” and in 1984, Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”. Many more artists also benefited from his incredible production skills and unique guitar style, including Mick Jagger, INXS, Duran Duran, Eric Clapton, Hall & Oates, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mariah Carey, Maroon 5, Michael Jackson, Grace Jones…to name but a few.
Among the benefits of picking up the new Tears for Fears album–the band's first since 1989–maybe the least obvious is looking cool in front of friends. Flick it on over cocktails, say, and brows will furrow: Few would think to match the heaving, synth-heavy boys who lit up the '80s with "Head Over Heels" to this new material. Which is mostly a good thing…