Mick Karn

10 years in the making, Fjieri's debut album Endless represents the satisfying conclusion to a meticulously executed labour of love.The band, led by Stefano Panunzi and Nicola Lori, are joined by an impressive cast of guest musicians, including Mick Karn, Tim Bowness, Andrea Chimenti, Peter Chilvers, Nicola Alesini and Porcupine Tree members, Gavin Harrison and Richard Barbieri.Co-produced by Barbieri, the album artfully combines Ambient and Progressive Rock influences to create a sophisticated sound that incorporates delicate atmospherics, rich melodies, looping rhythms and hard-hitting riffs.Recalling aspects of Rain Tree Crow, Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, Eno, King Crimson and No-Man, Endless is a powerful debut statement from an Italian band in the ascendant.

Japan (David Sylvian) - Gentlemen Take Polaroids (1980) {2006 Virgin Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 356 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 141 Mb
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© 2003, 2006 Virgin Records | 0946 3 63057 2 1
Rock / New Wave / New Romantic / Alternative

The last album with Rob Dean, Gentlemen Take Polaroids was also unquestionably the album in which Japan truly found its own unique voice and aesthetic approach. The glam influences still hung heavy, particularly from Roxy Music, but now the band found itself starting to affect others in turn. Even the back cover photo says as much – looking cool in glossy, elegant nightwear, the quintet had a clear impact on Duran Duran, to the point where Nick Rhodes obviously was trying to be Sylvian in appearance.

Midge Ure - The Works [2CD] (2013) {Demon Music}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (image)+CUE+LOG -> 1.06 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 365 Mb
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© 2013 Demon Music / Music Club Deluxe | MCDLX184
Rock / Synthpop / New Wave

Midge Ure fronted Ultravox in the new Romantic Eighties –but his career, whether guesting for Thin Lizzy and Visage, getting Band Aid up and running with Bob Geldof or a string of superb solo albums, amounts to much more. This in-depth look at those solo releases runs from Eighties chart-topper ‘If I Was’ through Nineties big-seller ‘Breathe’ and beyond, offering Scots rock with a twist.

Japan (David Sylvian) - Tin Drum (1981) {2006 Virgin Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 234 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 92 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 162 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2003, 2006 Virgin Records | 0946 3 63061 2 4
Rock / New Wave / New Romantic / Alternative

Partially growing out of their success in the country they were named after, as well as growing friendship and affiliation with such bands as Yellow Magic Orchestra, Japan, on Tin Drum, made its most unique, challenging, and striking album. It was also the final full studio effort from the group, and what a way to bow out – there was practically no resemblance to the trash glam flailers on Adolescent Sex anymore. Rather than repeat the sheer restraint on Gentlemen Take Polaroids, Tin Drum is an album of energy, Sylvian's singing still the decadently joyful thing it is, but the arrangements and performances tight, full, and active.

Japan (David Sylvian) - Oil On Canvas (1983) {2006 Virgin Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 454 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 172 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 138 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2003, 2006 Virgin Records | 0946 3 63053 2 5
Rock / New Wave / New Romantic / Alternative

The final Japan release was sold and marketed as a live album, though actually it's a bit of a catchall – it is indeed mostly from concerts, but also includes a variety of studio instrumentals and a re-recorded version of "Nightporter" mixed in to sound like it's part of the show. The various re-releases of the albums over the years confused matters further, with re-sequencings, the excision of cuts, and more adding to general confusion about the release (not to mention the fact that some reissues completely omitted where the shows were recorded anyway!).