Marine Girls - On My Mind / Don't Come Back

Tracey Thorn started her impressive musical career as part of the Marine Girls. They were from Hatfield, formed 1980 by the school friends Tracey Thorn and Gina Hartman, joined by the sisters Jane and Alice Fox (later Everything But The Girl recorded the song "Hatfield 1980" on their album "Temperamental" in 1999 about those days). Here are both singles:

Marine Girls - On My Mind

(1981 . In Phaze COD 2 / 1982 . Cherry Red CHERRY 40)

Marine Girls - Don't Come Back

(1983 . Cherry Red CHERRY 54)

Tracey Thorn - Plain Sailing

In 1982 Tracey Thorn released her first soloalbum (the second follows last year) "A Distant Shore" which spawned the single "Plain Sailing".

Tracey Thorn - Plain Sailing

(1982 . Cherry Red CHERRY 53)

Everything But The Girl - Night And Day / Frost And Fire

The same year Everything But The Girl were born, when Tracey started working with Ben Watt. Their first release was a wonderful cover of "Night And Day". I also post the bittersweet "Frost And Fire", which is on EbtGs first brilliant album "Eden".

Everything But The Girl - Night And Day

(1982 . Cherry Red CHERRY 37)

Everything But The Girl - Frost And Fire

(1984 . album track on "Eden")

Young Marble Giants - Final Day

The second Marine Girls album "Lazy Ways" was produced by Stuart Moxham, better known as part of the Young Marble Giants. Their only album "Colossal Youth" ist still one of the finest moments of minimal alternative music. I'm posting their first single "Final Days".

Young Marble Giants - Final Days

(1980 . Rough Trade RT 043)

Weekend - Drumbeat For Baby

Alison Statton was the singer of the Young Marble Giants. After they split in 1981 she started along with Simon Booth (who also played guitar on the first EbtG album) the new band Weekend, releasing one album "La Varieté" in 1982, which goes deep into lite jazz. Here is the first single "Drumbeat For Baby".

Weekend - Drumbeat For Baby

(1982 . Rough Trade RT 116)

Working Week - Venceremos (We Will Win)

After the split of Weekend, Simon Booth founded Working Week, who were at the forefront of the new jazz movement in U.K. in the mid 80s. Their first brilliant single "Venceremos" features Tracey Thorn on vocals.

Working Week - Venceremos (We Will Win)

(1984 . Virgin VS 684)

Go-Betweens feat Tracey Thorn - Head Full Of Steam

At the end of the short Tracey Thorn special here is another collaboration. In 1986 the Go-Betweens released the single "Head Full Of Steam" which features Tracey on vocals.

Go-Betweens - Head Full Of Steam

(1986 . Beggars Banquet BEG 159)

Chills - Pink Frost

One of the greatest 80s tunes! 

Chills - Pink Frost

(1984 . Flying Nun FNCOLD 002)

Lovecut db - Fingertips

Short-lived sideproject to Saint Etienne's Sarah Cracknell teaming up with Douglas Benford. The first single "Fingertips" is still a great underground dancetrack. Enjoy the beloved Sarah Cracknell! 

Lovecut db - Fingertips

(1991 . Suburbs Of Hell SOH 007)

I-F - Space Invaders Are Smoking Grass

Great 90s dance track going deep into 80s new wave (from the hague)

I-F - Space Invaders Are Smoking Grass

(1997 . Viewlexx V 002)

Butterflies Of Love - Rob A Bank

The Butterflies Of Love are a band from New Haven CT. "Rob A Bank" is their outstanding first single. "'Rob a Bank' is just about happening, being as it is one of the most listless, indolent records that you will hear in your dismal little lives" (NME). You make me feel like I could rob a bank...

Butterflies Of Love - Rob A Bank 

(1999 . Fortuna Pop FPOP 6)

Pale Saints - Sight Of You

Another 4AD masterpiece. The EP "Barging Into The Presence Of God" was the first release of the brilliant Pale Saints just at the end of the decade. "Sight Of You" is in a way a typical 4AD-single. Still love the floating sound.

Pale Saints - Sight Of You 

[Barging Into The Presence Of God EP] 

(1989 . 4AD BAD 910)

A.R. Kane - Lollita

The second single of the experimental London band - and their only release on 4AD (if you do not count "Pump Up The Volume"). I guess "Lollita" is still one of their best songs - however, it is one of the best independent singles in the second half of the 80s. 

A.R. Kane - Lollita (1987 . 4AD BAD 704) 

Lost (In) Music 1: James Varda

In 1988 James Varda released his great Debutalbum "The Hunger". For nearly 20 years it was only available in vinyl -just recently it came out on cd for the first time. "In My House" is still a brilliant song - so enjoy it.

James Varda - In My House (1988)