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Ultravox! – ‘ROckwrok’ West German 7″ single (Island, 11 655 AT, 1977)

Another tasty West German picture sleeve design that differed markedly from the UK issue – whether that was to John Foxx’s satisfaction is unlikely, given that the original UK issue was designed by him and showcases what are now classic John Foxx design traits in its cut-up and juxtaposed figures. But this sleeve keeps with some kind of low-tech xerox style if nothing else, in lurid red and black. The flimsy, glossy paper used for the sleeve means that tracking down mint copies is especially difficult.

Ultravox 'ROckwrok' West German 7 inch single front sleeve design
^ Ultravox ‘ROckwrok’ West German 7 inch single front sleeve design

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Section 25 – ‘The Beast’ UK 12″ EP (Factory FAC66, 1982)

A fine slice of prime Section 25, a band that in their original period on Factory were normally panned without pause as naught but Joy Division copyists, only to then be accused as New Order copyists as they drafted in the keyboards to fill their sound. This EP finds them somewhere between the two worlds, still guitar heavy but the sequenced synth patterns working their way in on ‘Sakura’.

Section 25 'The Beast' EP front cover
^ Section 25 ‘The Beast’ EP front cover

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Ultravox! – ‘Frozen Ones’ West German 7″ single (Island, 11 815 AT, 1977)

One to sate the sweet tooth of any fan of all things 7″ and collectable in the world of Ultravox, this was a West German only release that paired a fairly raucous LP cut, ‘Frozen Ones’, along with an exclusive remix of one of Ultravox’s finest moments on the flip side, in the shape of ‘Man Who Dies Everyday’ – and all finished off nicely in a unique picture sleeve design – manna from heaven for scratching that collector’s itch – if you can find a copy, as it’s not too easy to come by.

Ultravox! 'Frozen Ones' West German 7 inch single front sleeve design
^ Ultravox! \’Frozen Ones\’ West German 7 inch single front sleeve design

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Remake, remodel: Wire ‘Change Becomes Us’ and Karl Bartos ‘Off The Record’

Arriving within a short period of one another, two releases which both delve back into the history books in order to refashion roughs into polished new shapes. Wire have taken a selection of material that previously saw release only as live versions (on 1981’s ‘Document and Eyewitness’ live set and, later, the ‘Turns and Strokes’ compilation gathering together remaining waifs and strays of the period) – so, mostly familiar to long-time Wire fans. Bartos meanwhile has looked back to private musical sketches to bring something new to the world.

Wire 'Changes Becomes Us' limited edition and and Karl Bartos 'Off The Record' CDs
^ Wire ‘Changes Becomes Us’ limited edition and Karl Bartos ‘Off The Record’ CDs

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Jimmy Pursey ‘Animals Have More Fun’ UK 7″ single (Epic, EPC A1336, 1981)

This is a release I know next to nothing about and which ordinarily might never have been in my record collection, given that I was never very much into the more ramalama punky end of the spectrum, much preferring the artier end of the new wave. So a solo release from Jimmy Pursey of Sham 69, which I’d have tagged at the shoutier end of the street in my ignorance, was never likely to be leaping out of the record racks back in my youth. Yet, this release is something else altogether. When I first heard it, I’d never in a million years have thought it had that connection. What it does have is Peter Gabriel written all over it – for musically this seems very much a production of he and John Ellis, one time Vibrator and later Strangler, amongst other credits. Musically, this certainly has 80/82 Gabriel all over it. A low quality dub can be heard on youtube.

Jimmy Pursey 'Animals Have More Fun' UK 7" sleeve
^ Jimmy Pursey \’Animals Have More Fun\’ UK 7 inch sleeve

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