belgian cold wave
ltm catalogue


In addition to the cult compilations From Brussels With Love (1980) and B9 (1981), LTM are pleased to present the following artists and titles from the golden age of post-punk adventure in Belgium:


VARIOUS B9 bis LTMCD 2486 £10
Originally released by Sandwich Records in May 1981, rare compilation album B9 featured exclusive tracks from Digital Dance, Polyphonic Size, Kid Montana, Pseudo Code and several other Belgian artists from the independent and underground scene. This digital remaster has been expanded with 8 bonus tracks, and now offers a broader view of the post-punk scene in Brussels and Belgium between 1979 and 1983. 18 tracks, 75 minutes of music, click here to read liner notes. Full tracklist: Kid Montana Cabs Ambush; Tristes Tropiques Untitled *1; Prothese Tumeurs; Rel Rex Program; Digital Dance Human Zoo; Polyphonic Size Kyoto; Satin Wall Dans les Profondeurs; Tristes Tropiques Untitled *2; Pseudo Code Around Midnight; Slim Jack & H.F.C. So Sah Gelleck Tissah; The Names Spectators of Life; Siglo XX Individuality; Marine Life In Reverse; Isolation Ward Lamina Christus; Front 242 Principles (Instrumental); Allez Allez Allez Allez; Berntholer Emotions; Jung The Real Thing.

Reviews: "Showcases the talents of Belgium's enigmatically-monikered underground and new wave scenes" (Boomkat, 10/2007)


BERNTHOLER MERRY LINES IN THE SKY LTMCD 2403 £10
This enhanced CD gathers together all Berntholer studio recordings (uncluding many unreleased demos) made between 1983 and 1985, and also includes an extended QuickTime mpeg audio visual section featuring video clips for My Suitor, Exterior Nuit and The Choice. The artwork includes detailed sleevenotes and archive photos. Full tracklist: My Suitor, Pardon Up Here, Lunacies, Emotions, You Grabbed Me by the Hand, Private Hotel, The Curtain Long, Kingdom Mine, Map Your Eyes, Shape the Rain, Merry Lines in Skies, A Distance, Simulation, Japanese Garden, The Others, My Suitor (video), Exterior Nuit (video), The Choice (video).

Reviews: "The striking combination of light clssical undertones, effervescent acoustic guitars, bubbling bass and Drita's quirky lyrics ensure a shimmering 61 minutes" (The Big Takeover, 09/04); "A loving collection of songs by a terrific band that created diverse and easily digestible music. For those who take pleasure in reading surreal short stories rich in detail and listening to songs that weave warm tales using unconventional melodies, Merry Lines is a perfect addition to the CD rack" (delusions of adequacy.com, 12/04); "A definitive collection, lead by My Suitor, a cello-driven slice of sweetly downbeat chamber pop" (Brainwashed, 2005)


MARINE LIFE IN REVERSE (LTMCD 2396) £10
This enhanced CD gathers together all Marine studio recordings for the first time, and also includes an extended QuickTime MP3 audio visual section featuring charming Super 8 home movie footage of a trip to London to perform at a Crepuscule 'party' night at Heaven in July 1981, plus shorts and rehearsal material. The artwork includes original images by Benoit Hennebert, as well as detailed sleevenotes and archive photos. Full tracklist: Life In Reverse, Animal in my Head, Same Beat, Marenas Bop, Scrub, Remember Caribou, A Proposito Dei Napoli, How to Keep Cool, Turn Up the Meter, She's Stirring Up, A Man and A Woman, Leningrad in Winter, Dim the Light, Kiss My Knee. PLUS 25 minutes of Quicktime video clips of live/home Super 8 footage.

Reviews: "To call Marine a funk group would be but half the story. Blending the articulate, rhythmic groove of the JBs with the frenetic speed of punk, the band helmed passionate, intense music. With untouchable tracks like Animal in My Head, She's Stirring Up and Same Beat this is a vital collection" (The Big Takeover, 9/04); "Shake your head in bewilderment that Marine didn't become all conquering" (Whisperin' & Hollerin', 10/04)


THE NAMES SWIMMING + SINGLES LTMCD 2324 £10
Full length 17 track reissue from the acclaimed Belgian group. Between 1979 and 1982 The Names released a trio of peerless singles, including Calcutta, The Astronaut and the classic Nightshift. Their sole album, Swimming, appeared in 1982 on Crepuscule, and like the singles was produced by Martin Hannett. This remastered CD combines the entire album with extra tracks including both sides of the Nightshift and Calcutta singles, plus The Astronaut and two tracks recorded for Crepuscule compilation albums. Full sleevenotes, original Benoit Hennebert artwork. Full tracklist: Music For Someone, Discovery, Floating World, The Fire, Life by the Sea, White Shadow, Calcutta, Postcards, (This Is) Harmony, Shanghai Gesture, Leave Her to Heaven, Light, Nightshift, I Wish I Could Speak Your Language, The Astronaut, Cat, I Wish I Could Speak Your Language (pre-mix version).

Reviews: "Intelligent and imaginative" (The Face, 7/1982); "Classic disaffected pop" (Top, 4/1991); "Exhibits many of the fine qualities of early 80s avant-rock: icy brutalism, spectral reverb, tormented vocals, techno-tribal rumbles" (Uncut, 12/2000)


POINT FINAL (LTMCD 2545) £10
Remastered archive compilation by Belgian cold wave band Isolation Ward featuring all tracks from both singles released on Les Disques du Crepuscule in 1982/83, as well as tracks from the cassette album Point de Depart. Booklet includes archive IW images and detailed band history. 17 tracks, 71 minutes of music. Full tracklist: Lamina Christus, Babes and Sucklings (A Lullaby), Deadlock, Hope and Despair, Illusions, Meat in Motion, Once and For All, Remember, Feeling the Pain, Try Again, Still From Heaven, Waste, Absent Heart, A Request, Fifth Rate Puritains, Slow (N.T.), Dangerous

Reviews: "Isolation Ward's best efforts are smart examples of nervous, melancholic electronic/rock fusions. Plenty of comparison points can be drawn thanks to keening vocals and bass/drum-heavy arrangements - Wire just before their first breakup, 17 Seconds-era Cure, the earliest work of The Passions, Modern English and Cocteau Twins, and perhaps above all else Siouxsie and the Banshees. A typically comprehensive overview" (Allmusicguide, 11/2009)


TREATMENT (LTMCD 2498) £10
Digital Dance were formed in Brussels in July 1978 by singer/guitarist Jerry WX and guitarist Stephan Barbery. The group released their first single on Disques Vogue in July 1979, followed by Faulty, Treatment and Three Meanings. John Peel championed Faulty in the UK, and the band played several high profile live shows, including a residency at the Gibus Club in Paris and a support slot with Joy Division at Plan K in January 1980. As well as remastered singles and unreleased demo tracks, this archive CD also includes two expansive live tracks from the close of their career. 17 tracks, 75 minutes of music, detailed liner notes by Drital Kotaji (Berntholer). Full tracklist: Hospital Dance, All Those Words, Cleaned Mind/I'm So Shy, I Sleep on the Waves, Faulty, Computer Rock, Treatment, Bad Meeting, Human Zoo, No Reason, Sinking Tanker, Back From the Waves, Der Spiegelpalais, Three Meanings, Cruelty, The Night Suite (live), Common Denominator (live).

Reviews: "Ace - far too good to have been consigned to the vaults" (Boomkat, 11/2007)


VARIOUS FROM BRUSSELS WITH LOVE LTMCD 2479 £10
Originally released as a deluxe cassette/book package in November 1980, From Brussels With Love features exclusive tracks from the international avant garde and new wave. Contributing artists include Gavin Bryars, Harold Budd, Dome, The Durutti Column, John Foxx, Martin Hannett, Richard Jobson, Bill Nelson, New Order and Michael Nyman. The programme also includes extended interviews with Brian Eno and iconic French actress Jeanne Moreau. This new CD edition has been digitally remastered from the original master tapes, and features 76 minutes of material. Most of the tracks featured here remain unavailable elsewhere. The 20 page facsimile booklet features original artwork by Benoit Hennebert, Claude Stassart and Jean-Francois Octave, as well as archive images and detailed liner notes. To read liner note extract click here.

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