Vanity

Necessary compilation of one of the most revered and whispered-about Japanese underground labels, Vanity Records. Vanity were briefly active in the late 70s and early 80s. Run by Agi Yuzuru, who also edited Rock Magazine, the label released 10 LPs, 3 singles, a double compilation, a bunch of cassettes and even a few flexi discs that came free with issues of the zine. Vanity offers a uniquely twisted vantage point on a creatively accelerated period, translating what was happening in the punk and No Wave scene in New York as well as the UK and European Industrial explosion via the Japanese aesthetic of Further. One of their most highly regarded releases was Tolerance’s 1981 LP Divin, a long-term VT touchstone, a group that combined minimal Industrial electronics with primitive techno and the sound of the Japanese grid for the perfect nocturnal soundtrack. They’re represented here with the classic TG whipcrack sound of “Sacrifice”. Groups like Sympathy Nervous have a classic cracked middle-European new wave/synth deadpan quality but with drum machine and keys that come over like a home-recorded “Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne”. Dada’s amazing 1978 recording “Yuuen Inraku Gaki” combines wailing Far Out-meets-Fripp lead guitar over martial percussion and choirs of Popol Vuh-styled synth, directly connecting the new wave with earlier psych experiments. This one is up there with that phenomenal Onna 7” that came out on Holy Mountain: Julian Cope definitely needs to pick up on these guys. Mad Tea Party have a great stumpy idiot-avant appeal that anyone who digs Gasaneta/Guys N Dolls circuit will pretty much swoon. Phew’s punk group Aunt Sally are represented with a self-titled track from 1979. Also features wild tracks from RNA Organism, BGM, Arbeit, Morio Agata, Normal Brain, Perfect Mother and Kiiro Radical. A secret history of yet another side of one of the most fertile experimental music scenes in the world. On white/pink spattered vinyl. Highly recommended.