{"title":"The Outer Edge","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"welche-farbe-hat-der-wind-marian-tone-rework","title":"Welche Farbe hat der Wind (Marian Tone Rework)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Outer Edge is very proud to release another quite sensational release. Here are the official\nreworks of Hans Hass' proto-AOR \/ cloud rock hymn \"Welche Farbe hat der Wind\" (which translates\nto \"What color is the wind\").\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe main producer for this release was Marian Tone (of Key Elements), who reworked the track\nalmost from scratch. He re-recorded the drums, the bassline, and some chords while keeping Hass's\noriginal vocal layer. The distinctive guitar playing by co-composer Gabor Kristof sparkles throughout.\nThe result is exactly what we had hoped and asked for: a DJ-friendly version of this überclassic track.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe idea for this rework project came to mind when label owner DJ Scientist got word from Tobias\nKirmayer of Tramp Records that \"Welche Farbe hat der Wind\" would be officially re-released for the\nfirst time on his compilation series \"Praise Poems\" as well as on a single reissue. Scientist\nimmediately asked if he could make an edit with louder drums to make the track more playable in a\nDJ set. However, as the masters of the Tramp reissues had already been submitted to the pressing\nplant, he was granted permission to re-license the track and rework it for his own label instead.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHence, the reworks feature Scientist’s \"vintage drums\" mix, which has the drums mixed louder, plus\ndrums added at the quite psychedelic and experimental last third, with a few other sound adjustments\nmade.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut it was up to Berlin-based DJ and music producer Marian Tone to put the icing on the cake and\nrework and enhance the song further with his own version. With fellow Key Elements bandmember\nSteffen Kieslich, he completely re-recorded the drums. Then it was up to Doron Segal to replay the\nbass and the keys. What we get is the classic sound of \"Welche Farbe hat der Wind\" - just updated\nand fresher.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor the first time ever, the track is also available as an instrumental version. Here, the great original\nguitar playing keeps the song going and going, and makes it perfectly clear that this tune, which\noriginally came out on the schlager album \"Reise in eine glückliche Zukunft\" in 1974, is pretty damn\nfunky!\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt has been difficult to put \"Welche Farbe hat der Wind\" into a genre box, But it has been described as\n\"rare groove\",\"psychedelic schlager\", and even \"proto-AOR\". For facility, Scientist has coined the new\nterm \"cloud rock\" to describe this particular style of soft but groovy music. The name cloud rock bears\na conspicuous reference to the krautrock genre as well. More tracks in a similar vein will be heard\nsoon in a DJ mix under the same name.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMarian Tone's rework, as well as the corresponding instrumental version, will be released on a limited\n7\" single with a full-color picture sleeve. The digital release will feature the DJ Scientist re-mix plus an\nalternative version that puts more focus on the re-recorded bassline. In any case, this is an essential\nitem for any music lover as well as the ideal contribution to your ultimate \"cloud rock\" DJ set!\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50454173090123,"sku":"2003050","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/TAC-013_1cf59fa0_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727181785"},{"product_id":"dont-stop-early-works-and-artefacts-1984-1987","title":"Dont Stop - Early Works and Artefacts 1984-1987","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eDon’t Stop\u003c\/i\u003e is the third album retrospectively released by Ghia. As the subtitle\n\"Early Works and Artefacts 1984-1987\" implies, it features some of their earliest\ncompositions as well as tracks that were recorded during the same period as\ntheir \"Curaçao Blue\" LP.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe album is a fusion of diverse music styles. Listeners will delight in a range\nof genres, including electro, funk, soul, jazz-funk, synth pop, and even rap \/ hip-\nhop, all woven together as a cohesive work that remains mostly instrumental.\nAs a whole, \u003ci\u003eDon't Stop\u003c\/i\u003e represents Ghia's funkiest and most experimental\nrelease to date. Notably, the LP features a rap version of Hermann Hesse's\ncontroversial German poem \"Armer Teufel am Morgen nach dem Maskenball\"\n(“Poor Devil the Morning After the Costume Ball”) from 1926, accompanied by\na drum machine rhythm and funky guitar. This poem depicts a person who\ndrank too much the night before, telling the story and describing his hangover.\nThe title track \"Don't Stop\" and the thrilling minimal electro-funk tune \"3 A.M.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eat Moëf Gaga\" both evoke old-school electro influences. The latter references\nthe Spanish discotheque Moëf Gaga, located on the Balearic coast, which the\ndynamic duo of Lutz Boberg and Frank Simon frequented during their 1980s\nholidays. While the exact music played at 3 A.M. is unknown, listening to\nGhia's track will undoubtedly capture the mood of the place.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the key tracks of the album is \"Message From The Other Side\", which\ncould easily be noted as one of the nicest European synth-funk instrumental\npieces ever. The track is based on a sick synth bass line, sparkled with DX7\nchord hits, funky guitar, and a delightful \"marimba\" solo in the last third. The\nsolo was actually played on Boberg's keyboard, using a special sound\ncartridge. This particular track had to be edited and technically revised by\nMarian Tone and DJ Scientist as the existing demo version of the song could\nnot be used as is. With its stunning groove, this track will surely be a DJ's\nfavorite.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eListening to the complete album, there is more of Boberg's keyboard wizardry:\ncould you believe that the trumpet solo on \"Jump In The Water\" as well as the\nshort but stunning slap bass solo on \"Talk Too Much\" were both played by on\nthe DX7? However, this new release, unlike the jazzy \"Curaçao Blue\", is not\nabout solos or virtuous playing - it clearly shows the duo’s direction towards\nmore electronic composition and clear song structures. The versions of\n\"September Garden\", \"When The Rain is Falling\" as well as \"Talk Too Much\"\nare actually instrumental mixdowns of vocal songs. And again, we get a\nblissful take of \"Close To You\", here a version from 1986. This soulful jazz-\nfunk ballad could already be heard on \"Curaçao Blue\" while the final vocal\nversion with singer Lisa Ohm can be found on the recently released \"This Is\"\nLP. This shows that the Ghia composers, Boberg and Simon, were\nperfectionists - tracks were reworked again and again, making them better\nand better.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50486534570315,"sku":"2025875","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a2854009612_10_d1e0b3ca_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727610901"},{"product_id":"shake-it-make-it-loose","title":"Shake It - Make It Loose","description":"\u003cp\u003eA true gem on our label: the first-ever vinyl reissue of the highly collectible \u003ci\u003eShake It – Make It Loose\u003c\/i\u003e LP by J.D. (Puma) Lewis. Originally released on the infamous Metrovynil label in 1984, it stands as the best and most authentic boogie\/80s funk album ever produced in Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHowever, little is known about this legendary release, and the credits are sparse and often confusing. In reality, \u003ci\u003eShake It – Make It Loose\u003c\/i\u003e was a collaboration between just two musicians: John Davis (R.I.P., later one of the real voices behind Milli Vanilli for producer Frank Farian) and Reginald Hudson (of Hudson People). Both were first-class, highly talented musicians and composers from the U.S., who spent most of their lives living and working in Southern Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50945159692619,"sku":"2235642","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/EDGE026_1bea5c57_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1733573278"},{"product_id":"subways-of-your-mind-2","title":"Subways Of Your Mind","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe official vinyl release of \"Subways Of Your Mind\" by Fex, a track that captivated music enthusiasts worldwide as the 'Most Mysterious Song on the Internet', or short TMS. After years of speculation, the song's origins have been confirmed, and now, for the first time ever, it is available on a 7\" single.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eThe release features the original demo version of the song recorded in 1983, faithfully restored and remastered. The single is backed with \"Heart In Danger\", an equally stunning track from the band, also taken from their original demo cassette. Ture Rückwardt, songwriter and singer of Fex, even considers this as his most favourite.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":51118398243147,"sku":"2240074","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a4253891661_16_33f0172a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1737145982"},{"product_id":"trip-to-your-mind-delfonic-ltj-reworks-up","title":"Trip To Your Mind (Delfonic and LTJ Reworks)","description":"\u003cp\u003eEssential and classic Disco Funk \/ Dancefloor Jazz-Funk masterpiece. Both edits preserve the psychedelic essence of the original while making it more compatible with modern listening habits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePressed on a high-quality, loud-cut 12\", this release is a must-have for any DJ’s collection. It follows our label’s GI-related releases by \u003cstrong\u003eGrand Slam\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eShake It – Make It Loose\u003c\/strong\u003e by \u003cstrong\u003eJ.D. Puma Lewis\u003c\/strong\u003e — another project that composer and keyboardist \u003cstrong\u003eReginald Hudson\u003c\/strong\u003e was involved in.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"12\" - Black","offer_id":51424897171787,"sku":"R1309-9589","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/EDGE030.jpg?v=1741692412"},{"product_id":"subways-of-your-mind-tmms-version-kx","title":"Subways Of Your Mind (TMMS Version)","description":"\u003cp\u003eImagine having a song go viral for 17 years — without even knowing it. That’s exactly what happened to the German 1980s band FEX. And this isn’t just any song — it’s The Most Mysterious Song on the Internet, a track that puzzled music detectives for decades before finally being identified in November 2024. Now, it has been officially released.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"7\" - Black","offer_id":51424897499467,"sku":"R9046-2488","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"7\" - Yellow Black Splatter","offer_id":52419992682827,"sku":"R9046-0999","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/EDGE029.jpg?v=1741692870"},{"product_id":"sa-discossa-et","title":"Sa Discossa","description":"\u003cp\u003eA pioneering force in African music, Jo Tongo has always been on top of the game. Since the late 60s he has been recording music under his early Jojo L'Explosif moniker. His debut album \"Jo Tongo\" was released 1976 on Fiesta\/Decca and features classic tracks like Jangolo and Piani. Now, after decades of underground influence and global recognition, his second album Sa Discossa (1980) is re-released for the first time. Being an electrifying fusion of African rhythms, disco, makossa, reggae and funk it is reflecting his lifelong journey of musical exploration and cultural storytelling and claims its place as an essential recording in the Afro-disco movement. Jo Tongo’s music is inseparable from his life’s story—a journey that spans continents, struggles, and victories. From his early years as a leading African musician before the global rise of Afrobeat, to his deep roots in classical training, and his time performing in France and Germany, his sound is shaped by a rich blend of influences. Sa Discossa is more than just a disco record. It embodies Jo Tongo’s philosophy of resistance, identity, and celebration. The title itself is a blend of “disco” and “makossa,” reflecting the seamless fusion of African groove and the dancefloor energy that defined the era. Tracks like Bunya, sung in his native language, carry messages of love, gratitude, and resilience—sentiments that remain as relevant today as they were nearly 50 years ago. Tongo’s musical journey also took him through the world of reggae, inspired by his exposure to American and Caribbean artists. Despite taking a step back from the stage in recent years, he remains open to new possibilities. \"Music is like a fire—it never truly dies. I have a lot to say, and music is the best way to say it.\" For Jo Tongo, music is more than entertainment—it’s a language of truth, a testament to history, and a bridge between cultures. The rhythm of Sa Discossa lives on, stronger than ever. With Sa Discossa returning under the African Edge series on The Outer Edge label, Jo Tongo’s legacy continues to resonate, proving that real music never fades.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":51603143065931,"sku":"R5722-4970","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/EDGE031.jpg?v=1744107473"},{"product_id":"mit-den-puppen-tanzen-iu","title":"Mit den Puppen tanzen","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover Mit den Puppen tanzen by Collage on The Outer Edge label. Limited reissue on classic black and blue transparent vinyl. A true gem in German Electro and NDW history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"Black 12\"","offer_id":51641565708619,"sku":"2236570","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Blue 12\"","offer_id":51641565741387,"sku":"2236571","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/2236570.jpg?v=1744714886"},{"product_id":"motel-d-amour-ef","title":"Motel d'amour","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMotel d'amour\u003c\/em\u003e is a concept album, offering a sharp, vibrant perspective from a confident, intelligent, and radiant young woman eager to experience nightlife, love, and music. Kunze's lyrics paint vivid scenes of flirtation (\"Nachtcafé\", \"Rendezvous\"), encounters with men (\"Casanova\"), the pulse of nightlife (\"Die Nacht ist noch jung\"), love (\"Rotes Licht für rote Liebe\"), one-night stands (\"Motel d'amour\"), and more. Rarely has a German album from that era captured emotional nuance and social dynamics so insightfully. Without veering into the overly personal, Kunze's direct, daring lyrical style was groundbreaking at the time - and remains refreshingly bold today.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":51845289345355,"sku":"R0483-7219","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/EDGE032BL.jpg?v=1747686529"},{"product_id":"skyscraper","title":"Skyscraper","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe incredible story that began with The Most Mysterious Song on the Internet (TMMS) now enters an exciting new chapter: \u003cem\u003eSkyscraper\u003c\/em\u003e, the debut album by Fex.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eSkyscraper\u003c\/em\u003e features ten original tracks recorded in the early to mid-1980s—carefully re-transferred, remastered, and brought back to life. The album cover, designed by Darius S., brings the story full circle. Darius is the very person who preserved the now-iconic track Subways of Your Mind by recording it from NDR radio in the mid-80s. Without him, FEX may never have been discovered.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFex’s debut opens with its namesake, \u003cem\u003eSkyscraper\u003c\/em\u003e—a brooding, previously unreleased track the band once described as part of their “psychedelic phase.” With haunting synth-helicopter textures and deep guitar riffs, it immediately sets the tone and raises tension.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe release flows naturally into the energetic and fully remastered studio version of Subways of Your Mind. This version of the TMMS — re-discovered on the “yellow label tape” by Reddit user Marijn—was long believed to be from a smaller home studio, but was actually recorded in November 1984 at Hawkeye Studios in Ganderkesee, near Hamburg. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGoldrush, first teased in raw form on Fex’s YouTube channel, bends toward mechanical rhythm and shimmering synths, a snapshot of the band’s experiments with programmed drum machine sound. Rückwardt’s lyrics point to greed and criticizes materialism, and while the music leans toward pop sensibilities, it carries a raw, fractured edge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeart in Danger and I’ve Got My Eyes On You offer contrasting experiences—one rooted in classic post-punk tension, the other floating in melodic synth layers. The latter in particular feels like a fragment from a parallel radio history: a precise and one of a kind synth pop love song with a progressive touch. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom a rehearsal tape comes Dirty Slapstick, its urgency intact. Missing keyboard parts were later reconstructed by Michael Hädrich using his original DX7 synthesizer—recovering lost elements without rewriting the past. The lyrics take a wry look at forced optimism. Also included are the songs Talking Hands, Jenny and Strange Feeling, the latter being a slower blues-tinged cut, revealing yet another facet of the band’s reach and Rückwardt’s songwriting diversity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe album closes where the legend began—with the original radio recording of Subways of Your Mind from Darius’ cassette. This version of The Most Mysterious Song features alternate vocal effects, contributing to the track’s enigmatic aura. Digitally transferred using a high-end Revox machine and carefully remastered, it now has its long-deserved official release.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe gatefold cover features a photo of the Eichenberg Bunker in Kiel—one of Fex’s original rehearsal spaces and a symbolic monument to their sonic legacy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"LP - Yellow","offer_id":52020347011403,"sku":"R8131-1446","price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":52020347044171,"sku":"R8131-6319","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52020347076939,"sku":"R8131-2880","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a1238620904_10.jpg?v=1749337373"},{"product_id":"trip-to-your-mind-dj-friction-rework","title":"Trip To Your Mind (DJ Friction Rework)","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing the success of the 12” “Trip To Your Mind (The Reworks)”—where Delfonic and LTJ Xperience both brought their own magic to Hudson People’s disco\/jazz-funk anthem—we’re back with a fresh twist: DJ Friction steps in for an official 7” rework, breathing new life into this cult classic in his own unmistakable style.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor those who’ve been following the story, you know “Trip To Your Mind” is a true favourite among DJs and collectors since decades, from its creative inception by the writer Reginald Hudson with the GI funk band Body Heat, to the original recording taking place in the late 70s in London that eventually paved the way for disco lovers to produce this recent string of reworks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhere the 12” reworks stretched out the groove with extended intros and club-friendly builds, Friction’s version keeps things tight and energetic. He adds his own drums, claps, synth touches, and some new vocal layers—combining the standout parts from both the original mix and the classic UK remix. The result is a punchy new take that’s perfect for DJs who want maximum impact in a short format, but still want all the funk and psychedelic flavor that’s made this song a dancefloor staple for decades.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd for collectors? The original 7” of “Trip To Your Mind” is notoriously hard to find—and pricey when it turns up. This new release finally makes it easy to spin a fresh, fully licensed version on 7” wax, expertly mastered for today’s systems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhether you were hooked by the Delfonic or LTJ Xperience edits, or you’re just discovering this tune for the first time, DJ Friction’s rework is a natural next step in the ongoing journey of “Trip To Your Mind.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"7\" - Black","offer_id":53234432246091,"sku":"R3358-4399","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a3031229699_16.jpg?v=1755937830"},{"product_id":"those-flowers","title":"Those Flowers","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing the acclaimed reissue of \u003cem\u003eSa Discossa\u003c\/em\u003e earlier this year, Jo Tongo’s third solo album \u003cem\u003eThose Flowers\u003c\/em\u003e returns to the spotlight. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginally released just a year and a half after \u003cem\u003eSa Discossa\u003c\/em\u003e, this 1982 gem came out on the small Context label and, in Tongo’s own words, the two records are “like twins.” Recorded with many of the same musicians, Those Flowers continues the vibrant fusion of disco-funk and reggae — this time dedicating one side to each, leaning slightly more into his Western influences.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut there’s more than groove beneath the surface. Tracks like “People Need Peace” and “We Human Beings” channel his enduring themes of resistance, identity, and freedom. The synthesizer at the beginning of the song mimics the ominous drone of warplanes, and lyrics speak directly to global struggles — reminders that his music is both deeply personal and powerfully political. “I paid for these ideals in my career,” Tongo reflects, alluding to the personal costs of his outspoken stance against colonialism and injustice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStill, \u003cem\u003eThose Flowers\u003c\/em\u003e carries joy at its heart. Songs like “Ain’t No Man Like A Real Friend” celebrate trust and loyalty, while the title track offers a tender ode to love and kindness — “picking flowers from the soul,” as Tongo puts it. These songs reveal the inner world of a man who has always viewed music as a mirror of life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis reissue marks the second installment in the African Edge series from The Outer Edge label. Fully restored and remastered, \u003cem\u003eThose Flowers\u003c\/em\u003e is now set to bloom again — another vital chapter in the legacy of Jo Tongo.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":53583385035083,"sku":"R2855-7410","price":28.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a3404153514_10.jpg?v=1760272553"},{"product_id":"dead-end","title":"Dead End","description":"\u003cp\u003eWere FEX the Wildest and Weirdest German New Wave Band in 1984? Few cult mysteries in modern music have captured the internet’s imagination quite like “The Most Mysterious Song on the Internet.” Eventually identified as “Subways of Your Mind” by the elusive German band Fex, the track became a viral sensation decades after its creation—and even made its way into a recent Hollywood blockbuster (Black Phone 2). Now, two more lost Fex recordings have emerged from an old demo cassette: “Dead\u003cbr\u003eEnd” and “Sarah.” And they’re every bit as electrifying as the legend suggests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn both songs, guitarist and main songwriter Ture Rückwardt joins forces on lead\u003cbr\u003evocals with his former wife and musical partner Ilona Rückwardt, forming a vocal\u003cbr\u003epairing that channels raw energy and eerie chemistry. What they deliver are two of\u003cbr\u003ethe most urgent, adrenaline-fueled post-punk artifacts you’re likely to hear this\u003cbr\u003eyear—even if they were recorded more than forty years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOpening with a sharp, melodic guitar solo, “Dead End” bursts forward with uptempo\u003cbr\u003edrive—catchy, fierce, and full of momentum. Apparently inspired by Orwell’s 1984,\u003cbr\u003eits lyrics depict urban desolation—loneliness, homelessness, hopelessness—yet still\u003cbr\u003eshimmer with defiance in lines like, “Truth is amazing – hoping is like waiting.”\u003cbr\u003eThe second track, “Sarah,” dives even deeper into darkness. Mixing post-punk\u003cbr\u003eintensity with psychedelic textures, Rückwardt tells an imaginary story of a couple\u003cbr\u003elost in drugs and spiraling through a bad trip, only to wake and realize that sobriety\u003cbr\u003eoffers little comfort—the real world itself can be just as brutal and offers no easy\u003cbr\u003eescape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeither song makes the slightest concession to commercial trends. Instead, they feel\u003cbr\u003eutterly uncompromising—wild, strange, and defiantly timeless. In a world obsessed\u003cbr\u003ewith polish and playlists, “Dead End” and “Sarah” sound like transmissions from a\u003cbr\u003edifferent planet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth tracks were originally recorded as demos in 1984 in the band’s rehearsal room,\u003cbr\u003ewith Hase engineering. The newly restored versions preserve the raw spirit of the\u003cbr\u003eoriginal tapes while adding subtle layers to enhance their atmosphere without losing\u003cbr\u003ethe authentic 1980s sound. FEX hint that the untouched demo versions might surface\u003cbr\u003elater, possibly on a second volume of their archival EP “More Waves from the Past.”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"7\" - Yellow","offer_id":55908294721867,"sku":"R3682-8329","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a2938551561_16.jpg?v=1763150174"},{"product_id":"art-programming","title":"Art Programming","description":"\u003cp\u003eT\u003cspan\u003ehe first full-length work from this Bremen-based electronic group. Originally released only on cassette in 1983, the self-titled album has now been fully restored and remastered, complete with bonus tracks and unreleased mixes unearthed from a rare demo.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe LP opens with \"Wesen vom anderen Stern\" (\"Beings from Another Planet\"), a downtempo, 808-driven electro synth wave track with German lyrics telling a story of aliens capturing earth, becoming the new \"Herren\" (lords), while humans are reduced to mere \"objects.\" Art Programming founding member Jens-Markus Wegener notes that this track has always been a favourite during live performances, and it's easy to imagine how the futuristic sounds would have blown people away at the time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eNext is the electro\/proto-techno title track \"Art Programming,\" which was previously issued on a limited 12\" in its full-length form. With its straightforward Roland 808 rhythms, catchy synth lines, and vocoder vocals, it’s a classic example of German electro, and one of the earliest proto-techno tracks — long before Cybotron claimed the techno mantle. Its extensive break and electronic\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e twist make it an early precursor to the genre. Wegener recalls that this track was created exclusively by him and Grotelüschen, with Grotelüschen contributing most of the melodic elements, while Wegener focused on drum machine programming and vocoder vocals.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn \"That's Me,\" the album welcomes back singer Claudia Roebke. Although it’s an electronic composition, Roebke adds a rock-infused, almost psychedelic vibe to the song. The lyrics, written by Wegener, depict a person obsessed with their appearance, using irony to critique societal beauty norms, questioning the obsession with perfection and attraction.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe album continues with a series of uptempo electro tracks: \"Videoscreen,\" \"La Gare,\" and \"Genscher Pull 'N' Push.\" The first two feature slightly different mixes from an earlier demo that we personally prefered over the versions that were available on the final cassette release. \"Videoscreen\" expands on the theme of social isolation, with lyrics reflecting on a world obsessed with watching video all day — a topic that resonates strongly with today’s culture of doom scrolling and social media addiction.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNext up, \"Genscher Pull 'N' Push\" is an incredible electro\/wave\/proto-techno track recorded in October 1982 with a political edge. Originally omitted from the album, it was only available on the demo cassette we mentioned earlier. The song takes aim at German politics, with lyrics that shout \"bitte geh nach links \/ bitte geh nach rechts\" (\"please go to the left\" and \"please go to the right\"), referencing the shifting political allegiances during the 1982 coalition change, when Genscher’s party, the FDP, left the Helmut Schmidt cabinet to join the CDU\/CSU opposition. The track was never released as the political topic had become outdated just a few months later.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe album closes with \"Light and Fire,\" which originally served as the album's opening track. Its quirky, upbeat vibe now makes for a fitting outro.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe gear used on this album reads like a dream list for early 80s electronic music production: Roland Jupiter 4, TR 808, TB 303, System 100, SVC 350, Korg Mono\/Poly, Moog Prodigy, FRICKE-Sequenzer, Roland CSQ-100 Sequenzer, Coron DS-8, MM 12\/2, Sony TC 399, TEAC-244 Portastudio, Ibanez DM 1000, EH-Electric Mistress, EV-Micro. This unique lineup of equipment sets the album apart from NDW releases of the era, lending it a distinct sound with heavy proto-techno leanings and that straightforward electro vibe we all love.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"LP - Red Transparent","offer_id":56520946909515,"sku":"R5866-6818","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/EDGE041.jpg?v=1771102348"},{"product_id":"tender-rain","title":"Tender Rain","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCall it soulful dream pop, proto–trip hop or downtempo jazz – \u003cem\u003eTender Rain \u003c\/em\u003eis the follow-up LP to the successful \u003cem\u003eThis Is \u003c\/em\u003ealbum and continues to deliver Ghia’s unmistakable sonic magic. On this release, the band shares a selection of previously unreleased vocal songs alongside instrumental pieces, all carried by their trademark chilled and almost meditative atmosphere. Most of the recordings date from the early 1990s, while early demo versions of “New Love” and “Teardrops in Your Eyes” may reach back as far as the late 1980s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe album opens with the title track “Tender Rain,” where smooth vocal jazz harmonies merge effortlessly with soulful pop elements. The track originally appeared only on CD in 1993 on the small Mikado label run by renowned German guitarist Ulli Bögershausen. The band recalls that the piece was first pre-recorded using MIDI equipment and a Tascam 16-track recorder before being completed in the studio with drums by legendary drummer Mickie Stickdorn (Carsten Bohn's Bandstand, Cyklus, Elephant, Lake), percussion by Corinna Ludzuweit, and the final touch—Lisa Ohm’s remarkable vocals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the time, Mikado was also looking for instrumental material for radio and synchronization use. They selected the track “Tropfstein” for a sampler CD and requested more pieces. In response, “und recken ihre schlanken Glieder” (roughly translated as “and stretching their slender limbs”) was composed especially for the project, as Frank Simon remembers. Both tracks appeared on the now rare Mikado sampler CD under the alias z. Zt., short for “zur Zeit” (“at present” or “these days”).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeveral further pieces in a similar vein were created during this period, including the previously unissued “Auf unserm grünen Sofa,” “Reise bei Nacht,” and “Was ich Dir noch sagen wollte.” These tracks are beautifully crafted downtempo pieces featuring smooth, jazzy piano lines combined with touches of ambient and New Age aesthetics. “Auf unserm grünen Sofa” stands out in particular and will likely resonate with all downtempo enthusiasts. Lutz Boberg recalls that many of these recordings were captured during a single afternoon in the studio, fueled by spontaneous ideas and creative momentum.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn tracks such as “Teardrops in Your Eyes,” “New Love,” and the haunting Dark Spirits Mix of Ghia’s song “What’s Your Voodoo?”, singer Lisa Ohm delivers soulful pop performances with her clear and captivating voice. “Change Your Sex,” the third track previously featured on the Mikado sampler, leans more toward late-1980s funk and was aimed at radio and DJs at the time. Its subject matter was relatively daring for the period, telling the story of someone contemplating a change of sex “to get rid of the troubles.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTogether with “This Is” and “Curacao Blue”, “Tender Rain” forms another essential chapter in the rediscovery of the band’s work. More than thirty years after their creation, these recordings still sound strikingly fresh, reflecting a unique style that in many ways anticipated the rise of trip-hop in the early to mid-1990s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":56854819176779,"sku":"R8406-8996","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/EDGE043.jpg?v=1774093763"},{"product_id":"dont-look-back-1","title":"Don't Look Back","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first Fex live album, \u003cem\u003eDon't Look Back\u003c\/em\u003e. The release features selected recordings from two concerts in Paderborn and Uelzen, both captured in 1985. All tracks on the album are previously unissued, including entirely unheard songs such as It's a Hard Life, Just Get Back, Legend, and Waiting Song, alongside a previously unreleased version of Subways of Your Mind, widely known as \"The Most Mysterious Song on the Internet.\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the most striking aspects of the album is the remarkable sound quality of the live recordings, as well as the strength of the performances themselves - particularly given that Fex were still considered a newcomer band at the time. The four-piece lineup consisted of singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter Ture Rückwardt, Michael Hädrich on keyboards and occasional second guitar, Norbert Ziermann on bass, and Hans-Reimer Sievers on drums. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"LP - Yellow","offer_id":57090557575499,"sku":"R1032-5338","price":33.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":57157173051723,"sku":"R1032-2590","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a1588037425_1x1_700.avif?v=1776856940"},{"product_id":"breakin-out-girl-so-fine","title":"Breakin' Out \/ Girl So Fine","description":"\u003cp\u003eHighscore is one of the newest-and quite sensational-discoveries in funk of the 1980s out of Germany. Two tracks Breakin' Out and Girls So Fine, both recorded about 40 years ago and shelved ever since, are finally receiving a long-overdue 12\" release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLabel founder DJ Scientist tells the story of how the tracks were uncovered:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Several years ago, while researching the Crea label-after we had already licensed 'You're Not The One For Me' by Peter Patzer-I also wanted to find out more about another band on the label: Nuages, who had released the stunning jazz-funk\/fusion album Cumulus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInterestingly, a Discogs user had uploaded a hand written promo letter from one of the band members along with the LP. In it, drummer Mike Bach mentioned plans for a second album, as well as a single featuring a 'coloured singer'-which caught my attention. (A note on language: the original letter from 1985 uses the term 'coloured.' We've chosen to quote it directly as a historical document, but want to be clear that this reflects the terminology of the era and not language we would use today.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDigging deeper, more information was found on Bach's own website, where a project called 'High Score' was mentioned. I immediately got in touch and asked if the recordings from that project still existed. Unfortunately, Bach couldn't locate any of the material at the time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYears passed before we reconnected, when we featured 'Strange Weekend' by Nuages on our recent yacht rock compilation. I still had the Highscore project in mind and asked again. Once more, Mike had to deny-but he made another effort and reached out to former collaborators. A few weeks later, guitarist and composer Hermann Behrens discovered cassette tapes containing tracks from the Highscore project. I couldn't wait to hear them…\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo go back a bit: Nuages were a jazz-rock band from Bremerhaven, originally formed by guitarist Joachim \"Fussy\" Fuß in 1982. The lineup included Mike Bach (drums and percussion), Klaus Hinners (bass), and Frank Fischer (keyboards). In 1984, John Dillard, a U.S. GI stationed in Germany, joined Nuages for several live performances as a soul singer. \u003cbr\u003eAround 1985\/1986, Dillard and Bach then teamed up with Hermann Behrens with a new focus on electro funk and disco: Highscore was born.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the three demo recordings were finally sent to us, they immediately blew us away. Breakin' Out stood out as an incredible electro-funk boogie gem-exactly what we had been looking for. What's more, it didn't sound like a rough demo at all, Breakin Out was a well-arranged and almost perfectly recorded track, driven by fresh, vibrant synths, drum machines and guitar. The cassette mix wasn't entirely final, but the remaining details could be refined during mastering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe B-side, Girl So Fine, impressed just as much-equally strong and just as captivating as the A-side. Our reaction was immediate: this had to be released without delay!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost importantly, there are a few more recordings from Highscore. However, these only exist as multi-track studio reels, which currently cannot be transferred. In the best case, more material from the band may surface soon-hopefully without another long wait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 12\" release Breakin' Out \/ Girl So Fine\" comes with a newly designed picture sleeve, featuring an original photo of the band members, including background singer Ruben Hopkins who does not appear on these two recordings.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"12\" - Black","offer_id":57445180309835,"sku":"R7866-6488","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/1-highscore-breakin-out-girl-so-fine.webp?v=1779810082"},{"product_id":"trip-to-your-mind-original-mixes","title":"Trip To Your Mind (Original Mixes)","description":"\u003cp\u003eFollowing the success of the rework releases of Trip To Your Mind by Delfonic, LTJ Xperience, and DJ Friction, the time has finally come to reissue the original mixes of this essential and still highly sought-after Disco Funk classic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth the original Hithouse Mix and the re-mix by Chris Hill and Robbie Vincent were released in 1979. However, newly uncovered evidence has revealed that the track was actually recorded much earlier. After extensive research, including the rediscovery of Reginald Hudson's original flight ticket dated September 7, 1976, from Los Angeles to London, proof has emerged that the recording sessions took place in late 1976.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDue to unfortunate circumstances, the track remained shelved for several years and did not see release until 1979. By that time, the original backing band, Body Heat-a group of U.S. Army musicians stationed in Germany-had already disbanded. As a result, the record was released under the project name Hudson People.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReg Hudson has since shared additional photographs and previously unknown information, which will be revealed in the coming months. To further celebrate the record's legacy, an official music video is currently in production and is scheduled for release this summer, marking the track's 50th anniversary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the original master tapes have unfortunately been lost, the audio has been transferred and restored using highest end equipment from the best available sources. In particular, the original Hithouse Mix now sounds better than ever before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 12-inch release is presented in a faithful reproduction of its rare original \"Disco 45\" sleeve, believed to have been included only with the earliest pressings.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Outer Edge","offers":[{"title":"12\" - Black","offer_id":57535155929419,"sku":"R9396-7298","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a2303351911_10.jpg?v=1780936048"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/the-outer-edge.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}