WANG CHUNG
"They were the pinnacle of intelligent new-wave synth-pop in the eighties."
Country:
TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A (1985) (SOUNDTRACK)
Credits:
Artwork By [Art Direction, Design] - Steve Gerdes /Artwork By [Graphic Design] - Pablo Ferro /Executive Producer - David Massey , John Kalodner /Mastered By [Original] - Greg Fulginiti/ Producer - Wang Chung (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 8),Chris Hughes , Ross Cullum (track 04) ,Steve Jolley & Tony Swain (track 01)/Producer [Assistant] - David Motion (track 03)/Engineer - Brad Davis (track 02)/Recorded By [Motion-rama] - David Motion /Written By, Other [Performed By] - Wang Chung
Notes:
Music from the motion picture "To Live And Die In L.A.". Tracks 01-04 are vocal,the rest are instrumental
Tracklist:
01 To Live And Die In L.A. (4:52)
02 Lullaby (4:40)
03 Wake Up, Stop Dreaming (4:36)
04 Wait (4:22)
05 City Of The Angels (9:16)
06 he Red Stare (3:10)
07 Black-Blue-White (2:20)
08 Every Big City (5:10)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54961190/wc-_to_live192_kbs.rar.html
Director William Friedkin knows a thing or two about innovative, genre-bending film scores. He commissioned edgy modern-jazz player Don Ellis for his classic The French Connection and reworked Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" into the haunting soundtrack for the blockbuster The Exorcist. But even veteran film buffs were surprised when Friedkin turned the scoring chores for his taut 1985 forgery-ring thriller To Live and Die in LA over to British pop stars Wang Chung. Though they're still best known for their perennial rock-of-the-'80s hits "Dancehall Days," "Everybody Have Fun Tonight," and "Let's Go," Friedkin's early admiration for the band's often underrated musicality paid off with a tense, rhythmic soundscape that crystallized the era and locale of the film. And, though synth-pop has gained ill repute as a cheesy 1980s cliché, this album ably proves that it could rise above its stereotype in dramatic fashion. The Jack Hues-sung title track was also a minor pop hit. --Jerry McCulley
"Director William Friedkin chose Wang Chung to score "To Live and Die in L.A." on the strength of the band's debut album "Points on the Curve". Wang Chung's techno rhythms, lush interludes, and ironic lyrics turned out to be the perfect sound for Friedkin's complex, cynical neo-noir masterpiece and one of the most evocative film soundtracks of the 1980s. This CD includes 4 vocal tracks and 4 instrumental tracks. The soundtrack kicks off with the film's title song "To Live and Die in L.A.". William Friedkin had asked Wang Chung not to use the movie's title in a song. But Jack Hues and Nick Feldman did it anyway, and the result is terrific. -And Friedkin liked it. The immediately recognizable percussive "clicking" of the second track, "Lullaby", was effective in heightening moments of relative silence in the film. "Wait"'s tentative, anxious rhythm and lyrics create palpable tension. This embodiment of the film's angst and unease may be its best vocal track. The first instrumental track, "City of Angels", is also the longest track at 9:17 minutes. "City of Angels" is an unforgettable composition for an unforgettable scene. Its energetic techno beat help make "To Live and Die in L.A."'s counterfeiting scene legendary. I mention "To Live and Die in L.A.", "Lullaby", "Wait", and "City of Angels" because they are the most evocative of the film's tone. It would have been nice if "Dance Hall Days" were included, since it is featured briefly in the film -and that's one reason I give this soundtrack 4 stars. This is good work by Wang Chung, without which one of the most memorable films of the 1980s would not have been as memorable. The soundtrack is invaluable to the film, but well worth listening to on its own."
"Music is top of the line in feeling and depth. Edgy lyrics support rolling melodies, and I would recommend this CD for anyone who enjoys 80's music."
"This soundtrack and movie together are Brilliant and well done. Wang Chung were made for doing this soundtrack. Each track on this album fits the film superbly. City of Angels and To Live and Die in LA are the best in my opinion, but all the other track fit greatly to. Even if your not a big fan of Wang Chung this cd contains songs almost everyone would enjoy."
"Like a few other people who have reviewed this CD, I am not a big fan of Wang Chung, and I am not a big fan of the movie (When I saw the movie during its original theatrical release, I was bored to tears. I cannot even remember the music as it was performed in the film). But this soundtrack is gorgeous in its own right. It is everything sythesized/electronic music can be --- in 1985 and NOW. The vocal selections, especially "Wait Up, Stop Dreaming," are excellent. The instrumentals should be declared classics. They are truly haunting. Yes, the sometimes heavy industrial tone may sound "dated" to some ears. But then again, much of what passes for electronic music today already sounds "dated." I do not know if this soundtrack was nominated for an Oscar, but the academy should be bold sometimes and ignore the overly lush junk like the music from Titanic or Pearl Harbor. The originality and depth of this soundtrack are what the Academy SHOULD look for"
EVERYBODY HAVE FUN TONIGHT 12" (1986)
Tracklist:
01 Everybody Have Fun Tonight (12 Inches Of Fun) (6:45)
Remix - John "Jellybean" Benitez
02 Everybody Have Fun Tonight (Edit) (3:59)
03 Everybody Dub Tonight (6:02)
Remix - John "Jellybean" Benitez
04 Fun Tonight: The Early Years (4:12)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54926427/wc-everybody_maks.rar.html
MOSAIC (1986)
Credits:
Artwork By [Art Direction, Design] - Norman Moore /Backing Vocals - Ina Wolf , Joe Pizzulo , Julia Waters , Kevin Dorsey , Michael McDonald , Oren Waters , Phil Perry , Phillip Ingram , Siedah Garrett /Engineer - Brian Malouf , Peter Müller /Engineer [Assistant] - Marvin Wolf , Tim Alban /Guitar - Jack Hues , Nick Feldman/ Guitar [Additional] - Dann Huff (track 02)/Keyboards - Jack Hues , Nick Feldman , Peter Wolf/ Lead Vocals - Jack Hues /Voice [Woman] - Siedah Garrett (track 03)/Voice [Man] - Michael McDonald (track 07)/Mastered By - Bernie Grundman /Mixed By, Recorded By - Brian Malouf /Photography - Simon Fowler /Producer, Arranged By, Synthesizer [Synclavier], Drums, Chorus - Peter Wolf/Recorded By [Assistant] - Jim Dineen/ Saxophone [Alto, Tenor] - Harry Sokal , Otmar Klein/ Saxophone [Baritone] - Herbert Graf /Saxophone [Soprano] - Harry Sokal /Trumpet - Hannes Kottek /Vocals, Bass - Nick Feldman /Written By - Peter Wolf (tracks: 1, 4, 7) , Wang Chung (tracks: 1 to 6, 8)
Tracklist:
01 Everybody Have Fun Tonight (4:47)
02 Hypnotize Me (4:42)
03 The Flat Horizon (4:49)
04 Betrayal (4:40)
05 Let's Go (4:30)
06 Eyes Of The Girl (4:50)
07 A Fool And His Money (4:44)
08 The World In Which We Live (7:04)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54955501/wc-mosaic_192_kbs.rar.html
"Sure, Michael Jackson, Culture Club and Wham sold more! But what song is more of an indictment of the decade than "Everybody Have Fun Tonight"?"
"Let me indulge readers in an alternative perspective of Wang Chung. The other reviews here seem to rubberband between worshipfulness and thrashing. How about a more reasonable, more objective view? I remember seeing the video for "Dance Hall Days" from their 1984 album "Points On The Curve" as my first exposure to Wang Chung. I was unaware at the time that they already had a previous album. In 1985, I was aware of "To Live And Die In L.A." and saw the video for the title track (and later the film by William Friedkin--The Exorcist, The French Connection). In October 1986, "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" was inescapable, and to a 13 year old kid like myself the video was unique and the song was infectious. "Let's Go" was the second single/video, and I was sold. I saw Jack and Nick at an in store signing at Sound Warehouse in Aurora, Colorado in March 1987. The third single, "Hypnotize Me" was also good, and was used in the film "Innerspace" with Dennis Quaid and Martin Short. All eight songs on Mosaic are well produced and arranged. If you didn't like the New Wave sound of the 1980s, then you probably won't like "Mosaic". I thoroughly enjoy the punk/New Wave sound, so 20 years later, I still enjoy "Mosaic". "A Fool And His Money" I think of as being the weakest track. Otherwise, "The Flat Horizon, "The World In Which We Live", "Betrayal" and "The Eyes Of The Girl" are all solid numbers. Unfortunately, "Mosaic" would prove to be the pinnacle of Wang Chung's career. In 1989, I was quick to buy their next album "The Warmer Side Of Cool", which may surpass "Mosaic" artistically. However, by 1989, many popular artists of the 1980s were being snubbed by radio and MTV/VH1, and so Wang Chung disappeared from view. I have "Strictly, Inc." with Jack Hues and Tony Banks (of Genesis) from 1995 which received no recognition. Then their Greatest Hits was released in 1997 with a new track "Space Junk" which I felt showed great promise, but there was to be no new album. In June 2005, after I thought they'd vanished into the annals of pop music history, Jack and Nick showed the world once more that they are trained experts at their craft when they performed on the television show "Hit Me Baby One More Time" covering Nelly's "Hot In Herre" with the precision of a surgeon. There was talk of a new Wang Chung album (which I'd snap up in a minute), but alas, a year has come and gone and no new album. And so those of us who appreciate Jack and Nick's vision have to deal with derision from anti-80's music snobs who are in no position to judge music they weren't old enough to experience the first time around or who were old enough, but preferred hair bands or the fledgling, underproduced rap music of the day. I give "Mosaic" four stars because I never felt Wang Chung were allowed to reach their true potential, but what they did leave behind is pure melodic New Wave/romanticism that no one seems capable of duplicating 20 years later. It was another time and another place 20 years ago, and while there is a new Neo-New Wave music crowd burgeoning, I haven't heard anything remotely similar to what Wang Chung were able to devise."
""Everybody Have Fun" and "Let's Go" are terrific pop songs, catchy and with a beat. I must've heard them (involuntarily) hundreds of times on my health club sound system over the years. They are quite good. "Hypnotize Me" and "Eyes of the Girl" are pretty good, too. The rest are dull and boring, and the last one, "World in Which We Live" is pretty awful."
"If your to buy one Wang Chung album make this your choice. Every song on this album are great to listen to from begining to end. This album contains alot of great instrumentation, and it's especially shown on the song "The Flat Horizon" which in my opinion is the greatest song off the cd. But all in all every song is great to listen to."
THE WARMER SIDE OF COOL (1989)
Credits:
Jack Hues - Guitars and Lead Vocals/Nick Feldman - Bass and Back-up Vocals/Peter Wolf - Keyboards/Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums on all tracks except: Michael Baird - Drums on "What's So Bad About Feeling Good?", "Logic And Love" and "Games Of Power",Brian Hitt - Drums on "Praying To A New God"/Mikal Reid - Guitar on "Games Of Power" and "Logic And Love"/Pete McCray - Guitar on "Logic And Love"/Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion on "The Warmer Side Of Cool" and "When Love Looks Back At You"/Bill Reichenbach - Trombone on "Swing"/Joe Pizzulo, Gary Falcone, Roger Freeland, Jeff Pescetto - Backing Vocals on "Tall Trees", "Big World", "What's So Bad About Feeling Good?", "Games Of Power" and "Logic And Love"/Darren Costin, Ina Wolf - Backing Vocals on "Praying To A New God"/Bill Clift, Allan Ryder, Peter Wolf - Tribal Vocals on "The Warmer Side Of Cool"/Jeremy Smith - Vocal Percussion on "Snakedance"
Produced and Arranged by Peter Wolf/Mixed by Jeremy Smith (Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8) /Engineered by Jeremy Smith / 2nd Engineer - Gonzalo "Bino" Espinoza (Tracks 2, 6, 9, 10, and 11 )/Engineered by Gonzalo "Bino" Espinoza / 2nd Engineer - Carlos Golliher
Tracklist:
01 Praying To A New God (3:58)
02 What's So Bad About Feeling Good? (4:12)
03 Snakedance (4:58)
04 Swing (4:29)
05 When Love Looks Back At You (4:51)
06 Games Of Power (4:53)
07 At The Speed Of Life (5:27)
08 The Warmer Side Of Cool (4:42)
09 Logic And Love (4:04)
10 Tall Trees In A Blue Sky (4:22)
11 Big World (6:12)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/55398299/warmer_192_kbs.rar.html
"Many groups from the primarily British 1980's New Wave Movement had their brief, albeit a little more than fifteen (15) minutes of fame before sliding off the musical radar screen.The London outfit Wang Chung were certainly no different, but they left a musical mark that has been overloked.Their 1984 album "Points On The Curve" was one of the landmark albums of any genre, any decade and certainly the band's most potent collection.After the sometimes brilliant and inconsistent group of tracks that was "Mosaic", Wang Chung released "The Warmer Side of Cool" in 1989.Their second LP since the departure of drummer Darrin Costin marks an improvement from "Mosaic" and a worthy rival to "Points" regarding the album's better creations.The presence of drummer Vinnie Colauita is the stabilizing force on the slithering "Snakedance" with it's heavy Moog bass and soaring synths and the punchy Rush like guitars employed by Jack Hues and his bass slapping sidekick Nick Feldman on the truth to be told "The Speed Of Life", highlighted by a wicked bass led tempo change,Colauita's crystal clear fills, and Hues mind altering lines "a stream of information,on a green letter screen, makes him feel in touch with the world,and sure of what it means".All of this written before the advent of the Internet which begs one to inquire as to whether Hues knew what was happening BEFORE it happened. The seamless sounding tones of Hues guitar give his rhytmic arrangements a distinctive sound on " When Love Looks Back At You" where Colauita uses the crown of his cymbals, off beat changes tempo, and drum rolls effectively, and "the title track where he adds heavy riffs in tandem with Feldman's heavy bass line and the matter of fact phrase " and to climb above the tree line is only for the fools".He also sprinkles in acoustic magic with the aformentioned ingredients on the stripped down, raw "Tall Trees In A Blue Sky" works where a sparingly used keyboards arrangement provides some fill to the basic approach."Games Of Power, Big World and Praying To A New God" are the weak links in the chain on "Warmer" compared to the offbeat charm of the big band inspired "Swing", but the well- crafted potency,lyrically and musically of the albums more sparkling moments make this an eyebrow raising effort almost worthy of four to five star status on those merits alone, but given some of the bumps in the road on this interesting musical journey, Wang Chung receive a VERY STRONG(3) star rating."
"Next to Mosaic, this would have to be Wang Chungs next best album. This album contains alot of great intrumentation from edgy guitars to carrying Keyboards and synths to an upbeat chorus. Its amazing that this album was Jack Hues and Nick Feldmans last full Wang Chung album. Love and Logic and Swing stand as my favorites off the album."
"A masterpiece of artistry, production and mixing. Peter Wolf's production and Jeremy Smith's mixes are nothing short of stunning. Extremely well crafted songs. Deep arrangements and sound textures married to burning lyrics and soaring vocals make this album one of my top 3 choices ever for power, emotion and sophistication. You can listen to it a hundred times and still find something else new in the mix. Meanwhile the guitar work and vocals go straight through your heart. Just great!! I wish this crew would do another, they are truly magic together."
"This is the cd for anyone who thought Wang Chung's musical repertoire solely consisted of songs like ,"Everybody Have Fun Tonight." A dramatic departure from their previous releases, this is truly an exceptional endeavor. Consisting of mesmerzing lyrics, commanding vocals and dynamic instrumentation, this release rivals "To Live and Die in LA" for its ingenious arrangements. Due to preconceived notions by the critics as to what Wang Chung's music should be, it faded into obscurity without much fanfare. "Warmer Side of Cool" is truly a musical gem that deserves a listen "
EVERYBODY WANG CHUNG TONIGHT- WANG CHUNG'S GREATEST HITS (1997)
Credits:
Mixed By - Brian Malouf (tracks: 4, 5, 12) , Jeremy Smith (2) (tracks: 6, 7,10,) /Producer - Chris Hughes (tracks: 1 to 3, 8) , Peter Wolf (tracks: 4 to 7, 10, 12) , Ross Cullum (tracks: 1 to 3, 8),Steve Jolley & Tony Swain (track 9),Rapino Brothers, The (track 14)
Tracklist:
01 Dance Hall Days (4:00)
02 Don't Let Go (4:21)
03 Don't Be My Enemy (4:21)
04 Hypnotize Me (4:39)
05 Let's Go (4:29)
06 Praying To A New God (3:57)
07 What' s So Bad About Feeling Good? (4:10)
08 Wait (4:23)
09 To Live And Die In L.A. (4:52)
10 Big World (6:14)
11 Fun Tonight: The Early Years (4:12)
12 Everybody Have Fun Tonight (4:46)
13 Space Junk (Wang Chung '97) (4:00)
14 Dance Hall Days (Flashing Back To Hapiness 7" Mix) (3:38)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54948121/wc-gh_192_kbs.rar.html
"I love this album. Wang Chung has a very 'typical 80s' sound and its very well summed up in this pop/rock album. The compilation is virtually complete. Its got all their classic and most memorable songs.IMHO, they should have included one song. Fire in the Twilight. Although never commercially released, this is the song they did for the Breakfast Club soundtrack. A very nice song and definitely worth looking up."
"Wang Chung is probably most known for their song "Everybody Have Fun Tonight", but they had another great dance song "Let's Go!" These two songs can really energize you, especially if you start singing and dancing to them. Both have a lot of bass, drums, fast tempo, and loud vocals, a sure-fire combination for an adrenaline rush. "Let's Go!" is a great song to start the day with, or to exercise with. "To Live and Die in L.A." is a softer song with a really nice beat. If you're looking for great party songs, "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and "Let's Go!" are two of the best. So let's go Wang Chung tonight!"
"a must for any wang chung fan. even if you've only heard the basic 'radio' play, this is a wonderful, sing along CD. don't wait - get it while you can!"
UK
Genre:
Electronic, Rock
Style:
New Wave, Synth-pop
Members:
Jack Hues, Darren Costin, Nick Feldman
VIDEO
"Dance Hall Days"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ernCPFVe8wU&mode=related&search=
Genre:
Electronic, Rock
Style:
New Wave, Synth-pop
Members:
Jack Hues, Darren Costin, Nick Feldman
VIDEO
"Dance Hall Days"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ernCPFVe8wU&mode=related&search=
HUANG CHUNG (1982)
Credits:
Bass, Percussion, Vocals - Nick De Spig/ Drums, Percussion, Vocals - Darwin /Engineer - Dave Bellotti , Nigel Mills , Stuart Henderson/Guitar, Lead Vocals, Piano - Jack Hues /Mastered By - Roger Bechirian /Producer - Rhett Davis (tracks: 01-05, 09 to 10) , Roger Bechirian (tracks: 06 to 08) /Saxophone, Percussion, Vocals - Hogg/Remix - Roger Bechirian (tracks 01,10)
Tracklist:
01 Ti-Na-Na
02 Hold Back The Tears
03 I Never Want To Love You In A Half Hearted Way
04 Straight From My Heart
05 Dancing
06 Chinese Girls
07 hy Do You Laugh
08 China
09 I Can't Sleep
10 Rising In The East
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54945044/huang_c_192_kbs.rar.html
"I'm not sure how far I want to go with this, but Wang Chung's first record isn't too bad in a sub-Midge Ure Ultravox sort of way. On this release they eschew synthetic rhythms and most keyboards and replace them with tasty saxophone. (A huang chung is a type of Chinese reed or wind instrument but I'll be darned if I can hear any such thing on this record, unless the particular saxophone in question happens to be Chinese-made.) Given their moniker, and the cover (a rather dour-looking bunch with fake names- -Darwin? Hogg?- -and the requisite silly hair that unfortunately renders them hard to take very seriously), and several song titles ('China', 'Chinese Girls', 'Rising In The East') you would think this would be an exotic sort of affair; as it is, it's rather mainstream. There's a lot of fretless bass, but the most 'Oriental' thing about HUANG CHUNG (the album) is that Huang Chung (the band) probably thinks it's Japan (the other band). Besides, they sneak in a love song called 'Ti Na Na' which is really 'Tir Na Nog', the mythic Celtic land of eternal youth or something. Tracks I like: 'Ti Na Na' (a dress-rehearsal for 'Dance Hall Days'); 'Dancing' ('and then your dead'!); 'China' (great drum sound, uh, Darwin). Tracks I don't like: well. . . .you figure it out, I'm busy tracing the band's travel itinerary."
"I saw this band in 1982 on a whim, when passing a local night club in Edinburgh, Scotland and saw a small advert in the window. Never having seen or heard of them before I can honestly say this was turning point in my life at the time (musically), as they were (and probably remain) one of the best bands I have ever seen and heard - in front of what could be no more than 100 people (up close and personal). At the time they had just released their new single 'China' and it blew me away. They played nearly every song from this album and a lot more (probably unreleased material and the like). However, it took me about six months to find a shop that sold the vinyl album at the time - must have been asking the wrong questions or something - but once I got my hands on it I nearly wore the groove through and then could not buy a replacement as it had been deleted from production!!!. CD players and the like meant that it took until 2 years ago before I was able to get a CD version - thanks Amazon and the internet. Like the other reviews on this I was disappointed in the manner of the CD production - very cheap and nasty both in sound and picture quality on the jewel box sleeve. I had expected better but there you go. Notwithstanding - this album is never off my playlist and even after 20 years I never tire of it. Crank up the volume, and if you ignore the analogue recording hiss in the background you will appreciate the forerunner to even greater things when they changed their name to Wang Chung."
"I consider this album to be the best debut album ever made. This was a platter that stood out in 1982, among the keyboards and analog synths, because it has a saxophone at the base of the songs. It's not as versatile as a keyboard, but it works. Be sure to listen to "China", "Chinese Girls", and "Why Do You Laugh".
"Sporting an unlikely looking (and unheard of)line-up of Jack Hues (lead vocal), Nick De Spig (Bass), Darren Darwin (Drums) & Hogg Robinson (sax), this is an energetic yet thoughtful post-punk offering. Partially inspired by the whole punk movement, the classically trained Hues combines the rocking 'Straight from my heart' & 'Rising in the East'with the likes of 'Ti-na-na' with it's subliminal oriental-sounding opening and the contemplative 'I can't sleep'For all the raw-energy of this album, you cannot fail to feel the innovation and creativity that shines through. With the occasional dreamy sound of fretless-bass in the background, use of echo, various bell&koto type sounds, you can feel temporarily transcended to some ethereal 'nether-world' only to be brought crashing back down to Earth with the likes of the up-tempo 'China' with it's uplifting tenor-sax.Produced by Roger Bechirian & Rhett Davies (previously worked with Roxy Music), this is an unusual but ultimately rewarding album combining different styles and techniques with an unmistakable honesty transmitted through Hues' vocals.The band metamorphised from Huang Chung to Wang Chung following this album and gained considerable commercial success."
DANCE HALL DAYS (remix) (1983)
Tracklist:
01 Dance Hall Days (Remix) (8:02)
02 There Is A Nation (3:37)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54925667/dance_hall_days_maks_1983.rar.html
Credits:
Bass, Percussion, Vocals - Nick De Spig/ Drums, Percussion, Vocals - Darwin /Engineer - Dave Bellotti , Nigel Mills , Stuart Henderson/Guitar, Lead Vocals, Piano - Jack Hues /Mastered By - Roger Bechirian /Producer - Rhett Davis (tracks: 01-05, 09 to 10) , Roger Bechirian (tracks: 06 to 08) /Saxophone, Percussion, Vocals - Hogg/Remix - Roger Bechirian (tracks 01,10)
Tracklist:
01 Ti-Na-Na
02 Hold Back The Tears
03 I Never Want To Love You In A Half Hearted Way
04 Straight From My Heart
05 Dancing
06 Chinese Girls
07 hy Do You Laugh
08 China
09 I Can't Sleep
10 Rising In The East
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54945044/huang_c_192_kbs.rar.html
"I'm not sure how far I want to go with this, but Wang Chung's first record isn't too bad in a sub-Midge Ure Ultravox sort of way. On this release they eschew synthetic rhythms and most keyboards and replace them with tasty saxophone. (A huang chung is a type of Chinese reed or wind instrument but I'll be darned if I can hear any such thing on this record, unless the particular saxophone in question happens to be Chinese-made.) Given their moniker, and the cover (a rather dour-looking bunch with fake names- -Darwin? Hogg?- -and the requisite silly hair that unfortunately renders them hard to take very seriously), and several song titles ('China', 'Chinese Girls', 'Rising In The East') you would think this would be an exotic sort of affair; as it is, it's rather mainstream. There's a lot of fretless bass, but the most 'Oriental' thing about HUANG CHUNG (the album) is that Huang Chung (the band) probably thinks it's Japan (the other band). Besides, they sneak in a love song called 'Ti Na Na' which is really 'Tir Na Nog', the mythic Celtic land of eternal youth or something. Tracks I like: 'Ti Na Na' (a dress-rehearsal for 'Dance Hall Days'); 'Dancing' ('and then your dead'!); 'China' (great drum sound, uh, Darwin). Tracks I don't like: well. . . .you figure it out, I'm busy tracing the band's travel itinerary."
"I saw this band in 1982 on a whim, when passing a local night club in Edinburgh, Scotland and saw a small advert in the window. Never having seen or heard of them before I can honestly say this was turning point in my life at the time (musically), as they were (and probably remain) one of the best bands I have ever seen and heard - in front of what could be no more than 100 people (up close and personal). At the time they had just released their new single 'China' and it blew me away. They played nearly every song from this album and a lot more (probably unreleased material and the like). However, it took me about six months to find a shop that sold the vinyl album at the time - must have been asking the wrong questions or something - but once I got my hands on it I nearly wore the groove through and then could not buy a replacement as it had been deleted from production!!!. CD players and the like meant that it took until 2 years ago before I was able to get a CD version - thanks Amazon and the internet. Like the other reviews on this I was disappointed in the manner of the CD production - very cheap and nasty both in sound and picture quality on the jewel box sleeve. I had expected better but there you go. Notwithstanding - this album is never off my playlist and even after 20 years I never tire of it. Crank up the volume, and if you ignore the analogue recording hiss in the background you will appreciate the forerunner to even greater things when they changed their name to Wang Chung."
"I consider this album to be the best debut album ever made. This was a platter that stood out in 1982, among the keyboards and analog synths, because it has a saxophone at the base of the songs. It's not as versatile as a keyboard, but it works. Be sure to listen to "China", "Chinese Girls", and "Why Do You Laugh".
"Sporting an unlikely looking (and unheard of)line-up of Jack Hues (lead vocal), Nick De Spig (Bass), Darren Darwin (Drums) & Hogg Robinson (sax), this is an energetic yet thoughtful post-punk offering. Partially inspired by the whole punk movement, the classically trained Hues combines the rocking 'Straight from my heart' & 'Rising in the East'with the likes of 'Ti-na-na' with it's subliminal oriental-sounding opening and the contemplative 'I can't sleep'For all the raw-energy of this album, you cannot fail to feel the innovation and creativity that shines through. With the occasional dreamy sound of fretless-bass in the background, use of echo, various bell&koto type sounds, you can feel temporarily transcended to some ethereal 'nether-world' only to be brought crashing back down to Earth with the likes of the up-tempo 'China' with it's uplifting tenor-sax.Produced by Roger Bechirian & Rhett Davies (previously worked with Roxy Music), this is an unusual but ultimately rewarding album combining different styles and techniques with an unmistakable honesty transmitted through Hues' vocals.The band metamorphised from Huang Chung to Wang Chung following this album and gained considerable commercial success."
DANCE HALL DAYS (remix) (1983)
Tracklist:
01 Dance Hall Days (Remix) (8:02)
02 There Is A Nation (3:37)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54925667/dance_hall_days_maks_1983.rar.html
POINTS ON THE CURVE (1983)
Credits:
Artwork By [Art Direction, Design] - Barney Bubbles/ Artwork By [Hard Tinting] - Ronn Spencer/ Bass - Nick Feldman /Drums, Percussion - Darren Costin /Engineer [Assistant] - Mark McGuire /Guitar - Jack Hues , Nick Feldman /Keyboards - Darren Costin , Jack Hues , Nick Feldman /Lead Vocals - Jack Hues /Mastered By [Original] - Greg Fulginiti/ Photography [Back Cover] - Paul Cox /Photography [Front Cover] - Brian Griffin/ Producer, Recorded By - Chris Hughes , Ross Cullum /Programmed By [Mc4] - Paul Ridout /Programmed By [Rhythm, Sequence, Computer] - Chris Hughes /Saxophone - Mel Collins /Vocals - Darren Costin , Nick Feldman/ Written By - Jack Hues , Nick Feldman (tracks: 2 to 4, 6, 10),Darren Costin (tracks :2,4),Burnand (track 1)
Tracklist:
01 Dance Hall Days (3:58)
02 Wait (4:22)
03 True Love (3:51)
04 The Waves (4:26)
05 Look At Me Now (4:36)
06 Don't Let Go (4:21)
07 Even If You Dream (4:08)
08 Don't Be My Enemy (4:24)
09 Devoted Friends (4:07)
10 Talk It Out (4:48)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54961806/points__192_kbs.rar.html
"This album has the mega hit "Dance Hall Days," which is right up there with "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" as the most recognizable Wang Chung track, Of course, "Dance Hall" is available on countless 80s compilations, so why buy this album? Well, if you like techno dance music with some retro 80s sound, you will enjoy Points on the Curve. The first half is the most retro-sounding and contains my favorite songs on the album. "Wait" is excellent; it is jumpy yet also quiet with quick and precise keyboards. In contrast, "True Love" has a full keyboard sound at the chorus with a powerful beat. "The Wave" is a pleasing, relaxing track while "Look at Me Now" really kicks!""Don't Let Go" is a nice retro-sounding dance number. "Even If You Dream" is good, although, lyrically, it is not the best. "Don't Be My Enemy" has the most soul with plenty of saxophone. "Devoted Friends" is an interesting ballad. The versus have a different sound as one note does not follow in a predictable way which really adds to the overall sound. It is not the typical ballad and this uniqueness makes me listen to it more closely. "Talk It Out" continues with the more unique, almost spooky, sound but is more jumpy; however, it is repetitive at the end. This album is very solid so, if all you know is "Dance Hall Days," give Points on the Curve a try."
"I actually saw this tour when they opened for The Cars in 1984. For the time this came out, it's really a display of technical genius. Computer music was still "analog", sequencers were primitive - the instuments were octagonal, pastel and had LED displays - and everyone had diagonal zippers on their clothes with Kanji charachters (oh, and only one glove on). I got this CD for a trip down memory lane and was quite impressed with the songwriting, the performances and the production. Yes, it has that "hit" Dance Hall Days, which is relatively lame compared to some of the other songs on here. The vocalist is strong and solid. The drummer is so precise I often wonder if it is indeed a computer playing most of the track. Of course, it does exhibit a dated sound by today's standard - lots of analog synths and definitely a British "new wave" aura surrounding it. The songwriting and production leave it able to still stand tall even today. Unfortunately, I couldn't give a flip for anything else this band has done - I found their other albums nearly intolerable - this one really sticks out and is likely the best you'll get from these guys."
"I loved this album when I first heard it in 1983. Hearing it today brings back all those great memories. Wang Chung was on the cutting edge of the 80's techno sound. The music from "Wait" was used in the movie "To Live and Die in LA". They also wrote a song by that name as well. They are an incredibly talented group of artists. I only wish we had heard more from them."
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Credits:
Artwork By [Art Direction, Design] - Barney Bubbles/ Artwork By [Hard Tinting] - Ronn Spencer/ Bass - Nick Feldman /Drums, Percussion - Darren Costin /Engineer [Assistant] - Mark McGuire /Guitar - Jack Hues , Nick Feldman /Keyboards - Darren Costin , Jack Hues , Nick Feldman /Lead Vocals - Jack Hues /Mastered By [Original] - Greg Fulginiti/ Photography [Back Cover] - Paul Cox /Photography [Front Cover] - Brian Griffin/ Producer, Recorded By - Chris Hughes , Ross Cullum /Programmed By [Mc4] - Paul Ridout /Programmed By [Rhythm, Sequence, Computer] - Chris Hughes /Saxophone - Mel Collins /Vocals - Darren Costin , Nick Feldman/ Written By - Jack Hues , Nick Feldman (tracks: 2 to 4, 6, 10),Darren Costin (tracks :2,4),Burnand (track 1)
Tracklist:
01 Dance Hall Days (3:58)
02 Wait (4:22)
03 True Love (3:51)
04 The Waves (4:26)
05 Look At Me Now (4:36)
06 Don't Let Go (4:21)
07 Even If You Dream (4:08)
08 Don't Be My Enemy (4:24)
09 Devoted Friends (4:07)
10 Talk It Out (4:48)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54961806/points__192_kbs.rar.html
"This album has the mega hit "Dance Hall Days," which is right up there with "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" as the most recognizable Wang Chung track, Of course, "Dance Hall" is available on countless 80s compilations, so why buy this album? Well, if you like techno dance music with some retro 80s sound, you will enjoy Points on the Curve. The first half is the most retro-sounding and contains my favorite songs on the album. "Wait" is excellent; it is jumpy yet also quiet with quick and precise keyboards. In contrast, "True Love" has a full keyboard sound at the chorus with a powerful beat. "The Wave" is a pleasing, relaxing track while "Look at Me Now" really kicks!""Don't Let Go" is a nice retro-sounding dance number. "Even If You Dream" is good, although, lyrically, it is not the best. "Don't Be My Enemy" has the most soul with plenty of saxophone. "Devoted Friends" is an interesting ballad. The versus have a different sound as one note does not follow in a predictable way which really adds to the overall sound. It is not the typical ballad and this uniqueness makes me listen to it more closely. "Talk It Out" continues with the more unique, almost spooky, sound but is more jumpy; however, it is repetitive at the end. This album is very solid so, if all you know is "Dance Hall Days," give Points on the Curve a try."
"I actually saw this tour when they opened for The Cars in 1984. For the time this came out, it's really a display of technical genius. Computer music was still "analog", sequencers were primitive - the instuments were octagonal, pastel and had LED displays - and everyone had diagonal zippers on their clothes with Kanji charachters (oh, and only one glove on). I got this CD for a trip down memory lane and was quite impressed with the songwriting, the performances and the production. Yes, it has that "hit" Dance Hall Days, which is relatively lame compared to some of the other songs on here. The vocalist is strong and solid. The drummer is so precise I often wonder if it is indeed a computer playing most of the track. Of course, it does exhibit a dated sound by today's standard - lots of analog synths and definitely a British "new wave" aura surrounding it. The songwriting and production leave it able to still stand tall even today. Unfortunately, I couldn't give a flip for anything else this band has done - I found their other albums nearly intolerable - this one really sticks out and is likely the best you'll get from these guys."
"I loved this album when I first heard it in 1983. Hearing it today brings back all those great memories. Wang Chung was on the cutting edge of the 80's techno sound. The music from "Wait" was used in the movie "To Live and Die in LA". They also wrote a song by that name as well. They are an incredibly talented group of artists. I only wish we had heard more from them."
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DON'T LET GO (Special Version) (1984)
Tracklist:
01 Don't Let Go (Special Version) (7:11)
02 Ornamental Elephant (3:57)
DON'T BE MY ENEMY / WAIT (12") (1984)
Tracklist:
01 Don't Be My Enemy (Extended Dance Remix) (8:58)
02 Wait (Extended Dance Remix) (8:18)
Remix - Stephen Lipson
Link to download the three Ep:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54953919/3_ep_1984_192_kbs.rar.html
Tracklist:
01 Don't Let Go (Special Version) (7:11)
02 Ornamental Elephant (3:57)
DON'T BE MY ENEMY / WAIT (12") (1984)
Tracklist:
01 Don't Be My Enemy (Extended Dance Remix) (8:58)
02 Wait (Extended Dance Remix) (8:18)
Remix - Stephen Lipson
Link to download the three Ep:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54953919/3_ep_1984_192_kbs.rar.html
WAIT (Remix) (1984)
Tracklist:
01 Wait (Remix)
Remix - Stephen Lipson
02 Dance Hall Days (U.S. Club Edit)
03 Dance Hall Days (Part 2)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/55981000/wait_.rar.html
Tracklist:
01 Wait (Remix)
Remix - Stephen Lipson
02 Dance Hall Days (U.S. Club Edit)
03 Dance Hall Days (Part 2)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/55981000/wait_.rar.html
TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A (1985) (SOUNDTRACK)
Credits:
Artwork By [Art Direction, Design] - Steve Gerdes /Artwork By [Graphic Design] - Pablo Ferro /Executive Producer - David Massey , John Kalodner /Mastered By [Original] - Greg Fulginiti/ Producer - Wang Chung (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 8),Chris Hughes , Ross Cullum (track 04) ,Steve Jolley & Tony Swain (track 01)/Producer [Assistant] - David Motion (track 03)/Engineer - Brad Davis (track 02)/Recorded By [Motion-rama] - David Motion /Written By, Other [Performed By] - Wang Chung
Notes:
Music from the motion picture "To Live And Die In L.A.". Tracks 01-04 are vocal,the rest are instrumental
Tracklist:
01 To Live And Die In L.A. (4:52)
02 Lullaby (4:40)
03 Wake Up, Stop Dreaming (4:36)
04 Wait (4:22)
05 City Of The Angels (9:16)
06 he Red Stare (3:10)
07 Black-Blue-White (2:20)
08 Every Big City (5:10)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54961190/wc-_to_live192_kbs.rar.html
Director William Friedkin knows a thing or two about innovative, genre-bending film scores. He commissioned edgy modern-jazz player Don Ellis for his classic The French Connection and reworked Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" into the haunting soundtrack for the blockbuster The Exorcist. But even veteran film buffs were surprised when Friedkin turned the scoring chores for his taut 1985 forgery-ring thriller To Live and Die in LA over to British pop stars Wang Chung. Though they're still best known for their perennial rock-of-the-'80s hits "Dancehall Days," "Everybody Have Fun Tonight," and "Let's Go," Friedkin's early admiration for the band's often underrated musicality paid off with a tense, rhythmic soundscape that crystallized the era and locale of the film. And, though synth-pop has gained ill repute as a cheesy 1980s cliché, this album ably proves that it could rise above its stereotype in dramatic fashion. The Jack Hues-sung title track was also a minor pop hit. --Jerry McCulley
"Director William Friedkin chose Wang Chung to score "To Live and Die in L.A." on the strength of the band's debut album "Points on the Curve". Wang Chung's techno rhythms, lush interludes, and ironic lyrics turned out to be the perfect sound for Friedkin's complex, cynical neo-noir masterpiece and one of the most evocative film soundtracks of the 1980s. This CD includes 4 vocal tracks and 4 instrumental tracks. The soundtrack kicks off with the film's title song "To Live and Die in L.A.". William Friedkin had asked Wang Chung not to use the movie's title in a song. But Jack Hues and Nick Feldman did it anyway, and the result is terrific. -And Friedkin liked it. The immediately recognizable percussive "clicking" of the second track, "Lullaby", was effective in heightening moments of relative silence in the film. "Wait"'s tentative, anxious rhythm and lyrics create palpable tension. This embodiment of the film's angst and unease may be its best vocal track. The first instrumental track, "City of Angels", is also the longest track at 9:17 minutes. "City of Angels" is an unforgettable composition for an unforgettable scene. Its energetic techno beat help make "To Live and Die in L.A."'s counterfeiting scene legendary. I mention "To Live and Die in L.A.", "Lullaby", "Wait", and "City of Angels" because they are the most evocative of the film's tone. It would have been nice if "Dance Hall Days" were included, since it is featured briefly in the film -and that's one reason I give this soundtrack 4 stars. This is good work by Wang Chung, without which one of the most memorable films of the 1980s would not have been as memorable. The soundtrack is invaluable to the film, but well worth listening to on its own."
"Music is top of the line in feeling and depth. Edgy lyrics support rolling melodies, and I would recommend this CD for anyone who enjoys 80's music."
"This soundtrack and movie together are Brilliant and well done. Wang Chung were made for doing this soundtrack. Each track on this album fits the film superbly. City of Angels and To Live and Die in LA are the best in my opinion, but all the other track fit greatly to. Even if your not a big fan of Wang Chung this cd contains songs almost everyone would enjoy."
"Like a few other people who have reviewed this CD, I am not a big fan of Wang Chung, and I am not a big fan of the movie (When I saw the movie during its original theatrical release, I was bored to tears. I cannot even remember the music as it was performed in the film). But this soundtrack is gorgeous in its own right. It is everything sythesized/electronic music can be --- in 1985 and NOW. The vocal selections, especially "Wait Up, Stop Dreaming," are excellent. The instrumentals should be declared classics. They are truly haunting. Yes, the sometimes heavy industrial tone may sound "dated" to some ears. But then again, much of what passes for electronic music today already sounds "dated." I do not know if this soundtrack was nominated for an Oscar, but the academy should be bold sometimes and ignore the overly lush junk like the music from Titanic or Pearl Harbor. The originality and depth of this soundtrack are what the Academy SHOULD look for"
WAKE UP, STOP DREAMING / BLACK-BLUE-WHITE 12" (1985)
Tracklist:
01 Wake Up, Stop Dreaming (LP Version) (4:36)
02 Wake Up, Stop Dreaming (Maxi Version) (5:46)
03 Black-Blue-White (2:20)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/55979875/wake_up__stop_dreaming.rar.html
Tracklist:
01 Wake Up, Stop Dreaming (LP Version) (4:36)
02 Wake Up, Stop Dreaming (Maxi Version) (5:46)
03 Black-Blue-White (2:20)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/55979875/wake_up__stop_dreaming.rar.html
EVERYBODY HAVE FUN TONIGHT 12" (1986)Tracklist:
01 Everybody Have Fun Tonight (12 Inches Of Fun) (6:45)
Remix - John "Jellybean" Benitez
02 Everybody Have Fun Tonight (Edit) (3:59)
03 Everybody Dub Tonight (6:02)
Remix - John "Jellybean" Benitez
04 Fun Tonight: The Early Years (4:12)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54926427/wc-everybody_maks.rar.html
MOSAIC (1986)
Credits:
Artwork By [Art Direction, Design] - Norman Moore /Backing Vocals - Ina Wolf , Joe Pizzulo , Julia Waters , Kevin Dorsey , Michael McDonald , Oren Waters , Phil Perry , Phillip Ingram , Siedah Garrett /Engineer - Brian Malouf , Peter Müller /Engineer [Assistant] - Marvin Wolf , Tim Alban /Guitar - Jack Hues , Nick Feldman/ Guitar [Additional] - Dann Huff (track 02)/Keyboards - Jack Hues , Nick Feldman , Peter Wolf/ Lead Vocals - Jack Hues /Voice [Woman] - Siedah Garrett (track 03)/Voice [Man] - Michael McDonald (track 07)/Mastered By - Bernie Grundman /Mixed By, Recorded By - Brian Malouf /Photography - Simon Fowler /Producer, Arranged By, Synthesizer [Synclavier], Drums, Chorus - Peter Wolf/Recorded By [Assistant] - Jim Dineen/ Saxophone [Alto, Tenor] - Harry Sokal , Otmar Klein/ Saxophone [Baritone] - Herbert Graf /Saxophone [Soprano] - Harry Sokal /Trumpet - Hannes Kottek /Vocals, Bass - Nick Feldman /Written By - Peter Wolf (tracks: 1, 4, 7) , Wang Chung (tracks: 1 to 6, 8)
Tracklist:
01 Everybody Have Fun Tonight (4:47)
02 Hypnotize Me (4:42)
03 The Flat Horizon (4:49)
04 Betrayal (4:40)
05 Let's Go (4:30)
06 Eyes Of The Girl (4:50)
07 A Fool And His Money (4:44)
08 The World In Which We Live (7:04)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54955501/wc-mosaic_192_kbs.rar.html
"Sure, Michael Jackson, Culture Club and Wham sold more! But what song is more of an indictment of the decade than "Everybody Have Fun Tonight"?"
"Let me indulge readers in an alternative perspective of Wang Chung. The other reviews here seem to rubberband between worshipfulness and thrashing. How about a more reasonable, more objective view? I remember seeing the video for "Dance Hall Days" from their 1984 album "Points On The Curve" as my first exposure to Wang Chung. I was unaware at the time that they already had a previous album. In 1985, I was aware of "To Live And Die In L.A." and saw the video for the title track (and later the film by William Friedkin--The Exorcist, The French Connection). In October 1986, "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" was inescapable, and to a 13 year old kid like myself the video was unique and the song was infectious. "Let's Go" was the second single/video, and I was sold. I saw Jack and Nick at an in store signing at Sound Warehouse in Aurora, Colorado in March 1987. The third single, "Hypnotize Me" was also good, and was used in the film "Innerspace" with Dennis Quaid and Martin Short. All eight songs on Mosaic are well produced and arranged. If you didn't like the New Wave sound of the 1980s, then you probably won't like "Mosaic". I thoroughly enjoy the punk/New Wave sound, so 20 years later, I still enjoy "Mosaic". "A Fool And His Money" I think of as being the weakest track. Otherwise, "The Flat Horizon, "The World In Which We Live", "Betrayal" and "The Eyes Of The Girl" are all solid numbers. Unfortunately, "Mosaic" would prove to be the pinnacle of Wang Chung's career. In 1989, I was quick to buy their next album "The Warmer Side Of Cool", which may surpass "Mosaic" artistically. However, by 1989, many popular artists of the 1980s were being snubbed by radio and MTV/VH1, and so Wang Chung disappeared from view. I have "Strictly, Inc." with Jack Hues and Tony Banks (of Genesis) from 1995 which received no recognition. Then their Greatest Hits was released in 1997 with a new track "Space Junk" which I felt showed great promise, but there was to be no new album. In June 2005, after I thought they'd vanished into the annals of pop music history, Jack and Nick showed the world once more that they are trained experts at their craft when they performed on the television show "Hit Me Baby One More Time" covering Nelly's "Hot In Herre" with the precision of a surgeon. There was talk of a new Wang Chung album (which I'd snap up in a minute), but alas, a year has come and gone and no new album. And so those of us who appreciate Jack and Nick's vision have to deal with derision from anti-80's music snobs who are in no position to judge music they weren't old enough to experience the first time around or who were old enough, but preferred hair bands or the fledgling, underproduced rap music of the day. I give "Mosaic" four stars because I never felt Wang Chung were allowed to reach their true potential, but what they did leave behind is pure melodic New Wave/romanticism that no one seems capable of duplicating 20 years later. It was another time and another place 20 years ago, and while there is a new Neo-New Wave music crowd burgeoning, I haven't heard anything remotely similar to what Wang Chung were able to devise."
""Everybody Have Fun" and "Let's Go" are terrific pop songs, catchy and with a beat. I must've heard them (involuntarily) hundreds of times on my health club sound system over the years. They are quite good. "Hypnotize Me" and "Eyes of the Girl" are pretty good, too. The rest are dull and boring, and the last one, "World in Which We Live" is pretty awful."
"If your to buy one Wang Chung album make this your choice. Every song on this album are great to listen to from begining to end. This album contains alot of great instrumentation, and it's especially shown on the song "The Flat Horizon" which in my opinion is the greatest song off the cd. But all in all every song is great to listen to."
THE WARMER SIDE OF COOL (1989)
Credits:
Jack Hues - Guitars and Lead Vocals/Nick Feldman - Bass and Back-up Vocals/Peter Wolf - Keyboards/Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums on all tracks except: Michael Baird - Drums on "What's So Bad About Feeling Good?", "Logic And Love" and "Games Of Power",Brian Hitt - Drums on "Praying To A New God"/Mikal Reid - Guitar on "Games Of Power" and "Logic And Love"/Pete McCray - Guitar on "Logic And Love"/Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion on "The Warmer Side Of Cool" and "When Love Looks Back At You"/Bill Reichenbach - Trombone on "Swing"/Joe Pizzulo, Gary Falcone, Roger Freeland, Jeff Pescetto - Backing Vocals on "Tall Trees", "Big World", "What's So Bad About Feeling Good?", "Games Of Power" and "Logic And Love"/Darren Costin, Ina Wolf - Backing Vocals on "Praying To A New God"/Bill Clift, Allan Ryder, Peter Wolf - Tribal Vocals on "The Warmer Side Of Cool"/Jeremy Smith - Vocal Percussion on "Snakedance"
Produced and Arranged by Peter Wolf/Mixed by Jeremy Smith (Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8) /Engineered by Jeremy Smith / 2nd Engineer - Gonzalo "Bino" Espinoza (Tracks 2, 6, 9, 10, and 11 )/Engineered by Gonzalo "Bino" Espinoza / 2nd Engineer - Carlos Golliher
Tracklist:
01 Praying To A New God (3:58)
02 What's So Bad About Feeling Good? (4:12)
03 Snakedance (4:58)
04 Swing (4:29)
05 When Love Looks Back At You (4:51)
06 Games Of Power (4:53)
07 At The Speed Of Life (5:27)
08 The Warmer Side Of Cool (4:42)
09 Logic And Love (4:04)
10 Tall Trees In A Blue Sky (4:22)
11 Big World (6:12)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/55398299/warmer_192_kbs.rar.html
"Many groups from the primarily British 1980's New Wave Movement had their brief, albeit a little more than fifteen (15) minutes of fame before sliding off the musical radar screen.The London outfit Wang Chung were certainly no different, but they left a musical mark that has been overloked.Their 1984 album "Points On The Curve" was one of the landmark albums of any genre, any decade and certainly the band's most potent collection.After the sometimes brilliant and inconsistent group of tracks that was "Mosaic", Wang Chung released "The Warmer Side of Cool" in 1989.Their second LP since the departure of drummer Darrin Costin marks an improvement from "Mosaic" and a worthy rival to "Points" regarding the album's better creations.The presence of drummer Vinnie Colauita is the stabilizing force on the slithering "Snakedance" with it's heavy Moog bass and soaring synths and the punchy Rush like guitars employed by Jack Hues and his bass slapping sidekick Nick Feldman on the truth to be told "The Speed Of Life", highlighted by a wicked bass led tempo change,Colauita's crystal clear fills, and Hues mind altering lines "a stream of information,on a green letter screen, makes him feel in touch with the world,and sure of what it means".All of this written before the advent of the Internet which begs one to inquire as to whether Hues knew what was happening BEFORE it happened. The seamless sounding tones of Hues guitar give his rhytmic arrangements a distinctive sound on " When Love Looks Back At You" where Colauita uses the crown of his cymbals, off beat changes tempo, and drum rolls effectively, and "the title track where he adds heavy riffs in tandem with Feldman's heavy bass line and the matter of fact phrase " and to climb above the tree line is only for the fools".He also sprinkles in acoustic magic with the aformentioned ingredients on the stripped down, raw "Tall Trees In A Blue Sky" works where a sparingly used keyboards arrangement provides some fill to the basic approach."Games Of Power, Big World and Praying To A New God" are the weak links in the chain on "Warmer" compared to the offbeat charm of the big band inspired "Swing", but the well- crafted potency,lyrically and musically of the albums more sparkling moments make this an eyebrow raising effort almost worthy of four to five star status on those merits alone, but given some of the bumps in the road on this interesting musical journey, Wang Chung receive a VERY STRONG(3) star rating."
"Next to Mosaic, this would have to be Wang Chungs next best album. This album contains alot of great intrumentation from edgy guitars to carrying Keyboards and synths to an upbeat chorus. Its amazing that this album was Jack Hues and Nick Feldmans last full Wang Chung album. Love and Logic and Swing stand as my favorites off the album."
"A masterpiece of artistry, production and mixing. Peter Wolf's production and Jeremy Smith's mixes are nothing short of stunning. Extremely well crafted songs. Deep arrangements and sound textures married to burning lyrics and soaring vocals make this album one of my top 3 choices ever for power, emotion and sophistication. You can listen to it a hundred times and still find something else new in the mix. Meanwhile the guitar work and vocals go straight through your heart. Just great!! I wish this crew would do another, they are truly magic together."
"This is the cd for anyone who thought Wang Chung's musical repertoire solely consisted of songs like ,"Everybody Have Fun Tonight." A dramatic departure from their previous releases, this is truly an exceptional endeavor. Consisting of mesmerzing lyrics, commanding vocals and dynamic instrumentation, this release rivals "To Live and Die in LA" for its ingenious arrangements. Due to preconceived notions by the critics as to what Wang Chung's music should be, it faded into obscurity without much fanfare. "Warmer Side of Cool" is truly a musical gem that deserves a listen "
EVERYBODY WANG CHUNG TONIGHT- WANG CHUNG'S GREATEST HITS (1997)
Credits:
Mixed By - Brian Malouf (tracks: 4, 5, 12) , Jeremy Smith (2) (tracks: 6, 7,10,) /Producer - Chris Hughes (tracks: 1 to 3, 8) , Peter Wolf (tracks: 4 to 7, 10, 12) , Ross Cullum (tracks: 1 to 3, 8),Steve Jolley & Tony Swain (track 9),Rapino Brothers, The (track 14)
Tracklist:
01 Dance Hall Days (4:00)
02 Don't Let Go (4:21)
03 Don't Be My Enemy (4:21)
04 Hypnotize Me (4:39)
05 Let's Go (4:29)
06 Praying To A New God (3:57)
07 What' s So Bad About Feeling Good? (4:10)
08 Wait (4:23)
09 To Live And Die In L.A. (4:52)
10 Big World (6:14)
11 Fun Tonight: The Early Years (4:12)
12 Everybody Have Fun Tonight (4:46)
13 Space Junk (Wang Chung '97) (4:00)
14 Dance Hall Days (Flashing Back To Hapiness 7" Mix) (3:38)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54948121/wc-gh_192_kbs.rar.html
"I love this album. Wang Chung has a very 'typical 80s' sound and its very well summed up in this pop/rock album. The compilation is virtually complete. Its got all their classic and most memorable songs.IMHO, they should have included one song. Fire in the Twilight. Although never commercially released, this is the song they did for the Breakfast Club soundtrack. A very nice song and definitely worth looking up."
"Wang Chung is probably most known for their song "Everybody Have Fun Tonight", but they had another great dance song "Let's Go!" These two songs can really energize you, especially if you start singing and dancing to them. Both have a lot of bass, drums, fast tempo, and loud vocals, a sure-fire combination for an adrenaline rush. "Let's Go!" is a great song to start the day with, or to exercise with. "To Live and Die in L.A." is a softer song with a really nice beat. If you're looking for great party songs, "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and "Let's Go!" are two of the best. So let's go Wang Chung tonight!"
"a must for any wang chung fan. even if you've only heard the basic 'radio' play, this is a wonderful, sing along CD. don't wait - get it while you can!"
THE REMIX COLLECTION
DISC 1.
01 Dance Hall Days (extended)
02 Wait (extended)
03 Don't Be My Enemy (extended)
04 Everybody Have Fun Tonight (extended)
05 Hypnotize Me (insomnia mix)
06 Dance Hall Days (12" version)
07 Don't Let Go (remix)
08 Let's Go (shep's remix)
09 Dance Hall Days (UK remix)
10 China (Extended)
11 Hold Back the Tears (7' Mix)
DISC 1.
01 Dance Hall Days (extended)
02 Wait (extended)
03 Don't Be My Enemy (extended)
04 Everybody Have Fun Tonight (extended)
05 Hypnotize Me (insomnia mix)
06 Dance Hall Days (12" version)
07 Don't Let Go (remix)
08 Let's Go (shep's remix)
09 Dance Hall Days (UK remix)
10 China (Extended)
11 Hold Back the Tears (7' Mix)
Links to doanload:
DISC 2.
01 Dance Hall Days [Flashing Back To Happiness 7'' Mix] 1997
02 Dance Hall Days [Flashing Back To Happiness 12'' Mix] 1997
03 Zero Gravity [Previously Unreleased] 1997
04 Fire In The Twilight (Single Mix)
05 Dance Hall Days-Revisited (12" Version Edit) '89
Remix - Mark Saunders
06 Dance Hall Days-Revisited (Dub Edit) '89
Remix - Mark Saunders
07 Dance Hall Days (spinbitch spy 1989 club remix mix edit no rap)
08 Dance Hall Days (Original Huang Chung Dance Mix)
09 Everybody Have Fun Tonight (Gershwin remix)
Here is one more missing song,ive just get it from Ataru- many thanks for it!
Let's Dub (6:10) Remixed by Shep Pettibone (from Let's Go! (12") 81986)
http://www.filesend.net/download.php?f=f1a1865c509d9032733089fffc2ee2f6
Biography:
The name Huang Chung literally translates from Chinese as "yellow bell", but refers to the standardized base pitch of ancient China. Early on the band summarized the definition as "perfect pitch" and later, on American Bandstand, which they claimed was the sound a guitar made.Originally called Huang Chung the band formed in 1979. The lineup consisted of vocalist/guitarist Jack Hues, bassist Nick Feldman and drummer Darren Costin. Hues originally met Feldman after answering Feldman's ad for a musician in the classifieds section of the weekly British music magazine, Melody Maker, in 1977.Soon afterwards, Hues and Feldman formed with Bud Merrick and the late Paul Hammond in late 1977/early 1978 as 'The Intellektuals'. In less than a year, the band split up, as Hues and Feldman joined up with future Wang Chung drummer Darren Costin, a
long with Leigh Gorman and Glenn Gregory, to form '57 Men'. This lineup lasted for less than a year as well.Huang Chung's self-titled debut album was released by Arista Records in 1982 after several singles, including the minor post-punk hit "Isn't It About Time We Were on TV". In 1983, after being dropped by Arista and signed to Geffen Records, they changed their name to Wang Chung (at Geffen's suggestion, to make pronunciation easier for English-speakers—consistent with the claim by VH1's Pop Up Video that they changed it because people kept calling them "Hung Chung") — and subsequently they released Points on the Curve, which yielded two major hits, "Don't Let Go" (#38 US) and "Dance Hall Days" (#16 US).
Director William Friedkin specifically sought out Wang Chung to score his 1985 film To Live and Die in L.A.. The resulting soundtrack is recognizable as their work, but largely eschews conventional pop song formulae for a more atmospheric and textured approach. The band also had a song "Fire in the Twilight" written for the 1985 John Hughes film The Breakfast Club - it is heard in the scene where the kids are led by John Bender down the halls trying to escape from Mr. Vernon (the late Paul Gleason).
In 1986, Costin left the band (and released an album "Here We Are" in 1987 under the name Heroes) while Hues and Feldman continued to record. The same year, they had their biggest hits: "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" (#2 US, featuring the oft-quoted lyric "Everybody Wang Chung tonight" and rated the third worst song ever by Blender magazine) and "Let's Go" (#9 US), both from the album Mosaic. "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" also has a well-remembered music video (directed by Godley & Creme) where virtually every frame featured a jump cut.They released their final album The Warmer Side of Cool in 1989, and disbanded in 1991.
Shortly after the breakup, Feldman joined with Jon Moss of Culture Club to form Promised Land. They released their self-titled debut album, and within a year, the band broke up. Realizing that maybe his time was past, Feldman quit playing music, and became the A&R manager for Warner Music UK Limited.
During the 1990s,Hues has done various soundtracks for films including The Guardian. He had a solo album, The Anatomy Lesson in the making which didn't see any light until he teamed up with Tony Banks of Genesis to make the album Strictly Inc.The late 1990s saw the return of Hues and Feldman with a greatest hits collection entitled Everybody Wang Chung Tonight: Wang Chung's Greatest Hits. Included on this CD was a new single, "Space Junk". Feldman and Hues also enjoyed a series of tour dates around America.In 2002, the band's song "Dance Hall Days" was used in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on Flash FM as well as in the pre-mission cameo when Lance Vance is waiting for Tommy on a dock before raiding a crack house on Prawn Island. In 2006, their song "Don't Let Go" was used in Vice City's prequel, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, again on Flash FM.
In June 2005, Hues and Feldman reunited as Wang Chung on the reality TV series Hit Me Baby One More Time, performing "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and a cover of "Hot in Herre" by Nelly.Shortly after, in postings at WangChung.com as well as the band's MySpace site, there was news of a new Wang Chung album being worked on by Hues and Feldman. In an e-mail response from Hues, he said, "We are shooting for a release around the March 2006 time frame and a tour in May. We are not sure who we are touring with yet, maybe Heaven 17 or Devo". Also on the band's MySpace, you can hear new clips such as "Hot In Herre" (The Nelly Cover) and a new song "I Was Abducted by the 80's"[citation needed].
Wang Chung are on the verge of signing a new publishing deal, and in turn also working to finish the new record. Rumor has it that live dates may also be on the table for 2007!(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wang_Chung_(band))
Biography:
The name Huang Chung literally translates from Chinese as "yellow bell", but refers to the standardized base pitch of ancient China. Early on the band summarized the definition as "perfect pitch" and later, on American Bandstand, which they claimed was the sound a guitar made.Originally called Huang Chung the band formed in 1979. The lineup consisted of vocalist/guitarist Jack Hues, bassist Nick Feldman and drummer Darren Costin. Hues originally met Feldman after answering Feldman's ad for a musician in the classifieds section of the weekly British music magazine, Melody Maker, in 1977.Soon afterwards, Hues and Feldman formed with Bud Merrick and the late Paul Hammond in late 1977/early 1978 as 'The Intellektuals'. In less than a year, the band split up, as Hues and Feldman joined up with future Wang Chung drummer Darren Costin, a
long with Leigh Gorman and Glenn Gregory, to form '57 Men'. This lineup lasted for less than a year as well.Huang Chung's self-titled debut album was released by Arista Records in 1982 after several singles, including the minor post-punk hit "Isn't It About Time We Were on TV". In 1983, after being dropped by Arista and signed to Geffen Records, they changed their name to Wang Chung (at Geffen's suggestion, to make pronunciation easier for English-speakers—consistent with the claim by VH1's Pop Up Video that they changed it because people kept calling them "Hung Chung") — and subsequently they released Points on the Curve, which yielded two major hits, "Don't Let Go" (#38 US) and "Dance Hall Days" (#16 US).Director William Friedkin specifically sought out Wang Chung to score his 1985 film To Live and Die in L.A.. The resulting soundtrack is recognizable as their work, but largely eschews conventional pop song formulae for a more atmospheric and textured approach. The band also had a song "Fire in the Twilight" written for the 1985 John Hughes film The Breakfast Club - it is heard in the scene where the kids are led by John Bender down the halls trying to escape from Mr. Vernon (the late Paul Gleason).
In 1986, Costin left the band (and released an album "Here We Are" in 1987 under the name Heroes) while Hues and Feldman continued to record. The same year, they had their biggest hits: "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" (#2 US, featuring the oft-quoted lyric "Everybody Wang Chung tonight" and rated the third worst song ever by Blender magazine) and "Let's Go" (#9 US), both from the album Mosaic. "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" also has a well-remembered music video (directed by Godley & Creme) where virtually every frame featured a jump cut.They released their final album The Warmer Side of Cool in 1989, and disbanded in 1991.
Shortly after the breakup, Feldman joined with Jon Moss of Culture Club to form Promised Land. They released their self-titled debut album, and within a year, the band broke up. Realizing that maybe his time was past, Feldman quit playing music, and became the A&R manager for Warner Music UK Limited.
During the 1990s,Hues has done various soundtracks for films including The Guardian. He had a solo album, The Anatomy Lesson in the making which didn't see any light until he teamed up with Tony Banks of Genesis to make the album Strictly Inc.The late 1990s saw the return of Hues and Feldman with a greatest hits collection entitled Everybody Wang Chung Tonight: Wang Chung's Greatest Hits. Included on this CD was a new single, "Space Junk". Feldman and Hues also enjoyed a series of tour dates around America.In 2002, the band's song "Dance Hall Days" was used in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on Flash FM as well as in the pre-mission cameo when Lance Vance is waiting for Tommy on a dock before raiding a crack house on Prawn Island. In 2006, their song "Don't Let Go" was used in Vice City's prequel, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, again on Flash FM.
In June 2005, Hues and Feldman reunited as Wang Chung on the reality TV series Hit Me Baby One More Time, performing "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and a cover of "Hot in Herre" by Nelly.Shortly after, in postings at WangChung.com as well as the band's MySpace site, there was news of a new Wang Chung album being worked on by Hues and Feldman. In an e-mail response from Hues, he said, "We are shooting for a release around the March 2006 time frame and a tour in May. We are not sure who we are touring with yet, maybe Heaven 17 or Devo". Also on the band's MySpace, you can hear new clips such as "Hot In Herre" (The Nelly Cover) and a new song "I Was Abducted by the 80's"[citation needed].
Wang Chung are on the verge of signing a new publishing deal, and in turn also working to finish the new record. Rumor has it that live dates may also be on the table for 2007!(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wang_Chung_(band))
ALBUMS
1982 Huang Chung (One Way)
1984 Points on the Curve (Geffen)
1985 To Live and Die in L.A. (Geffen)
1986 Mosaic (Geffen)
1989 The Warmer Side of Cool (Geffen)
1982 Huang Chung (One Way)
1984 Points on the Curve (Geffen)
1985 To Live and Die in L.A. (Geffen)
1986 Mosaic (Geffen)
1989 The Warmer Side of Cool (Geffen)
More info:
http://www.wangchung.com/ All info you need with extras!!
http://myspace.com/wangchungtheband
http://myspace.com/huangchung
http://myspace.com/thequartetband The jazz quartet of Jack Hues
http://www.lostidols.com/files/w/wang.html
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/w/wang+chung/ lyrics
http://www.banophernalia.com/reviews/music/artists_wang.htm
http://www.wangchung.com/ All info you need with extras!!
http://myspace.com/wangchungtheband
http://myspace.com/huangchung
http://myspace.com/thequartetband The jazz quartet of Jack Hues
http://www.lostidols.com/files/w/wang.html
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/w/wang+chung/ lyrics
http://www.banophernalia.com/reviews/music/artists_wang.htm
MESSAGE
If you like BAOBAB :
Ive just uploaded more pictures for that post, check it please:
posted by saltyka at 10:34 AM
18 Comments:
Oh my God, Salty (!)
It's incredible, amazing and...i have no words to THANK YOU.
You're AMAZING, my dear friend.
Best regards.
Komakino-Kate
SUPER - thank you
Saw them live in '84 opening for Simple Minds.
Wang Chung delivered a stunning set.
I dozed off during Simple Minds.
What more can I say!
awesome posts!!! hey, could you please reup the newest mark mulcahy album - in pursuit of your happiness? thanks*
Amazing Blog, just dled the Your Secret's Safe With Us compilation, which is great, i've been looking for it for ages, but unfortunately The Chameleons track is corrupt, would it be possible to get a re-up of just that track
I dont think a soundtrack fitted a movie better than this. I saw the film mainly as I was a fan of Willem Dafoe and William Friedkin. From the opening scene the music kicked in and I was lost in it. I have bought the soundtrack about 3 times always lending it to someone once they hear it. No one could believe it was the same people who brought us "Dance Hall Days". Thank you. Thank you
hello Kate and Pavelse and other friends!:)
it makes me happy that you like it! Thank you for your nice comments!
Here is the link for Noah :
The Chameleons - Here Today
http://www.mytempdir.com/2026318
enjoy!:)
Yes for mark mulcahy album - in pursuit of your happiness,you will find here with my next blog entry at the end of the week:)
greetings!
salty
Saltyka, I've been trying to download The Kane Gang's albums but no luck so far. Could you re-upload it, please? Many thanks in advance.
Thanks so much for sharing all the Wang Chung stuff. Most of it I didn't have on cd. If your able to get the Ornamental Elephant b side can you post that too?
Esta es la mejor banda que hé escuchado en la historia.
Es increible.
Gracias por compartir.
Thank for share this.!!
Thanks very very much Saltika i have found very important information in your blog,thanks really!! if you want become a friend of mine my msn and mail is plisskenn@hotmail.it thanks again!!
Many thanks Saltyka. I have been looking for Mosaic for ages as it has so many memories for me.
I had been looking for the orig Huang Chung cd for years...many thanks!
Saltyka you are great!!!!!
This has been and it is one of my favorite-ultra-favorite-most-beloved bands of all times.
You are doing such a great favor to all Wang Chung lovers.
If only more people were like you, this world would be much better.
Fatima
Hi Saltyka
Took some days to listen to all the Wang Chung music you posted...
Very good!
Know what? "Fire in the twilight" is in a weird state, just one stereo channel shows...
See you! Thanks!
Fatima
thank you so much
subir de nuevo The Remix please please please, soy fanatico de esta grupo, gracias.
Thank you for this article, really useful material.
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