I'm sure most of you have heard of the time before the internet. Before the age of instant gratification via blogs, tweets, Facebooking, media sharing, and the like. In this time, underground bands and musicians communicated by the crudest of methods; ink and paper. And how did one get one's new bedroom project out to the masses? By the humblest of all mediums, the cassette tape. And lots of stamps. Here, we have a collection of artists you've never heard of, in a genre that might sound only vaguely familiar, thanks to it's sound being co-opted by Popular Music only a few years later. Minimal Wave, as defined by Minimal Wave (the label) owner Veronica Vasicka, is a re-definition of sorts; mixing elements derived from both the Synthwave, and French Coldwave movements of North America and Europe in the late 70's, and early 80's. The fourteen tracks represented here typify not only these sounds, but epitomize an era of true DIY ethos, musicians working with the drum machines and synths so typical of the era. Remember, this was the time before Midi; as musicians and Dj's now strive for analog tonality, acts like Linear Movement? and Das Kabinette? are doing everything possible to create a new, fresh sound, tape hiss and all.
Compiled by Vasicka and Dj/producer/crate-digger Peanut Butter Wolf?, Minimal Wave Tapes Volume 1 is a wonderful trip back through time, save the trappings of bullshit 80's nostalgia. This is the stuff that you weren't cool enough to hear back before The Human League had a hit single. Kudos to both Vasikca and PBW's Stones Throw Records for issuing this anthology. Can't wait for Volume 2.