Thank You Germany Schallplatten & CDs

Review: The Advanced Cookbook Of Mr Selig And Kanzler Z was a short-lived experimental jazz act also known as Cookbook. They put out one EP and two albums, with this 12" being taken from the debut. It came in 1989 and German label the Zoo In You initially and has the vocals of Mr Selig on the A-side, and guitar by Wolfgang Bokelmann and words by Dieter Pougin on the flip. An original will cost you more than a night at the pub and even finding samples online can be hard. Rest assured it is future jazz that still sounds futuristic today.

Review: This is a remastered re-issue of a rare Canadian synthpop and wave LP from a peak moment in Montreal during the 1980s. Degrees Of Freedom was founded in 1984 but only released their eponymous album here four years later in 1988. Despite their early gestation period, the band commanded a rabid small fanbase, and this reissue comes through to prove it with an exclusive new poster collating the group's gig flyers over the years. A worthy reissue for an obscure yet no less beloved band, we can only guess their beautifully crude electropunk and cold synth balladry will continue to captivate present listeners.

Review: While hardly a "Holy Grail"all bar a few people didn't know it existed until recently, D.J Never Sleep's sole single, the private press gem 'Teorema', can certainly be described as "buried treasure". It was reportedly the work of some experienced Italian producers, though its' sound is all Spanish guitar solos, early house-meets-Latin freestyle beats, joyous Piano riffs and evocative female vocals, it is pure formative Balearic house. This Thank You reissue not only showcases the original EP's two leading mixes (track two here, the more chugging and synth bass-sporting rework, is the pick), but also a never-released, effects-laden 'Never Sleepy Beats' drum took, plus versions in Spanish (B1) and French (B2).

Review: A hard one to pigeonhole when it comes to genre, floating somewhere between Italo and synthpop, and originally released in Switzerland in 1985. Written by German pop group Hongkong Syndikat, both tracks on Ethereal Beat's 'Underboard' flaunt a hyper-distinct yet soothing sound, one which is hard to forget. 'Underboard' is a coolly paced downtempo number which builds up with layers of subtle percussion, lusciously adorned by heavy, saxy reedsmanship and mysterious vocal accents with no real message - 100% chill o'clock served on ice. 'Cedar Of Lebanon' picks up the tempo a notch, once again setting the scene for the reeds to shine as the catchy melody is presented; beautiful 80s instrumentalism from a golden age, and clearly not made in Ableton. The B-side features a respectful DJ tool style remix by contemporary producer Anatolian Weapons.

Review: The Artless Cuckoo label has done a fine job of showcasing the work of lesser-known German outfit Ghia his year by releasing an album of rediscovered 1980s recordings as well as a special 7". Now Thank You has put together this 12" package with three different versions of 'Don't Leave Me Alone.' The original dropped in 1987 and was an instant euro-pop classic. An OG copy on wax is tough to find these days so often fetches three figures. Soon as you hear the tune though you know why - it's effortlessly catchy with mounting tension and super creative vocals.

Review: The distinctive vocal sound of Shirley Giha aka. Ghia is both naive and infectious. Her only album Here I Am gets a reissue via Thank You, recalling the short-lived period in the spotlight enjoyed by the musician between 1987-88. Heavyweight city pop, new jack swing and slow-jam dreamers all combine in an almost oppressively 80s sound, while Ghia's vocals glide over each track elegantly and unprocessedly.

Review: Lol Hammond is a former member of Spiral Tribe and early live techno act The Drum Club who now makes music on his own as Wah Wah Planet. Back in 1990 is when he penned this fantastic five track Balearic house EP alongside Russell Crone and with female vocal contributions from Lucy Sian. It very much lay out an early blueprint for UK street soul and the opener on the A-side 'Jewel' explores a romantic theme with hooky pop lyrics. Things get more left of centre on the 'Love FXU' with three trips into a smoother sound world perfect for sun kissed island dancing and with influences ranging from early breakbeat and trip hop to elements of dancehall music.

Review: Sound Metaphors sub label Thank You continues to explore lesser known niche records from visionary artists of the 80s by revisiting this single from Jah Wobble. 'Blow Out' is a shoe-in for any Balearic set worth its salt, pairing boxy drum machine rhythms with wistful keys and some blue-eyed soul vocal turns for a meandering ride through prime mid-decade sonic territory. Bleepy where it counts, just a little dubby around the edges and smooth up top, it's a refined, long form cut which sounds great with a modern remaster. Backed with the instrumental version on the flip, it's a no-brainer for diggers who might have balked at paying top whack for an original 85 edition.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


If you're down with HiNRG sounds then this one is an absolute must for your record bag. Both sides of this reissued 12" are massive to say the least with power couple Pascal and Denise Languirand aka Lady D really making their mark. Here on 'Imagination' there are strong electro influences as well as some firing percussive action that pays homage to freestyle and Latin sounds that were big n the LA scene when it was first penned. The big one though is 'I'm Yours Tonight' which brings fresh energy to house and is a real grail these days.

Review: Founded in 1984 by the German duo Peter Mergener and Michael Weisser, Software is a mind-opening project in downtempo, cosmic travels. Featuring two carefully selected moments from the band's rich output, 'Sun-Beam' and 'Present Voice', German label Thank You have brought Software's patient, contemplative sound to the fore. The A-side sends listeners far out of orbit with a generous, ten minute long arpeggiated shower, growing elegantly and by gradients into something truly transcendent. The B-side is equally as otherworldly - flecked with eerie moments this track veers between Balearic bliss and an undercurrent of unease. A fantastic and beautifully remastered window into Software's soundworld.

Review: Much time has been spent marking the importance and excellence of some aspects of the Italian dance music story - think the 1980s Italo-disco movement, Baldelli's cosmic disco vibes, and the later Italo-house and Roman techno scenes - but there are still gaps in our knowledge. That's where this compilation from Dualismo Sound and Gabrielle Casiraghi comes in. Devoted to 'Italian dancefloor outsiders', it aims to educate us on some of the overlooked oddities recorded in Italy between 1987 and '94. It more than achieves its aims, delivering a mixture of proto-trance (Cy & Gy), Fairlight-powered instrumental synth-pop (Ubaldo Missoni), druggy Afro-cosmic throb-jobs (Teknoafro), sparkling "Worldbeat" (Bokaye), breakbeat-driven downtempo grooves (Nightmare Lodge), and impossible-to pigeonhole sonic insanity (Zen). A genuine 'must-check'.