This compilation is focused on library music of the 1980s (with one track from ‘78 and another from ‘90). It was a niche that I felt deserved it’s own mix(es), especially with how neglected it’s become in comparison to pre-80s library. I wanted to highlight the various beautiful, futuristic, interesting and/or simply fun uses of both analog and digital electronics of this era.
(images taken from the palmandlaser tumblr)
Part 1
8tracks -
https://8tracks.com/tinderboxofaheart/curios-from-the-background-vol-1-80s-music-librariesYoutube playlist [very close to complete]
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB0qm7266sOM9dbdYwzl5k0abQjp2NGqOPart 2
8tracks -
https://8tracks.com/tinderboxofaheart/curios-from-the-background-vol-3-80s-music-librariesYoutube playlist (sadly only half-complete)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB0qm7266sONfh3kYqbiVonvISifyC2id(The 8tracks mixes may not be available outside the US unfortunately; 8tracks’ availability has gone downhill)
~~~
I made sure to include both songs that felt distinctly 1980s (Geoff Bastow - “Cat Walk”, Robert Viger - “Champs Elysses 2”, etc.) and songs that felt truly futuristic (Alan Shearer - “Isis For Osiris”, Paul Williams’ breathtaking “Sunken Cathedral”, the Hawkshaw track “Crystal Vision”, etc.). I wasn’t interested in shoving the digital era music under a bin either, like so many other electronic-music mixes/websites tend to.
I wanted to show how both how charming and how prescient this music can be. After all, some of these songs naturally sound like ‘vaporwave’ before it existed, and it definitely has had an indirect yet noticeable influence on that phenomenon. Many collectors who came across these records I assume simply dismissed a lot of it as ‘typical corporate 80s cheese’, but I find there to often be much more to it than that. If you’re an open minded electronic/library music fan who doesn’t have much of a negative bias against 80s electronics, than I suggest giving this a listen.
This project became a labor of love, and is the product of tons of listening, searching, and most of all, editing. I made a few mistakes at first, but I think by this time, especially after Mr from LTM gave me some pointers, that I can feel proud of it.
~~~
I also must note this is actually a ‘subseries’ of my playlist series 'Curios From The Background’, which was a joint exploration of sorts into not just 80s library but the general umbrella of 'muzak’, library, lounge music, easy listening, etc. that has intrigued me for some years now; I’m considering posting the other 3 volumes here later even if they aren’t 100% library tracks, since they may appeal to some of you at LTM.
It’s kind of confusing, I know; if you have any questions regarding these projects, I’m sure I could answer them and explain further.
