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Synthetic Woman (MR​-​012)

by Gay Cat Park

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1.
GCP 01:18
2.
3.
4.
5.
Mr. Do Re Mi 05:20
6.
Bit Of Charm 03:54
7.
8.
Television 05:37

about

As a monumental first time in the label's existence, Medical Records presents an LP of previously unreleased songs by an icon of Italo Disco and synthpop well known for their club-stomper "I'm A Vocoder". Gay Cat Park is an Italian duo consisting of Graziano G. Ravizza and Davide Gatti. At the tender age of 14 with an obsession for electronics and a dream, they crafted the hit "I'm A Vocoder" that was released as a single on Discotto Records in 1982. Using very primitive toy-like keyboards modified to makeshift synthesizers early on, this masterpiece and floor-stomper was a success. Though they recorded many other records in the studio with other artists under a variety of different names in the more popular vein, there were sadly no further releases in the style of Gay Cat Park or under that moniker. Working behind the scenes on their limited equipment, they wrote and developed many other tracks that would be best described as the true Gay Cat Park "sound". These tracks were home-recorded and not considered "commercial" enough in those times. Influenced heavily by Kraftwerk, Tomita, and Depeche Mode, Ravizza and Gatti layed these tracks down on standard UCXS Sony tapes or TEAC Tascam four tracks. These tracks have been unheard and stored until now. Medical Records took an interest in Gay Cat Park and requested to hear the potential early tracks. Needless to say, the tracks were astonishing and are presented now on this compilation of hand-picked tracks from that era. 8 tracks (including "I'm A Vocoder") were culled and restored from the original cassette tapes by Gay Cat Park. All tracks were recorded from 1982-1984. Overall, the LP has a very lovely DIY warm aesthetic. The opening track "GCP" is a simple yet nice ditty played on a Speak and Spell which sets the mood. "I'm a Vocoder" needs no introduction and is presented in it's original form. "Bit Of Charm" has a very Yaz-era Vince Clarke feel. "My Love Is Electronic" shows the wonderful lo-fi bedroom synth and drum programming that the duo is capable of. "A Bunch Of Flowers" is a dense analog synth drenched instrumental melody with catchy hooks and clever use of effects. The title track "Synthetic Woman" is a standout number sung through vocoder and is a perfect synthpop song raising the question of why it was a not a hit during it's creation. The LP perfectly walks the fine line between Italo disco and synthpop. Fans of early Depeche Mode, Yaz "Upstairs At Eric's", and the lighter synthier side of Italo disco will fall in love with this collection. This is essential. This is Gay Cat Park. Presented with unbridled enthusiasm on high-quality 160gram splatter vinyl in a limited edition of 650 hand-numbered copies. Includes special insert with liner notes by Dave Segal.

credits

released August 22, 2012

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about

Medical Records Seattle, Washington

Purveyors of minimal synth, cosmic disco, wave (cold/new), dream/gaze pop, and futuristic music

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