Les Disques du Crépuscule

21/08/2024

Marine at MSN Belgique, courtesy of Etienne Tordoir. Link here:
https://www.msn.com/fr-be/actualite/other/marc-revoit-son-reflet-dans-50-nuances-de-marine/ar-AA1p2Szg?ocid=BingNewsSerp

16/08/2024

The new Interferences! Martel (Lot), France 08/2024

26/07/2024

Fresh off the boat! Remastered 5xCD edition of the classic 1981 post-punk album ‘Always Now’ by Section 25 on Factory Records (Fact 45) produced by Martin Hannett at Britannia Row. Original sleeve art by Peter Saville.

Bonus tracks include non-album singles, John Peel session, complete live concert from 1980, demo tracks, improvised cassette album Illuminus Illumina, second studio album The Key of Dreams, and a live jam with New Order.

“The rhythm-focused first album by Section 25 is a vital mid-point between the bass-driven side of PiL’s Metal Box and minimalist Joy Division workouts. A Krautrock-y spaciness brings trippy disorientation. Heard now, without the baggage, Always Now stands the test of time with aplomb” (Mojo magazine)

Further details here, including how to order. EU customers ordering before Sunday 28 July will have their copies dispatched promptly direct from our Netherlands office.

https://www.factorybenelux.com/always_now_fbn3_045cd.html

09/07/2024

Out now! Johnnie Johnson’s excellent Josef K biography published by Jawbone on 11 June. Lots of input from all four band members as well as unseen photos, and an introduction by Stewart Lee.

31/05/2024

Available now! The Durutti Column: A Life of Reilly by James Nice, 272 page deluxe hardback book with 80 photos and illustrations. ‘An excellent history’ says Mojo Magazine (July 2024 issue). You can order from Burning Shed via the following link:

https://burningshed.com/the-durutti-column_a-life-of-reilly_book

03/04/2024

We’re now on Bandcamp! Further titles will be added in due course.

23/03/2024

Delighted to announce that my authorised Durutti Column biography ‘The Life of Reilly’ is published on 17 May via Burning Shed. The blurb says it offers ‘a fascinating insight into the extraordinary relationship between Vini Reilly, Bruce Mitchell and band manager Tony Wilson, as well as the enduring cultural influence of the band’s peerless Factory catalogue.’

Who am I to argue? And there’s more! ‘The Life of Reilly includes candid input from Vini himself, as well as band and family members, and steadfast musical partner Bruce Mitchell.’ Add to that around 80 beautiful photos and images, including portraits by Mark Warner, Kevin Cummins and Philippe Carly, and overall design by Carl Glover.

As well as the standard deluxe hardback edition with quarter bound cloth spine, a limited edition of just 100 slipcased glasspaper copies signed by Vini and Bruce is also available - although probably not for much longer, since as I type 80 of these have already pre-sold.

Details here: https://burningshed.com/the-durutti-column_a-life-of-reilly_book

This project ended up being a 272-page labour of love for me, considerably delayed by lockdown restrictions, although the long gestation meant that I was able to track down and talk to lots of Vini and Durutti associates who I frankly never dreamed would open up. It’s an authorised biography, but also very candid, and I hope I’ve done all the principals justice.

A few people have asked if I am signing copies too, which I’m happy to do if you insist, so just PM me below or ping over an email.

Huge thanks to everyone involved in this long overdue but incredibly satisfying project, especially Vini, Bruce, Jacqueline, Carl, Michael, Pete and Tim.

06/03/2024

Nicolas Fransolet of Marine/Allez Allez recently shared a selection of gorgeous images of the latter band out and about in the early 1980s, flitting between Brussels and London by air and hovercraft. Anyone who’s ever been on tour - or even just a road trip - will find these carefree scenes super relatable. Just don’t look at the last one if you’re easily alarmed/aroused…

Link to full set here: https://nicolasfransolet.myportfolio.com/things-we-used-to-1

23/02/2024

we love ... and the group Marine !

discover their new album by the label Les Disques du Crépuscule today on agnès b. radio at 6pm: https://www.agnesb.eu/en/the-house/radio/

Les Disques du Crépuscule presents a unique anthology by artful Brussels garage funk band Marine, fondly remembered for their dazzling debut single Life In Reverse in 1981, and now back with a clutch of brand new studio tracks.

Snapped up instead by chic boutique label Les Disques du Crépuscule, Marine released their infectious debut single Life In Reverse in April 1981, attracting rave reviews in the Belgian and UK press, reaching the giddy heights of #6 on the NME indie chart, and even being invited to record a radio session for John Peel - a world first for a Belgian band.

Soon favourable comparisons were being drawn with The Pop Group, A Certain Ratio, Defunkt, James White and Fire Engines, some pundits even sensing a new Haircut 100. 'We're not a fashion band,' insisted Marc in UK rock weekly Sounds, 'and it’s not really dance music. But all the same I’m glad people dance to it.'

Four decades later, finally heeding desperate pleas from Crepuscule that his sensational first band never cut an album, Marc has written and recorded another 6 remarkably authentic sounding Marine songs with help from like-minded friends in Brussels and Paris, once more drawing on a heady mix of supercool funkabilly, jazz and soundtrack influences.

'It was an incredibly strange experience to revisit my past,' says Marc, 'but definitely fun. I’m glad, and I’m proud!'

11/02/2024

The return of Marine! Our new anthology ‘Same Beat’ (TWI 043) is out now on blue vinyl album as well as 17 track CD and digital. Six of these are brand new tracks recorded by Marc Desmare and friends, and you can look and listen at Bandcamp or on the following YouTube links:

Same Beat:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=cDHmb5G6nVo&feature=shared

Le Glissement Progressif du Plaisir
https://youtube.com/watch?v=-RUZ2CoRNl0&feature=shared

Stretto Bongo:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=f4gTXJKuyls&feature=shared

Full details of the album, and how you can order yourcopy, can be found at:

https://lesdisquesducrepuscule.com/marine_same_beat_twi043.html

13/01/2024

Fresh off the boat! Marine ‘Same Beat’ (TWI 043) anthology on CD and limited edition blue vinyl, including 6 brand new tracks.

“To call Marine a funk group would be but half the story. Blending the articulate, rhythmic groove of the JBs with the frenetic speed of punk, the band helmed passionate, intense music. With untouchable tracks like Live In Reverse, Animal In My Head and Same Beat this is a vital collection" (The Big Takeover)

“Fine, disciplined and gleeful rhythm workers - a happy, contagiously clean aural equivalent to a Serge Clerc cartoon” (NME)

Of the new recordings frontman Marc Marine explains: “It was an incredibly strange experience to revisit my past, but definitely fun. I’m glad, and I’m proud.”

Details here! https://lesdisquesducrepuscule.com/marine_same_beat_twi043.html

30/12/2023

Sam. 06.01.24 / 14-18:00
Finissage expo Rossicontemporary
+ présentation catalogue JF Octave /
Posters Plan K & other venues 1978-1983 /
Édition limitée 100 exemplaires signés (en collaboration avec OV Project)
ROSSICONTEMPORARY / Rivoli Building / La Bascule / BXL
Je serai présent de 15>17h
©jfoctave

20/11/2023

LDDC is delighted to announce a new anthology album by trailblazing Brussels garage funk band Marine, who promised to break big in 1981 with a string of dazzling singles on Crépuscule sleeved by Benoit Hennebert. Even better, mainman Marc Desmare has now cut 6 fabulous new tracks taking in funk, jazz and soundtrack influences, making this a must have in 2024 on 11 track blue vinyl and 17 track CD. Details here! https://lesdisquesducrepuscule.com/marine_same_beat_twi043.html

08/07/2023

Delighted and flattered to see/hear Future Perfect by Durutti Column from TWI 976 featured in S2 Ep 3 of The Bear. About 18 minutes in!

19/05/2023

Fresh off the boat! Extended CD edition of our popular Josef K singles and sessions collection (TWI 022). Details here https://lesdisquesducrepuscule.com/its_kinda_funny_twi022.html

25/03/2023

Fresh off the boat!

Sorry For Laughing is the legendary first album by cult Scottish guitar group Josef K, recorded for Postcard Records but destined to become one of the greatest 'lost albums' of the postpunk era.

Recorded at Edinburgh studio Castle Sound in November 1980, Sorry For Laughing was due to be issued as Postcard 81-1, only to be shelved after the band and label boss Alan Horne decided that the 12-song set sounded too polished. Perhaps two dozen white-label copies in unmade sleeves exist; a few have sold for high prices to collectors. Josef K went on to release their second pass at a debut album, The Only Fun In Town, in July 1981, only to split after completing a promotional tour.

This remastered vinyl-only edition replicates the original Robert Sharp artwork (a solarised portrait of the band atop Calton Hill, printed in a silver pantone), and features detailed sleeve notes on the inner bag. Album is pressed on clear vinyl. The package also includes a bonus CD, The TV Art Demos, featuring all 12 tracks from the band's first tentative recording sessions in 1979.

Tracklist:

Disc 1 (Sorry For Laughing vinyl LP)
A1. Fun 'n' Frenzy
A2. Heads Watch
A3. Drone
A4. Sense of Guilt
A5. Art of Things
A6. Crazy to Exist
B1. Citizens
B2. Variation of Scene
B3. Terry's Show Lies
B4. No Glory
B5. Endless Soul
B6. Sorry For Laughing

Disc 2 (The TV Art Demos CD)
1. Chance Meeting (Take 1)
2. Terry's Show Lies
3. No Glory
4. Final Request
5. Art of Things
6. Romance (Take 1)
7. Torn Mentor
8. Night Ritual
9. Heads Watch
10. Chance Meeting (Take 2)
11. Sense of Guilt
12. Romance (Take 2)

Details here: https://www.ltmrecordings.com/sorry_for_laughing_ltmlp2549.html

11/03/2023

Fresh off the boat! TWI 1258 is a 4CD boxed anthology of Erik Satie piano works associated with Dada, Cubism and Surrealism, as well as collaborations with Cocteau and Picasdo and his celebrated musique d’ameublement (furniture music).

Details here: https://lesdisquesducrepuscule.com/erik_satie_art_works_twi1258.html

13/02/2023

Fresh off the boat! Classic debut album ‘East and West’ by Anna Domino (TWI 187) returns on deep red vinyl, including bonus tracks and sleeve notes by Anna herself. We also have a limited number of black vinyl copies - please email for details. Album web page is here: https://lesdisquesducrepuscule.com/east_and_west_twi187.html

05/01/2023

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jan/05/alan-rankine-obituary

Inventive musician with the Associates, whose first hit, Party Fears Two, brought them commercial and critical success

17/12/2022

18. Various Artists – Ghosts of Christmas Past (TWI 158, 1981)

“That most improbable of things: a post-punk Christmas album, that features Aztec Camera doing a Django Reinhardt-inspired instrumental, a selection of Factory Records alumni and San Franciscan oddballs Tuxedomoon. The Durutti Column’s implausibly beautiful Snowflakes is a standout” (Alexis Petridis)

Full listing here:

Whether you fancy a heartwarming carol with Elvis or the story of a yuletide drug dealer from OutKast, there’s a festive album for you in our rundown of the best ever

15/12/2022

Winter Collection 2022/2023! Factory Benelux and Les Disques du Crépuscule are pleased to present a 40th anniversary edition of ‘Harmony’ by The Wake on 3xLP and 2xCD (FBN 29), deluxe CD box sets of Factory Classical and Erik Satie repertoire (FBN 276 and TWI 1258), and a remix/rework single of TWI 1236 track ‘$10 Heel’ by Ultramarine feat. Anna Domino on their own Real Soon imprint.

FBN 29 vinyl is shipping now, with the CD to follow next week. FBN 276 CD box should land in January 2023. Satie... sometime. The Ultramarine 12” is available now from their Bandcamp page at https://real-soon.bandcamp.com/album/10-rework

Factory Benelux will also be issuing 2 vinyl albums for Record Store Day in April 2023 (cryptic clue - artist initials are DC and MK), and 4 vinyl albums by Section 25 later in the year (Part-Primitiv, Nature + Degree, Retrofit and Dark Light). There will be a Durutti Column book also. And do come see James chatting to Stephen Morris and Steven Wilson at Rough Trade East and say hello on 10 February :)

17/08/2022

Label Vision #2
L'écosystème musical indépendant vu par des acteurs internationaux.

Le 14 septembre à 19 heures, la FLIF - Fédération des Labels Indépendants Francophones organise à Pepibru une nouvelle master classe .

On reçoit James Nice (UK - Factory Benelux et Les Disques du Crépuscule).

James nous racontera comment il gère l'héritage de Factory Benelux et Les Les Disques du Crépuscule, deux labels cultes des 80’s Pop DIY et Post-Punk à travers sa vision de curation autour des rééditions, objets inédits et nouveautés.

Sur réservation (places limitées) [email protected]

18/07/2022

Back in stock on 180 gm black vinyl! Classic album ‘The Only Fun In Town’ by influential Scottish postpunk legends Josef K, recorded in Brussels in April 1981, with second disc including Postcard singles and their John Peel Radio session. Double vinyl set in gatefold sleeve, matt varnish with metallic Pantone print.

"Josef K specialised in cerebral, nerve-jangling funk, like disco played by Franz Kafka (or Franz Ferdinand). They also had some of the best, most insidious guitar riffs ever, notably The Missionary and Revelation, although they could do mordant: see It's Kinda Funny. What's no laughing matter is this music's dour brilliance." (Classic Pop)

“Rarely has there been a better album opener than Fun n' Frenzy, a shimmering yet abrasive mix of Subway Sect dustbin lid guitar, No Wave twitchiness, a hint of psychedelia and a crooning vocalist intoning poetic, abstract lyrics that conveyed existential menace. Continuing with Revelation, Crazy to Exist and single tracks like Sorry for Laughing, The Only Fun In Town was an extraordinary achievement - eclipsed by the group's split. It remains an early 80s high point. Those who haven't heard it should; those who have might be tempted by this latest upgrade, which features remastered sound and different extras.” (Jon Savage, Mojo)

Details here! https://lesdisquesducrepuscule.com/the_only_fun_in_town_twi052cd.html

13/05/2022

09/03/2022

Fresh off the boat! TWI 1256 ‘Clinker’ collaboration now on digipack CD with bonus remixes by Gabe Gurnsey and UXB. Details here https://www.lesdisquesducrepuscule.com/clinker_twi1256.html

18/02/2022

Gina X Performance ‘Nice Mover + Vo**ur’ 2xCD (TWI 1249). Packshots by Anthony Kay

11/02/2022

GXTee! Gina X Performance ‘Nice Mover’ t-shirt now available. White and green screenprint on black shirt. Details here: https://www.lesdisquesducrepuscule.com/gina_x_nice_mover_twi1249t.html

11/01/2022

Fresh off the boat! 2xCD set features the classic electro wave albums Nice Mover and Vo**ur newly remastered by Zeus B. Held with bonus remixes including a brand new reboot by DJ Hell. Details here https://lesdisquesducrepuscule.com/gina_x_nice_mover_twi1249.html

10/01/2022

Our Crépuscule playlist (1981-2021) is now available to stream on Lyl Radio at https://lyl.live/episode/factory-records-and-les-disques-du-crepuscule-2

Or, for a limited period period we can send you a link to free MP3 versions of all the tracks featured. Just email us here: [email protected]

Enjoy! Below are the track by track notes - written in haste...

MARINE Life In Reverse (1981)
TWI 024, 7-inch single. Marine were a brilliant, energetic punk-funk band from Brussels, and this was the first really successful original single issue by LDDC. It did well in the indie charts in the UK, and the band were invited to record a BBC session for John Peel, only to split up in the studio. The singer Marc Desmarais formed a new version of Marine, and the rest of the band became Allez Allez. I only wish they had recorded an album before splitting. Too much too young! Marc makes films now.

THE DURUTTI COLUMN For Belgian Friends (1980)
FBN10, album track. The Durutti Column was the group that Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus originally founded Factory records to promote back in 1978. Vini Reilly and Crepuscule were always very close, and one of his best pieces, For Belgian Friends was written for Michel Duval and Annik Honore and Vini came to play at Plan K in 1980. It should have been on the From Brussels With Love cassette, the first true LDDC music project but that’s another story…

THICK PIGEON Subway (1982)
TWI 038, 7-inch single. Thick pigeon were a minimalist leftfield pop duo from New York featuring Stanton Miranda on vocals and Carter Burwell on instruments. Miranda was the partner of Michel Shamberg, who ran the Factory US office. Carter went on to become a prolific film soundtrack composer, including most of all of the Coen brothers movies. LDDC recently released a vinyl album compilation by the group, with this as the title track.

MIKADO Par Hasard (1982)
TWI 082, 12-inch single. Mikado were synthpop duo from Paris who became quite big in Japan. This single is a timeless classic, but didn’t break through at the time because of the language barrier. Whenever I DJ I play this. People form a polite queue to ask what it is.

BLAINE L. REININGER Mystery and Confusion (1983)
TWI 267, 7-inch remix single. This is an early solo single by Blaine Reininger of Tuxedomoon, written with Michael Belfer and recorded soon after Blaine took a leave of absence from the group in 1982. It’s a brilliant Bowie-esque pop song, mixed by Gareth Jones (Depeche Mode), and his Night Air album was a major influence in my moving to Brussels from the UK in 1987.

ANNA DOMINO Land of My Dreams (1984)
TWI 187, album track. Anna Domino is a singer songwriter from North America. She’s written many fantastic original songs, but this cover version of the Aretha Franklin classic is a minimalist gem which has been used in several movies and adverts. Fun fact: her brother Alan has directed episodes of The Sopranos, West Wing, Six Feet Under, Game of Thrones, Deadwood and Mad Men.

PAUL HAIG Ghost Rider (live in Japan 1985)
TWI 669 CD, bonus track. Paul Haig started out as the singer in Scottish postpunk band Josef K and his association with LDDC continues to the present day. We have just released a 4xCD box version of his 1985 album The Warp of Pure Fun, and this storming live cover of the Su***de song Ghostrider is one of the many bonus tracks. It was recorded during an LDDC package tour in Japan in May 1985 with Anna Domino, Wim Mertens, Blaine Reininger and Steven Brown.

CABARET VOLTAIRE Twanky Party (1988)
TWI 774, soundtrack album. Salvation! was a film lampooning TV evangelism in America, produced by Michel Shamberg which hardly anyone has ever seen. It’s more famous for the soundtrack, which featured original music by New Order, Cabaret Voltaire and Arthur Baker. I rank the Cabs tracks among their best work - shame the film was a dud.

THE NAMES + ISABELLE ANTENA Halloween In June (2009)
From the CD ‘After Twilight’ curated by Isabelle Antena. The Names were one of the very first Belgian groups to achieve some sort of international success, and recorded a single for Factory Records in 1980. This is a much later recording, but demonstrates that Michel Sordinia has written a lot of outstanding songs. I wouldn’t necessarily have expected The Names to perform a duet with his Isabelle Antena, but this song is really charming.

MARNIE The Hunter (2013)
TWI 1156, album and single. Helen Marnie is the singer in Ladytron. After they went on hiatus in 2011 she recorded a solo album, which LDDC picked up for physical release. Why? Because I’m a huge Ladytron fan! The Hunter is probably the best pop single I ever been involved in releasing, and Stephen Morris of New Order did a great remix for the single release. In truth The Hunter is pretty much a Ladytron track, written and produced by Helen with Daniel Hunt.

LES PANTIES L’Arrivee (2016)
TWI 1227, album track and single. Les Panties were a fantastic retro new wave band from Brussels, who we would have worked with further if they have not split up in 2015. The singer is Sophie Frison, who people in Belgium will recognise from television. Unfortunately their name was a problem outside French speaking territories - as I understand it, panties means tights or stockings in French. In English, it just means underpants. No glamour, no mystique. But a fantastic, super stylish group. Thanks to Fred Cotton for the introduction.

WHITE SEA Gangster No. 1 (2017)
TWI 1233, album track. White Sea is a solo artist called Morgan Kibby from Alaska, who played keyboards in M83 for several years. After she left the band she recorded the songs which we compiled together as the album Tropical Odds. Brilliant songs, brilliant arrangements, fantastic production and a beautiful voice. Probably an indie audience felt this was to mainstream for a label like LDDC, but I see it as a worthy successor to artists like Anna Domino. Plus there’s a real darkness to Morgan’s lyrics. Michel Duval really liked this album too. Morgan does a lot of soundtrack work now.

ULTRAMARINE Cross Reference (2019)
TWI 1236, album track. Ultramarine are an electronic listening music duo I brought to LDDC in 1988, and their signature album Every Man and Woman is a Star was originally recorded for the label in 1991. Rough Trade ended up releasing it… Our loss! Thankfully we made Signals Into Space with Ian and Paul in 2019 and this is one of the standout tracks. Actually Anna Domino sings on 3 tracks on SIS. Come on Anna – write a new record!

CAMPBELL / MALLINDER / BENGE Camouflage (2021)
TWI 1256, album track. This is an industrial music collaboration between Julie Campbell (aka LoneLady), Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire) and Benge (Wrangler/John Foxx). Julie is a great friend of the label and plays Isolation Ward in her DJ sets. Stephen recorded for LDDC while he was in Cabaret Voltaire in the 1980s and 1990s, so in some ways this new project brings us all full circle.

BUSCEMI ft. STEVE IGNORANT Who D’You Think You’re Talking To? (2021)
TWI 1250, album track. Buscemi is Dirk Swartenbroekx, the legendary Belgian DJ and remixer. This track is slightly unusual for him, in that it features former Crass vocalist Steve Ignorant rather than lounge or smooth bossa nova sounds. But I love the energy and aggression.

05/01/2022

Fresh off the boat! The classic lost 1984 album by Piscine et Charles (TWI 500) on forest green vinyl - details here https://www.lesdisquesducrepuscule.com/quart_de_tour_mon_amour_twi500.html