It’s hard to believe that Blue Monday, the track that cemented New Order’s transition from a post punk outfit to synth pop superheroes, turns 35 years old today, 7 March 1983.
Apparently influenced by tracks by Italo Disco outfit Klein + M.B.O. and Donna Summer, and lifting a vocal snippet (the choir-like ‘aaaahhhhs’) from Uranium by Kraftwerk, Blue Monday was unlike anything released at the time, or indeed since.
The distinctive intro, recorded on a Oberheim DMX drum machine, is arguably one of the most famous drum loops of all time, and earned the track the top spot in 909originals’ recent Incredible Intros countdown.
It’s also spawned a number of cover versions; this one, recorded for the BBC by a mysterious, masked outfit called Orkestra Obsolete, is one of the most novel, recorded entirely on instruments that would have been available back in the 1930s.
Happy birthday Blue Monday!
The weekend is upon us, so it's time for another helping of quality house music from the Long…
What’s 30-odd years between friends? Pioneering dance act Orbital recently re-released their seminal Green album,…
DJ and producer Leeroy Thornhill is perhaps best known for his time as a member…
Electronic artist Roman Flügel has made his debut on Erol Alkan's label, Phantasy Sound, with…
Chicago's newest live music venue, Outset, located on the outskirts of Lincoln Yards, is set…
Get your weekend off to the right start with another solid set of quality house music from…