Retro:Active 6 - Rare & Remixed

[cork]

Great news.

Keep us up to date with progress.

Well done & Happy St. Patricks Day.

[DJ Phoenix]

Alex: do you know how many will be in the series?

Keepin the 80s alive

[Alex Hush]

There is a very good chance this could be the last one. We work extremely hard to create a quality product that not only provides hard to find and rare mixes, but with liner notes from key individuals who helped make this musical era so important.
Our problem is the cost to license the tracks and manufacture the cds is constant while overall cd sales are declining.
All one has to do is check torrent sites and blogs and almost any cd is readily available.
A few blogs in particular have been brought to my attention recently. One with a 'fan' forum where people upload and share tracks. RA6 was one that was being shared. The owner was asked to remove the link. He stated that 'anyone can download tracks and make their own compilation so the links would not be removed'
It is 'fans' like this that are causing record labels and retailers to cease to exist.
It is like swimming against the tide. No matter how good a cd we make, there are always 'fans' that love retro so so so much they will be happy not to spend a dime.
'Fans' that have harddrives full of great retro tracks and compilations like RA, but have never purchased anything.

So I would love to say the series will go to 8-9-10 and beyond but the reality is it probably won't and it will not be the fault of the people who support this compilation and others on many labels, it will be the fault of the 'fan'.

[quote][i]Originally posted by DJ Phoenix[/i]
<br>Alex: do you know how many will be in the series?

Keepin the 80s alive
[/quote]

[DJ Phoenix]

Well, I can assure you that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the R&R series, and buy them ALL, I dont "d/l" anything like that, and wouldn't. I completely understand your logic, it's just a shame that it has to come to that, you know? I appreciate and thank you for all of your hard work, and I want you to know...that from MY perspective(view): you've done a great thing w/these discs. The People @ the clubs i use these in are excited beyond belief @ some of the mixes. That in itself, makes me a huge fan of yours. Not to mention, I love and listen to the cd's myself, when I'm not working.

I Hope there will be more, but if not, I will be thankful for the ones I have, and thankful for all you've done.


Good luck to you man, and hope #'s :#7/8/9/10 see the light of day.

Keepin the 80s alive

[Sean]

Unfortunately, technology has caught up with us and today's generation doesn't believe in buying cd's anymore. It's a shame because they will never own a product that they can really value, just a file. I like file sharing when the files are music that you just can't get or music that is not readily available on any digital format for a fair consumer price. If I obtain a song and it becomes available on cd format, I still buy it on cd when it is available. The mp3 or file has no real value to me except to tie me over until I can it on a cd format. I also use mp3's as a listening too to see if I like a song enough to buy the cd. The problem is I don't think the rest of public, excluding many of the collectors such as the people on this site, use mp3's in this way. This does kill the record industry and I totally understand where Alex is coming from. I really believe that cd's will only be available for another 3 years, maybe 5 years max. If that is true, that is really sad.

Anyways Alex, if this is the last one, let's make it the best one ever. Do you have a tentative tracklisting yet or are you still taking suggestions? Let's include the rarest of rarities if that is possible.

[Blakeh]

It does seem as if being a 'fan' (in many instances) excuses otherwise inexcusable behavior. Some people think just because they really, [i]really[/i] like something, they should be allowed to acquire it by whatever means available. I mean, after all, they're fans right? There seems to be a pervasive attitude that "hey, I've supported this genre of music for years, so what's the problem with taking a little something for myself? I deserve it. I'm a [i]fan[/i]."

I am probably the exception to the rule these days, but I don't consider myself just a fan of synthpop/new wave music, but also a collector of it. Downloading files is [b]not[/b] collecting. Sure, you may be able to hear the music (in a low-fidelity, lossy format) but at the end of the day it's just a bunch of ones and zeros.

I like the cover art, liner notes and the satisfaction of actually owning something that was produced in a finite run. There's no better feeling than winning that rare, out-of-print Propaganda 3" Japanese single off of eBay after searching it out for years. Sure, you could go and download the same three tracks that appear on the disc, but where's the thrill in that? Wow -- you now possess a file that has been downloaded by 10,000 other people. It just doesn't seem as satisfying. In my humble opinion by downloading that rare Propaganda single, you haven't "collected" it at all because all you really have is ether. A set of bits that can be duplicated ad infinitum.

I also believe that the death of hi-fi and the death of the music industry are inextricably bound. I am old school when it comes to listening to music. I've made a significant investment in speakers, mono block amps, cables and D/A converters so that I can listen to music as closely to the way it was recorded as possible. Trying to listen to an MP3 file on my main stereo system is akin to listening to a cat try to claw it's way up a three story blackboard. But, as iPods begin to be the primary music delivery system, the quality of music is not quite as important anymore. We've all talked about remastering that blows the dynamic range of the recording -- this is done because it sounds louder on an iPod. Nevermind that it makes the music nearly unlistenable on a hi-fi system.

I've only downloaded a handful of MP3s in my entire life because of the reasons listed above. I agree that the death of CD is around the corner, but I will be perfectly happy to buy 20-year old CDs of the bands I love and forget about anything new. I guess it's a good thing that 98% of the music released by bands these days is terrible. I'll be perfectly content to fill in my collection with "antique" CDs.

As far as the RA series is concerned, I have to say that it has been a breath of fresh air for those of us who like our music to be delivered on CD. I have a lot of vinyl 12" singles, but there's nothing like having the tracks remastered and put onto a CD with artwork and liner notes. It is a shame that Hi-Bias cannot turn enough of a profit to continue the series because the very people they are catering to (the "fans") choose to download the tracks rather than shell out a very reasonable $14 for a CD. Shame on them.

[Jeffrey]

To DJ Phoenix, Sean and Blakeh...Guys, all I can say is Amen!!!! You all put it so eloquently and expertly into the way I feel about this situation. I love the "Retro: Active - Rare & Remixed" series and will always support the music, the artists, Alex Hush and Hi-Bias Records by purchasing the discs when they come out. Music files don't hold the importance over something tangible that I can hold in my hand. There's no liner notes (digital booklets don't cut it) and the sound quality isn't as good than what you can get from well-produced/manufactured/remastered compact discs. The "zeroes and ones" format doesn't give me quite the same level of satisfaction that I have with the digital disc configuration. Sure, I download MP3's legally, but am sort of left cold by them. I'd rather have the real macoy for my collection. The "RR" series does that and so much more. It's been the best compilation series ever. Yeah, eat your heart out Rhino Records!!!


Jeffrey

[DJ Phoenix]

Im huge into the liner notes/art work, so im like you guys: when i can get it on hard copy(remastered hopefully), I will buy it, instead of "d/ling" it, as you said, wheres the fun in that? I, too, am oldschool, and try like heck to find so much music that I porbably already have, but I'm big into the extended mixes of songs, especially if they're "true to the originals". I don't mind paying for them, not at all. I will also trade some stuff that i have multiple copies of, for a commercial(store bought) master of something. I'd rather have it on hard copy, than in a file format. But, like my friends above said, if I have to d/l something b/c it's just not that easily obtainable...I will. Although, I will search for it for years if I have to, so i can enjoy the artwork/liner notes.

The R&R series is fantastic in that aspect, we get to see/feel how the producers/mixers/artists feel when remastering these gems. That to me is well worth the price of admission.

As far as the record industry itself: Its a catch 22 gang: the Labels were ripping fans off for years, with EXTREMELY high prices, eventually, the fans got tired of it, and decided to do soemthing about it. The labels, dont "get it" though, they continued churning out shitty band after shitty band, and bands who do "covers" of our favorites. They didnt lower the prices, they kept them the same, or even raised them abit to 'stick it to the fans"(us). The true fans, will buy it for many reasons, but if it's a shit product, they'll scram to find an alternative(which is what they've done). Its gotten way out of hand(downloading), and it hurst artists, but the labels(who have played innocent through it all), knew it, and refused to do something about it.

I agree totally that the CD format will be extinct in about 5 years, and I, too, will have no problems searching for and buying "20+ yr old cd's" to add to my collection. While I think all this latest and greatest technology is wonderful, I also think it's too much too fast, and we need to enjoy what wed have now.

Before, I used to look forward to the latest Blancmage or Camouflage releases, now, it's just shit music after shit music. Labels need to become more creative(include more video's or extended/"rare" mixes of songs) when releasing cd's. here's the key part: LISTEN TO THE FANS, AND WHAT WE WANT(not what you want). If we want stuff released, dont make excuses, try to do your best to release it. So many OOP bands/music out there from the 80s that will never see the light of day b/c the labels refuse to release it.

Just my 2 cents.

Keepin the 80s alive

[bigwavedave]

I agree wholeheartedly with most of the comments above, especially when it comes to owning actual cd's rather than files. I burn comps from my own cd library, but still most enjoy listening to something where I can actually look at the artwork while listening. As a matter of fact, I am listening to and looking at RA 6 as I write this.

To me, cd's are a great format compromise between the vinyl of old and the digital files of new, so yeah, I will also be picking up old cd's for many years to come too.

Maybe best of all, I love flipping through a physical library of music...often the cover art will remind me of a great album that's just begging to be played! All in all, I feel fortunate to have grown up in the cd age...it's nice to have an actual, physical new wave collection.

[obs]

[i]> There's no better feeling than winning that rare, out-of-print Propaganda 3" Japanese single off of eBay after searching it out for years.[/i]

Sure, there is. Finding it in person at a shop is much more rewarding than throwing all your money and selling your underwear to outbid someone on ebay for it.

[Alex Hush]

I have started on a list of tracks but am always open to suggestions.
Feel free to post any here


[quote][i]Originally posted by Sean[/i]
<br>Unfortunately, technology has caught up with us and today's generation doesn't believe in buying cd's anymore. It's a shame because they will never own a product that they can really value, just a file. I like file sharing when the files are music that you just can't get or music that is not readily available on any digital format for a fair consumer price. If I obtain a song and it becomes available on cd format, I still buy it on cd when it is available. The mp3 or file has no real value to me except to tie me over until I can it on a cd format. I also use mp3's as a listening too to see if I like a song enough to buy the cd. The problem is I don't think the rest of public, excluding many of the collectors such as the people on this site, use mp3's in this way. This does kill the record industry and I totally understand where Alex is coming from. I really believe that cd's will only be available for another 3 years, maybe 5 years max. If that is true, that is really sad.

Anyways Alex, if this is the last one, let's make it the best one ever. Do you have a tentative tracklisting yet or are you still taking suggestions? Let's include the rarest of rarities if that is possible.
[/quote]

[cork]

I think that the Retro Actice series deserves support. Apart from Thompson Twins, Cure, simple minds etc - I would have been unaware of most of the other bands.

Most 80s compilations are the same songs over & over.

The material on Retro Active series often new to me.

This is why I like this series.

I have not a clue on how to combat file sharing. But If the quality of a cd is kept up - people will buy it.

These cds are quality. People still like having a hard copy of a cd. ISP providers are becoming more careful with regards to facilitating copyright violations. Over here in Ireland - It was front page news last week.
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaki ... tml?via=me


Best of luck in compiling the cd - mixing well known tracks and lesser known tracks is a skill.

Finding tracks that are not avilable shows effort. (I am still trying for Minor Detail material after loosing my cassette tape years ago)

This series deserves support.

[cork]

What about Taja Sevelle - Love is Contagious?
Lita Ford "Kiss me deadly"

Instead of taking about Retro Active 7 - we should be talking about Retro Active 77.

I found an old Radiowaves forum here in Ireland about Songs you never hear on radio anymore.

http://www.radiowavesforum.com/rw/archi ... 10326.html

What about material that has become unavailable.

This is the strength of the Retro Active Series.

Again - It deserves support. When most 80s compilations are bland - the Retro Active Series is quality.