The Rubens Room: El Records: In Camera [2LP]

Various Artists - The Rubens Room: El Records: In Camera [2LP]

Double LP version. Of all the independent record labels of the 1980s, el was the most singular and exciting. el only existed for a few short years and yet paradoxically -- given its modest commercial success -- was hugely influential. For writer Jonathan Coe, one of the label's many devotees, el was ''Britain's great musical secret.'' This ''best of'' compilation LP, curated by label supremo Mike Alway himself, reminds the world of the greatness of el. el was created in 1984 by Alway, a mercurial A&R; man for Cherry Red signing outstanding artists like Everything But the Girl, The Monochrome Set, and Felt. Alway briefly co-ran Blanco Y Negro (an offshoot of WEA) but was soon constrained by the conservativism of the commercial music sector and left to set up his own label. Alway's ''hands on'' approach was to take complete control of the philosophy of the label's releases and even the titles of songs in the manner of pop impresarios of the past. Alway became a curator, selecting, shaping and overseeing the records issued on el. He employed songwriters proficient in classical pop techniques such as Nicholas Currie (AKA Momus) and Philippe Auclair (AKA Louis Philippe) who issued their own records while writing, arranging and performing for other el artistes. Great musicians such as Simon Turner (AKA The King of Luxembourg), Dean 'Speedball' Brodrick, and producer Richard Preston completed the picture. el was critically acclaimed in the UK and popular in America and mainland Europe but in Japan had a profound effect, directly influencing the Shibuya-kei phenomenon that included Pizzicato Five, Kahimi Karie, and Cornelius. The Rubens Room accompanies the book Bright Young Things by Mark Goodall (Ventil) the first publication to tell the fascinating story of the music found on The Rubens Room. Mike Alway writes in his sleeve notes that ''el was the joy of my life. It was monumental.'' Featuring Louis Philippe, Anthony Adverse, The King of Luxembourg, Would-Be-Goods, Marden Hill, Bad Dream Fancy Dress, The Monochrome Set, Always, and Momus. 01. Louis Philippe - Anthony Bay 02. Louis Philippe - Like Nobody Do 03. Louis Philippe - Guess I'm Dumb 04. Louis Philippe - Touch Of Evil 05. Louis Philippe - If You're Missing Someone 06. Anthony Adverse - Now Listen 07. Anthony Adverse - Ulysses And The Siren 08. The King of Luxembourg - A Picture Of Dorian Gray 09. The King of Luxembourg - The Rubens Room 10. The King of Luxembourg - Smash Hit Wonder 11. Would-Be-Goods - The Camera Loves Me 12. Would-Be-Goods - Velasquez & I 13. Would-Be-Goods - Cecil Beaton's Scrapbook 14. Marden Hill - Curtain 15. Marden Hill - Oh Constance 16. Marden Hill - The Execution Of Emperor Maximillian 17. Bad Dream Fancy Dress - Choirboys Gas 18. Bad Dream Fancy Dress - Where Have All the Schoolboys Gone? 19. Bad Dream Fancy Dress - Lemon Tarts 20. The Monochrome Set - Jet Set Junta (Single Version) 21. Always - Thames Valley Leather Club 22. Always - Park Row 23. Momus - John The Baptist Jones 24. Momus - Paper Wraps Rock 25. Simon Fisher Turner - Umber Wastes