A vinyl only journey through boogie, disco, jazz-funk, house and post-punk flavours from Ireland.
@JL_Razza: I’ve been collecting Irish records of all genres for many years. All of these 7inchs, 12inchs and albums are from my own collection. Because it’s a small island with a small population, records are harder to find. There were many great bands who just released a few records, did a few gigs and disappeared.
Often the vinyl run was 200-500 copies. I’m attempting here to weave these together with some newer music and with spoken word pieces also whilst keeping a nice flow. I’m playing with pitch control and wrong speeds too. Ireland is a country obsessed with music but outside of Ireland much of the house, disco, boogie, post-punk, jazz-funk, reggae and deviant pop stuff released on vinyl is unknown.
I hope this mix exposes the great talent of these artists. Please feel free to contact me for any ID’s @JL_Razza
MIXCLOUD
SOUNDCLOUD
TRACKLIST
Intro – A 1966 recording of Yeats poetry which I have used for many mixes in the past. This part was voiced by Sheila Manahan.
Scullion – “Oasis” This is from the 1986 album “Spin”. Scullion was formed in the mid 70’s by founding members Sonny Condell, Philip King, Greg Boland and Jimmy O Brien-Moran. Condell was also in the amazing group Tír na nÓg and Boland was in Stagalee who featured on my last Music is My Sanctuary mix in 2017.
Heart of Ice – “Delving Away” Instrumental mix Newry band Heart of Ice deliver a nice boogie instrumental that skips along nicely. They also went under the name of Luv Bug which many would remember as being on the showband/pop circuit in Ireland. This 1988 track however has a little more going for it and its available on an affordable 7 inch, the twelve is a little expensive.
Shush – “Love” A bit of Dublin jazz-funk recorded in Westland Studios in Dublin in 1987 and self released on 7 inch. They played Cork Jazz Festival in 1988.
Zarabanda – “On the Run” This Glasnevin/Ballymun band was originally the Stoker Band named after Bram Stoker. They only released two 7 inch singles on Vixen records and this is one of them. There’s a huge similarity to Paul Simon’s “Graceland” but this was recorded two years before it in 1984.
Pat Buckley & The Media – “Out of the Blues” Produced by Donal Lunny and Deke O Brien this 1987 killer track is off the album “Merciful Hour”. From Clonmel in Tipperary, this band released five 7 inch singles also.
The Conquerors – “Getting Out” This Galway band were mainly a covers band on the showband scene doing the Beatles, The Drifters and The Equals covers. The A side of this 7 inch single from 1982 is a cover of the Beatles “ Help” but the B-side “ Getting Out” is the one, a lovely reggae number. This was produced by Tony Maher in Greenfield Studios in Headford.
Gerry Moore – “Two Long Years” Dublin hero, Gerry Moore headed up the band Street Talk made up of members from Dublin, Arklow and Ballyshannon and was widely regarded as a very talented writer and performer. This is off the 1986 album “Street Talkin’” which unfortunately is now very hard to get for a good price. The album has a rock reggae edge and has many other killer tracks.
Scullion – “The Actor” Another one from this group, this time from their 1983 album “White Side of the Night”. Nicky Ryan produced this one after he finished working as sound engineer and manager of the mighty Clannad. Nicky went on to be Enyas long term manager, producer and sound engineer. He sadly passed away in 2025.
De Confidence – “Song for Luggi” (deneasa mix) This killer 1991 seven inch record from Cork got some radio airplay from Dave Fanning and John Peel. The cover folded out into a super cool diy poster. It was written by Anthony McCarthy and Dan Hallissey aka Crafty Dan with vocals from Neasa de Bearóid. They did a three city promotion tour in 1988 hitting the Triskel Cork city, The IFI in Dublin and Covent Garden in London but were never picked up – too much amazing music around I guess, competition was tough. Their live shows had spoken word, mime and projected images. They had many other cassettes and records, all self-released by McCarthy on his own Kings Union Records. Had the pleasure of meeting Anthony a few years back and talking music and culture for a few hours and he was kind enough to bring in this record and others with original covers. The other side has an American rapper on and he sounds great but he was actually a navy man that they found in Cobh as they couldn’t find a professional rapper.
No Shame – “Ship Ahoy” Engineered in Windmill Lane Studios by Brian Masterson this slice of heaven was released in 1986. It’s a reggae pop number with some lovely keyboard and sax action. With band members like Christy Columbus, Guilty Mick and Johnny Wango you can’t go wrong. The other side of the 7 inch, “Crimewatch” is not bad and is a song weirdly about Irelands main primetime crime show.
The Crack – “Listen” This was released on 7 inch single in 1981. The Crack were known as an AOR band and would be quite often compared to Wings. The A side “Go away” falls into that bracket. The B side “Listen” produced by Barry Devlin of the Horslips is my pick. A lovely simple instrumental with some killer solos and the soft voice singing “Liiiiiiisten” followed by the whispered voices saying “Listen, Listen, Listen”.
Real Mayonnaise – “Framework” This 1982 wave/synth destroyer from Cork was produced by Ger O Leary in Studio Fiona in Fermoy. This 7 inch which is now quite hard to find has a picture of a skull with headphones on the cover. Written by Skully, the guitarist and backed by Jerry Buckley on Bass and Dave Rudd on drums.
C’est Clave – “Programmed Romance” Produced by Bill Whelan whom many would know from Riverdance, this 7 inch was released on Tara Records in 1983. This one is the B side and is a very pleasant slice of poppy jazz-funk, love the female voiceover towards the end.
Trevor Herion – “Love Chains” A big one on the Balearic scene, this is the twelve inch version as opposed to the album version. Trevor was from Blackpool in Cork city and was involved in the 70s and 80s new wave scenes. In 1981 he formed a band called the Fallout Club with Bruce Woolley, Matthew Seligman and genius Thomas Dolby. Dolby who had chart hits and in 1985 was the producer of one of the greatest albums of all time, Prefab Sprout “Steve McQueen”, also arranged some of Herion’s 7 inch singles in 1982. Herion’s album “Beauty Life” was released on Island Records in 1983.
Van Morrison – “Coney Island” George Ivan “Van” Morrisson is responsible for so many great records. He is notably on David Mancuso’s Loft top records list with the 1968 album Astral Weeks and has so many more amazing records from R&B beginnings with the group Them, to his own solo albums like “Moondance”. This 1990 record hammers home the longevity of this artist who has shared the stage with artists like John Lee Hooker, BB King, Ray Charles, George Benson and Gregory Porter. The craic was good.
Decisions Decisions – “Long Time” Recorded at Slane Studio in Navan this 1982 seven inch release is sought after for the B side “Long Time”, it’s a laidback new wave /reggae track that gets the head nodding. This was their only release and was on SRS Records. The back cover gives the line up as Roger Latrine on keys, Stanley Foulbreath Jnr on guitar, bass and vocals, Legs Akimbo on drums and percussion, Johnny Stompanato on guitar, bass and vocals , Brad Sterling on vocals and Sydney Australia and B.B. Bodene on backing vocals!
Kissed Air – “Stripped and Marked” Kissed Air were a Belfast/Dublin band formed in 1982 featuring Cormac Tohill on vocals, Mark McCormack on drums, John Watt on guitar and synth and Norman Johnston on bass. They very nearly got a deal with The Beat’s Go Feet label but in the end didn’t acquire enough votes to satisfy the labels rules. So they set up their own label, Kabuki Records to release the material. This track is from a 1983 twelve inch release and is from side 2 and considerably pitched down to make it sound a bit rawer.
Jhalib – “Mysteries of the East” Jhalib was a percussionist from Belfast by the name of John Millar. This Eastern influenced instrumental is a twelve inch release on Virgin Records from 1992. Its 33rpm but I’m playing at 45rpm and pitched it down a bit.
T-Woc – “Ci-Vi” I’ve played with the speed on this one too as it fits nicer with my brain. It’s from a really nice 6 track album called “Pantangle” on Strangelove Music released in 2021 by Mick Donohoe aka T-Woc from Wicklow. Check the incredible artwork by Marius Houschyar.
U2 – “4th of July” The album “The Unforgettable Fire” released in 1984 was produced by Brian Eno. So many heroes involved in this album from Noel Kelehan who arranged the strings to Paul Barrett on the Fairlight CMI to Randy Ezratty Engineer and of course Anton Corbijn on the sleeve conception. This one is an instrumental and I think it still sounds really good. Not a fan of much of their music but we all have to admit they made some really good music too and had some fine moments.
Fish Go Deep – “Sown Seed” This is from the double album “What I Mean by Beautiful” which was my favourite release of 2023. So many dubby wonderful styles throughout from the duo Shane Johnson and Greg Dowling. Making records since 1994 they have had releases on Imperial Dub, i Records, Chez Music, Brique Rouge and Gourmet Recordings to name but a few. This double album is a must own and one to be played for years and years to come.
Mel Keane – “Finn’s Hymn” Back to Dublin now for this 2024 release from Mel Keane. The album “Airs” is a trip – I‘ve included tracks from this electronic dream on many mixes recently due to its stranger sound qualities. Mel also records as Frog of Earth and had an excellent release in 2021 which is now a sought after record. I included that one on my Strange Sounds From Ireland mix on Radio Otherway.
Micheál Mac Liammóir – Spoken word excerpt from the album “I Must Be Talking To My Friends” This is from 1966. Mac Liammóir was one of the leading young actors on the English stage and acted alongside Noël Coward. He co-founded the Gate Theatre in Dublin.
Elaine Howley – “To the Test” Hard to pick a track from this excellent 2022 release from Cork based Elaine Howley. The album is a product of an audio diary kept on a 4 track cassette machine through 2019 and 2020. It was Elaines first solo album and was mixed by Cathal MacGabhann of Altered Hours.
The Altered Hours – “Paper Roses” From Altered Hours self titled 2025 album. One of the best bands in Ireland right now are Cork based Altered Hours. Band members are Cathal MacGabhann, Elaine Howley, Nora Lewon and Patrick Cullen. These guys have played all over in venues like the Bataclan in Paris and Paradiso in Amsterdam and are destined for big things.
Niall Tóibín – excerpt from the 1978 live comedy album “Live and Kicking”. It was recorded live before audiences at the Embankment Tallaght and at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. Niall was a comedian and actor revered in Cork and all over Ireland. He also starred in many movies like Ryans Daughter, Eat the Peach and Veronica Guerin. He passed away age 89 in 2019.
Trá Pháidín – “Cé mo dhuine siúl sa hi-vis” 2023 vinyl release of the album “An 424” which cleverly uses the 424 bus route to Connemara and its timetable on the cover. The Bus Eireann colours are also used on the record centres which is the best touch ever. A superb live band that fuse jazz, folk, experimental vibes with Irish traditional flavours. This vinyl release was eagerly awaited for its cool arrangements and variety of instruments such as lap steel guitar, harp clarinet, fiddle, baritone sax, alto sax, flute and trumpet not forgetting double drummers.
Barry Ronan – “Ag Dó Beo Beathaíoch” This track is from the 1983 album “Tráth” on Gael-Linn. Barry hails from Cill Ronáin on the Aran Islands. The entire album was produced using the Fairlight Computer Music Instrument (CMI), which was one of the first samplers. Tony Maher, mentioned earlier, from the Conquerors produced the original version of this song in Greenfield Studios in Headford and Frankie Colohan also from the Conquerors played the guitar on it. Barry entered the song in the Pan Celtic Festival and came second. This was enough to be noticed by Bernard Harris from Gael Linn who asked Barry would he do a full album for them. What sets this album apart is that it’s in the Irish language and I don’t know of too many other acts that released this kind of style in the 80’s. Let me know if you do!
King – “Love and Pride” extended mix Paul King from Shantalla in Galway city headed up this Coventry band which was founded in 1983. King stood out with his mullet haircut and sprayed Doc Marten boots and they burst on to the scene in charts all over the World with “Love and Pride”. This twelve inch however is a 1984 US special release of “Love and Pride” with two cuts B-side the (Dub mix) and A-side the Extended mix which were perfectly crafted by producer Richard James Burgess. It was released on Epic and peaked at number 3 in the Irish music charts in 1985.
Sunshine – “If This is Free (I Don’t Wanna Be)” 1980 dancefloor destroyer 7 inch on Release Records. Very expensive now and difficult to find. Sunshine were a funk, soul, disco, pop group from Northern Ireland. A compilation of their tracks was released in 2024 by Allchival in Dublin and is available on vinyl with cool sleeve notes from John Byrne, the man behind much of the music knowledge on the Quare Groove compilation also on Allchival from years back.
Barbara Law – “Can You Read My Mind” Barbara Dixon was a singer and actress. She was part of the trio Maxi, Dick and Twink in Ireland in the 70’s. She then moved to Canada and married Peter Law. She released an album on John Luongos CBS associated Pavillion label. This is the 12 inch release with “Take All of Me” on the A side. A very nice mid tempo disco record with Luongo’s touch. I’m a big fan of John Luongo and if you don’t know him check out his many great remixes for everyone from Blancmange to Peter Godwin.
Eamon Gibney – “Pack Up Your Bags” (Instrumental) Another super 7 inch recorded at Windmill Lane studios in Dublin and produced by Bill Whelan. This 1979 Philly style slow disco number on Crashed Records is a real sweet one. Again unfortunately not many copies around and can be expensive.
Fish Go Deep feat. Rebecca Meagher – “Let’s Go Back” A 2001 twelve inch release on New York’s Chez Music. One of my favourites to hear on the dance floor, tight drums, great vocal and those brass swirls permeating the groove.
Puck Fair – “Paddy’s Green Shamrock Jungle” This track is off the 1987 album called “ Fair Play”. The house music influence creeping into a folky traditional structure is great to see. I love all the little sound effects throughout. The rest of the album is nothing like this track. This group was formed in New York in 1984 by Brian Dunning, Micheál Ó Domhnaill and Tommy Hayes.
The Host – “Walk on Love” A 1983 seven inch single release from ex members of Horslips Charles O Connor, Johnny Fean and Eamon Carr along with Peter Keenan and Chris Page. I love these rock records from that time that are actually dancefloor friendly (helped by a little pitch control!). This track was made after Fean and Carr both left the Zen Alligators – check next track.
Zen Alligators –“Who Can That Someone Be” Following the demise of Horslips in 1980, Johnny Fean and Eamon Carr formed this band with Philip Fay and Gary Eglington. They appealed to the powerpop sensibilities of the Dublin mod movement at the time and also had a fairly good following playing in large ballrooms and venues. I first heard this track on a cassette tape given to me by a Dublin mod at a scooter rally in the early 90s. Never knew who it was but the song stayed with me. This 1981 seven inch is on Spider Records and is very difficult to find a well priced decent copy. Nothing particularly underground about this, it’s just a brilliant catchy record full of energy.
Toy With Rhythm – “Junior Discovers Electricity” Quite rare 7 inch single on Lunar Records from 1983. A synth pop number which still rocks a dancefloor, as tested recently in the Blue Note, Galway. This Dublin band were around from 1981 to 1985 and were headed up by the distinct voice of Flo McSweeney. Cover art by creator of the famous Ché Guevara image, Jim Fitzpatrick.
Microdisney – “Everybody’s Dead” This band were made up of geniuses Cathal Coughlan and Seán O Hagan with various personnel dropping in and out. This track is from their first album in 1984 “Everybody is Fantastic” on Rough Trade. It starts off breezy and upbeat but you just know from the lyrics there is an underlying uneasiness and then it descends into sad but groovy darkness with some voiceovers. Could listen to this perfection over and over. There is so much that could be written about this band but just for the purposes of these notes go and check them out!
Jimmy McCarthy – “Miles of Eyes” This 1981 seven inch record from Cork is a nice folk rock number with a nice chorus “I’m so bored with the everyday” which resonates with us all sometimes. This one is on the famous Mulligan Records.
Eamon Kelly – “Stories From Ireland” This 1976 Spoken Word album preserves the words of the Kerry Seanchaí (Storyteller) with the very well known story “ The Umbrella”.
Clannad – “I See Red” Clannad from Donegal are my favourite Irish band. They’ve released everything from ambient to synth pop to Irish traditional. They broke many boundaries for Irish music and weren’t afraid to use other influences in their many albums. The introduction of the Prophet 5 and other synthesisers pushed the boundaries even further. It was thanks to the Germans who gave them standing ovations whenever they played there that they decided to turn professional in the early seventies. Later Clannad were to return to Germany to have their album “Crann Úll” engineered by the great Conny Plank in Connys Studios. This track released on Tara records in 1983 as a 7 inch single, was a staple on the Balearic scene. It was written by Jim Rafferty, brother of the great Gerry Rafferty of “Baker Street” fame.
Noel Kelehan – “Milkmaid” This track is from the 1970 CBS album “The Golden Heritage of Irish Music”. This album was a mix of original compositions and jazz interpretations of Irish folk tunes recorded at Eamonn Andrews Studio.
Jim Doherty Trio – “Exodus Main Theme” a nice chilled jazz number from the fairly rare album “Executive Suite” released in 1965 on Decca. Ray Charles was a fan of this Dublin trio. Love the album cover, typical sixties all looking serious in their three button mod suits.
The Bogey Boys –“Gunslinger” This one came out of County Meath in 1979 on the album “Friday Night”. For some reason these rock blues guys decided to do a reggae number in the middle of all the rock stuff. The result is great and the musicianship is outstanding. Check the solo! The album is on Chrysalis, home of Blondie, Funboy Three and Ian Dury.
Paul Angle – “Lady Leslie” Another 7 inch single you don’t see very often but it does pop up at record fairs occasionally. This was a 1982 release called “Drum Dance” but it’s the laidback and groovy “Lady Leslie” on the B side that is the choice here on this cool record from Dublin. Produced at Alto Studios and Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin.
Scullion – “Radio Song” Another track off the 1986 album “Spin” . Some lovely synth action and drum programming from Greg Boland on this one.
De Confidence – “Underground I must go” Some nice poetry from Cork boi, Anthony McCarthy. This was the B-side of “Dropout” on his self released 7 inch single on Kings Union Records in 1990. Love all the background effects.
Shaun Davey – “The Night Flight” This is the B side of 1978 released 7 inch “The Pride of the Herd”. For some reason the well known composer decided to fill the B side recreating flight sounds. Crazy great!
Jimmy McCarthy – “Cherry Blossom Blue” This is a B-side of a 1981 seven inch record released on Mulligan Records. Lovely reggae tinged with the distinctive Irish voice and tight arrangements. Shaun Davey from previous track produced this one. A real winner.
Noel Kelehan – “Spon Song” This is a good example of an Irish grail album that can cost three or four hundred euro to pick up an original copy. Always hoped to pick one up for a good price at a record fair but never did and had to settle for the 2024 re-issue on Outernational Sounds. It sounds great! The OG was released in 1979 and is an Irish jazz classic. Noel was a pianist, composer, arranger and conductor from Dublin and joining him on this album were bassist Frank Hess, drummer John Wadham, saxophonist Keith Donald and trumpeter Mike Nolan.
Fixity – “No Man Can Tell” From the 2019 album of the same name which was composed by Corkonian, Dan Walsh. This was an all-star line up of Emil Nerstrand (Tenor Sax, Flute), Kevin Terry (Guitar, Clarinet) Nils Andersson (Guitar), Philip Christie (Synthesizer and Organ), Declan O Shea (Bass), Neil Ó Loclainn (Bass, Flute), Cathal MacGabhann (Percussion), Dan Walsh (Drums and Cymbals) and engineered by Paddy Cullen from Altered Hours. One of their many great releases, this ones on Penske Recordings.
Frank Kelly – “Manhunt” This clip is off the album “Frankelly Speaking” in 1978. A much loved actor and writer Frank played Dr. Astro in Wanderley Wagon and his most famous role was Father Jack in the famous sitcom Father Ted. His first film role was in the Italian Job for a brief part of the opening sequence. He appeared in many shows including Remington Steele, the English soap Emmerdale and Irish soap Glenroe.
The Saturday Night Swindle – “Weak in the Knees” From the 1977 folky rocky album “The Saturday Night Swindle”. Another Irish grail album, this changes hands for a couple of hundred euro. Rosemary Taylor on Vocals, Piano and Keyboards with assistance from Mark Clinton and Alan Taylor and Terry Bourke covering vocals and guitar and engineered by Brian Masterson.
Cromwell – “Dawsons Funhouse” Cromwell were 70s Dublin blues rock quartet. This one is off the 1975 album “ At the Gallop” and is just for a bit of fun at the end of the mix is their recording of a pub and some comments overlaid here and there.
Clannad – “Scarlet Inside” From the 1984 album “Legend”. This album let the whole World know about Clannad and what amazing musicians they were. This was recently re-issued as a double pack with one record being completely made up of pieces that were lost for 40 years. The Masters were located at HTV and it was released close to their incredible final touring gig in the Royal Albert Hall in London on 30 October 2024.
Outro – A 1966 recording of Yeats poetry which I have used for many mixes in the past. This part was voiced by Sheila Manahan.