28 . 09 . 2005





Exclusive Manhattan Clique HL Remix - free download

Manhattan Clique have been responsible for some impressive remixes over the past few years since their first commercial mix for Madonna's producer Mirwais in 2001 and their CV is impressive including established acts such as Soft Cell, Erasure & Liberty X. In 2003 Manhattan Clique produced two Groove Collision mixes for another huge League fan - the delectable Sophie Ellis Bextor. 2005 has been MC's busiest year to date with mixes for a diverse number of acts that includes The Stereophonics who recently dabbled in electronics for the first time, Sweden's brilliant The Knife, Moby and Secrets Online faves Goldfrapp with an MC/Andy Bell mix of the Frapp's biggest hit to date: 'Ooh La La'.

Manhattan Clique are massive League fans and have produced three HL mixes, the so far unreleased mix of Shameless back in 2001 which was to be the follow-up to AIEW, a Fascination remix for 2003's 'Very Best Of' and the download we are presenting here for the very first time - the Groove Collision Remix of 'The Things That Dreams Are Made Of'.
With all the core Groove Collision beats and contemporary production, this mix will no doubt make a big impact on our download chart next month.

To download These Are The Things Groove Collision Mix, please click here. (File size: 5.59MB)

Legal Notice: This mix is provided for non-commercial use only to promote The Human League and is copyright protected by the holders Virgin EMI. Please avoid bootlegs (particularly those on Ebay) that include mixes from this site.
The original version of 'The Things Dreams Are Made Of' was written by Adrian Wright & can be found on Dare.

Please support the Human League and purchase official products pictured opposite.



Win Andy Bell promos!


Manhattan Clique have produced and co-written the new solo album by Erasure frontman Andy Bell and we think it's better than recent Erasure efforts. With an addictive analogue disco edge, album highlights include title track 'Electric Blue' with it's pounding 'Fischerspooner' bassline, 'Love Oneself' with vocals from Propaganda legend Claudia Brucken and the upbeat 'Shaking My Soul'.
'Electric Blue' is released on October 3rd on the Sanctuary label, and if the HL mix wasn't enough - Manhattan Clique have also provided us with several Andy Bell goodies to give away.
One lucky winner will recieve a promo of the new album that comes in a DVD case, a CD single featuring all the mixes including one by electro genius Vince Clark and a 12" white label of 'Crazy'!

To enter the comp, simply send your name & postal addy to us at opiumvisuals@f2s.com with the header Andy Bell (closing date: 07/10/05).


(With many thanks to Chris).

Manhattan Clique Official Site

Like the mixes? Let us know over at the Secrets Online Guestbook


Brasil fans meet the League


Earlier this year, Resident DJ Cris Maggio of Brasil's top electro club Projeto Autobahn sent us a passionate request asking if the League could drop by his club during a short PA in the country. We passed it on and last weekend, Philip, David, Neil, Nic & Rob kept a promise and popped in to the club to sign autographs whilst db did the DJ honours (despite forgetting his extensive Jean Michel Jarre record collection that includes 47 mixes of the classic Oxygen).
The band had a great time and Projeto Autobahn have now added all the pics online which can be viewed here.

(Image opposite: Neil & Nic and some of the regulars at Projecto Autobahn)

(With thanks to Cris Maggio)




25 . 09 . 2005

'Original Remixes & Rarities' - cover art revealed




Virgin have been in touch with Secrets Online and have kindly sent us the final cover art for 'Original Remixes & Rarities'.

The new sleeve (pictured right) is a slightly different image from the iconic Secrets photo sessions originally photographed by Paul Cox and digitally retouched by Bernard Ryan of Peacock Design back in 2001, (the silver sticker can be peeled off).
For a close-up view of the new cover click on the image opposite.
Our contact at Virgin was initially unsure as to whether this latest League release had been remastered but after giving the promo a few spins - to my ears it all sounds sonically enhanced and very loud which leads me to believe that it has all been remastered or at least tweaked.

I ran a little test comparing the remastered 'Electric Dreams' extended mix on the 2003 re-issue of the 'Oakey & Moroder' album quickly followed by the 'Original Remixes' version - both are identical in sound quality.
One thing I did notice with 'Life On Your Own' towards the end of the mix was extra surface noise that sounds like vinyl crackles & pops though none of these 'imperfections' are enough to distract you (these effects may have been added to mix during production). Will be interesting to hear if the US remaster of Hysteria has a cleaner version of this mix.

I may sound very biased but this is a bloomin' marvelous compilation especially when you consider how low the retail price is!


(with thanks to Hik)

'Original Remixes & Rarities' is released on November 7th priced £6.99 and you can pre-order a copy here.

Coming shortly: Andy Bell/Goldfrapp collaborators Manhattan Clique with an exclusive never-before-heard Human League remix for readers of this site. Whilst we wait for our P2 computer to fully warm up, check out Manhattan Clique's official website here.


South American Adventures of The Human League - (Continue sentindo) Fascinação

The League are currently in Brazil to play a few dates, DJ and soak up the sun before the start of the UK tour. Technical AKA db posted an update to the forum about last night's gig:

Hi
Well that was a fantastic night, large crowd and well up for it.
The guys running the video screens did a great job and we had lasers and fog it was very prog rock. I'm hoping that the video guys recorded the show for me so I can put some clips on for you to view.
A big thanks to Marcos, Crisi and Junior at Project Autobahn for looking after Philip and me at the club and making us feel very welcome.
My dj spot was a little unusual, I'd asked what was generally played there and was told 80s stuff and they named the usual groups, I got there and it was upbeat 4 on the floor remixes which was the opposite to what I'd brought but got stuck in and didn't clear the floor too much.
I think the guys from the club will be putting some pictures up soon so keep looking at autobahn.com.br

Grand Prix fever is at an all time high today we were promised tickets but that's not happened.

db

David has also uploaded video footage taken in Brazil and you can view it by clicking here (requires Quicktime).

Secrets Online recommends...


Enhance your life with the following albums:

Ladytron: Witching Hour


'Destroy Everything You Touch' is quite possibly the finest single that Ladytron have ever released with it's distorted synths, gorgeously seductive female vocals and catchy hooks similar to New Order's 'True Faith'. Infact the single should have been huge having been picked up by the BBC for various programmes such as 'Football Focus' etc.

'Witching Hour' is the Tron's third studio album and it promises to be a real gem when released on October 3rd - click here to pre-order a copy.

www.ladytron.com

Depeche Mode: Playing The Angel

Whilst 'Precious' may be a radio friendly nod back to classic melodic Mode, 'A Pain That I'm Used To' (which is expected to be the second single remixed by Goldfrapp) is a full-on wall of sound stadium pleaser that could almost be a missing track from the 'Violator' and 'Songs of Faith & Devotion' recording sessions.
Definitely one for those who love Violator's 'Halo'.
Winter is approaching but 'Playing The Angel' which is released on October 17th will get us through it despite the really bizarre album cover.

Pre-order your copy of the LTD Edition here.

www.depechemode.com


orac contact: secretsonline@f2s.com

18 . 09 . 2005

Original Remixes gets new title & tracklisting





David Beevers has confirmed in the forum that Virgin's forthcoming League compilation has been changed which explains why the release has now been put back until November.

Now titled 'Original Remixes & Rarities', several changes have been made to the tracklisting currently listed on Amazon and other online traders. One track that has now been added that will delight many is the inclusion of 'Mirror Man' B-Side: 'You Remind Me Of Gold' which makes it to CD for the very first time.

The newly revised tracklisting contains the following League delights:




1. Being Boiled (Travelogue Version) 4'17
2. The Sound Of The Crowd (Complete) 6'29
3. Hard Times (Love Action B-Side) 5'05
4. Non-stop (Open Your Heart B-Side) 4'15
5. Don't You Want Me Ext. Dance Mix 7'31
6. Mirror Man Extended 4'20
7. You Remind Me Of Gold (Mirror Man B-Side) 3'36
8. (Keep Feeling) Fascination Improvisation 6'10
9. Total Panic (Fascination B-Side) 3'29
10. The Lebanon Extended 5'51
11. Life On Your Own Extended 5'46
12. Electric Dreams Extended 6'20
13. Human Extended 5'04
14. Heart Like A Wheel Extended 6'49






(with thanks to db - image of League at Ipswich 04 kindly provided by Marcel Meulstee)

16 . 09 . 2005




I Love You Too Much  (EMP Loved Up Mix) - free download!





Finally after one or two teething problems, Secrets Online is delighted to present this absolute corker of a mix from EMP who have given Hysteria's finest album track 'I Love You Too Much' a pumped up urgency that is hard to resist.
All the great bits from the original & superior Martin Rushent version (that first appeared on the Fascination EP) are still present but EMP have gone a bit further adding a new electro bridge leading into the chorus which is one of their finest touches yet in our opinion.
Lots of spooky Cybermen-like voice effects added to a loop of Philip repeating the words 'love you' - it's 7.02 minutes of groovy electro brilliance!



EMP have been busy of late producing mixes for other artists including the new Uniting Nations feat. Laura More single 'Ai No Corrida' (SonyBMG/Gut Records). The remixes are currently doing the rounds in clubs and the single should get a proper release next month . EMP are also doing production work for the lovely Javine who has previously worked for Richard X so keep an eye out for those.

(EMP would like to thank Dan Elliot for supplying the Dub Mix of the track to work with)


To download the EMP mix of I Love U 2 Much (file size: 10.5 MB) simply click here.

If you liked the EMP mix then speak your brain tank and maybe even suggest a future track by dropping EMP a line here or leave a a few words on our guestbook.

Legal notice: This mix is provided for non-commercial use only to promote The Human League and is copyright protected by the holders Virgin EMI.
The original version of 'I Love You Too Much' was written by Ian Burden, Jo Callis & Philip Adrian Wright. The remastered US version of Hysteria with extra tracks including b-sides and original mixes can be purchased here.

Please support the Human League by purchasing official releases pictured opposite.





Quite a few things going on behind the scenes that includes one or two competitions to coincide with the 'Synth City' tour so don't stray too far out into cyberspace.




orac contact: secretsonline@f2s.com

07. 09. 2005

Latest Top 10 HL Remix Download Chart





August has proved to be a very busy month for the site in terms of visits and downloads of our exclusive mixes. We notched up 26738 visits (862 per day) last month according to our wonderful hosts F2s.

The Visitor extends his hold on the top spot of our chart and has now had almost 5,000 downloads since going live on Secrets Online nine weeks ago making it the most successful mix we've ever hosted. Jon AKA The Visitor is delighted that so many are grabbing his 'Human Remains' and we are already twisting his arm into doing a brand new League mix so watch this space. Jon has also just completed his official website which features magazine interviews and personal snaps including when he DJ'ed at Neil Tennant's 50th birthday last year. You can reach the site here.
EMP enter the chart at number 2 with the foot tapping Unity Mix of 'Electric Dreams' and the remix collective have this week began work on a new Secrets Online mix having just completed projects for a few of the major UK labels. Details of the new mix will appear here shortly.


(Image kindly supplied by Marcel Meulstee)

Tracks highlighted in blue are still available and the download figures represent stats from August 5th - 31st including those from Afront's excellent website The Pansentient League (where you can grab all the mixes from numbers 5 - 10).

01 (1): Human Remains (The Visitor) - 2810 downloads / official website / email Jon
02 (-): Electric Dreams (EMP Unity Mix) - 2162 downloads
03 (3): Seconds (Audacity Coup D'Etat Extended Remix) - 1307 downloads
04: (4) Shameless (EMP Shamelessly Euphoric Remix) - 1116 downloads
05 (2): I Don't Depend on You (EMP vs The Men) - 797 downloads
06 (5): Dance Like A Star (Afront Rebeats) - 742 downloads
07 (6): Being Boiled (EMP Blind Revenge Mix) - 650 downloads
08 (-): Open Your Heart (Afront's Complete) - 479 downloads
09 (-): My Song (Afront's Dome Mix) - 349 downloads
10 (8): Do or Die (2004 Audacity Mix) - 344 downloads

H17 'Before After' winner!


Congratulations to Makoto Tajima of Japan who wins a copy of the new Heaven 17 album, Ninthwave will be sending out your prize very shortly.
'Before After' get's it's long awaited UK release on October 3rd on the back of some great reviews including one in this month's Mojo magazine and you can pre-order a copy here.

Original Mixes Delayed

The new compilation which brings together all the Virgin era mixes for the first time has now been put back to the 7th November.
Amazon have also dropped the price of 'Original Mixes' from £11.99 to £6.99 so everyone who has pre-ordered it via this site will now get it a lot cheaper. Fantastic!

In the meantime, Afront has written a great preview of this forthcoming release over at The Pansentient League.



The Mighty Boosh


The second series of the BBC's *finest* comedy in recent years may have just ended on BBC-3 but the Beeb have released the entire first series on DVD.
This inventive show is a mixture of The League of Gentlemen and The Goodies with a few elements of Mr Benn (best children's TV series ever) thrown in for good measure.
In possibly the finest episode entitled 'Electro', glam rock junkie Vince Noir (pictured right with the great hair) tries to convince fellow zoo worker and lover of jazz Howard Moon that The Human League invented music (which is true isn't it??).


Vince then tries to break into the world of electropop when approached by the band ‘Kraftwork Orange’ but the 'spirit of jazz' has other ideas.

I'm addicted to The Mighty Boosh and you should all order a copy here.


Related sites: The Mighty Boosh Official Site
BBC-3 Site

Do you like the Secret Online mixes and what track should we throw at EMP next? Looking forward to the League's Synth City 2005 tour? Tell us what you think by speaking your brains over at the Secrets Online guestbook here.

orac contact: secretsonline@f2s.com

Best album of 2005!



Difficult third album syndrome? Pah! Goldfrapp follow up the welcome electro sleaze of 2003's best album 'Black Cherry' with something even better.
We really urge you all to snap up a copy of Goldfrapp's new offering of subversive pop 'Supernature' because rarely do you come across an album this good.
Too many great tracks to single out but Secret Online faves include 'Satin Chic' (possibly the Frapp's finest ever track?), 'Ride A White Horse', 'Lovely 2 C U' & 'No.1' - all of which are instant, chart friendly classics.

Supernature is full of brilliantly produced pop with one or two electro nods to Gary Numan, T-Rex, OMD and the League.






Supernature is out now on Mute records and is also available as a limited edition SACD/DVD here.



orac contact: secretsonline@f2s.com

11. 08. 2005

'Original Mixes' - tracklisting revealed




Virgin have released details of the forthcoming 'Original Mixes' CD to online traders. CDV3011 will feature 13 essential Virgin era tracks some of which are making their CD debut. 'Original Mixes' is expected to hit UK record stores on September 26th:

Being Boiled (Travelogue Version)
The Sound Of The Crowd (12" version)
Love Action (Instrumental Mix)
Hard Times (Instrumental Mix)
Open Your Heart (12" version)
Don't You Want Me (Special Extended Dance Mix)
Mirror Man (Extended Version)
(Keep Feeling) Fascination (Improvisation Mix)
The Lebanon (Extended Version)
Life On Your Own (Extended Version)
Electric Dreams (Extended Version)
Human (Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Mix)
Love Is All That Matters (Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Mix)
Heart Like A Wheel (William Orbit Extended Version)

The sleeve artwork should begin to appear online within the next few weeks and the CD can be pre-ordered here.


The Blue Plate label in the US will now be releasing the remastered 'Crash' on October 4th with three extra tracks that include extended versions of US number one 'Human', the ever popular 'I Need Your Loving' and splendid album finale 'Love is All That Matters'. This album can be pre-ordered from US site CD Universe by clicking here.

06 . 08 . 2005




Top 10 Human League Remix Download Chart




Congratulations to Jon Visitor whose stunning mix 'Human Remains' takes the top spot after just three weeks of being made available via Secrets Online with 2,000 downloads!
The previously unreleased Wall of Sound track is a mix of 'The Things That Dreams Are Made Of' and was submitted to the site by Jon himself. EMP's new mix of 'Electric Dreams' just narrowly misses out on grabbing the tenth spot even though it only went live a few days ago clocking up an impressive 574 downloads.

All tracks in blue are still available and the download figures are taken from July 1st - August 5th and includes stats from nifty website The Pansentient League (where you can grab all the mixes from numbers 5 - 10). I-Pod heaven!

01: Human Remains (The Visitor) - 2019 downloads
02: I Don't Depend on You (EMP vs The Men) - 1607 downloads
03: Seconds (Audacity Coup D'Etat Extended Remix) - 1307 downloads
04: Shameless (EMP Shamelessly Euphoric Remix) - 1123 downloads
05: Dance Like A Star (Afront Rebeats) - 924 downloads
06: Being Boiled (EMP Blind Revenge Mix) - 799 downloads
07: Dreams of Leaving (Audacity Mix) - 732 downloads
08: Do or Die (2004 Audacity Mix) - 697 downloads
09: Only After Dark (Electroluvs Remix) - 649 downloads
10: Shameless (Audacity Dance Mix) - 596 downloads

Add your voice to the long lost but recently found Secrets Online guestbook here.

Electric Dreams EMP Unity Mix

EMP's hands-in-the-air 2005 summer mix of 'Electric Dreams' is our latest mix for your downloading pleasure.
Clocking in at 7.32 minutes, the mix retains all of Philip's vocals whilst totally reinventing the backing with a superb intro that is worthy of a mix on it's own.

EMP describe the 21st anniversary take on this decade defining classic as a mix that is 'in full club mix mode'
whilst the new backing contains: 'a big Blue Monday/Funky Town bassline, arpeggiated synth, subtle filtering and fat clubby drums (the intro drums are a bit reminiscent of Do or Die from Dare).'

If you liked the Electric Dreams mix then send EMP some feedback maybe even suggest a future track by dropping them a line here.

To download the EMP Unity Mix of 'Electric Dreams' (file size: 11.22MB) please click here or on the EMP image top right.

Note: This mix is provided for non-commercial use only to promote The Human League and is copyright protected by the holders Virgin EMI. Please avoid bootlegs (particularly those on Ebay) that include mixes from this site.
The original version of the Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder track 'Electric Dreams' can be found on 'The Very Best Of'.

Many of the League's old albums are available at bargain budget prices, some of which are digitally remastered with extra tracks. If you have enjoyed the free mp3's made available through this site, please support the band by purchasing the albums via the links opposite.


Remastered Hysteria


US record Label Caroline have released details of their forthcoming remastered Hysteria CD which is due to be released on September 6th. As well as the full album, several B-sides and 12" mixes that were previously only available on deleted vinyl will be making their CD debut and they include:

'Thirteen' - (from "The Lebanon" 12"), the rather wonderful 'The World Tonight' - (from "Life On Your Own" 12"), 'The Lebanon' - (extended version from "The Lebanon" 12"), 'Life On Your Own' - (extended version from "Life On Your Own" 12") & the much improved extended version 'The Sign' - (taken from the "Louise" 12").

Amazon.co.uk are selling the US import for the bargain price of £13.99 and this remastered CD can be pre-ordered here.

(Sue image taken at Belgium's 2005 Pili Pili by Marcel Meulstee)



Original Mixes to get UK release!

Amazon.co.uk now have the new Human League compilation 'Original Mixes' listed for pre-order on the Virgin label for the retail price of £11.99. With the catalogue number CDV3011 confirming that it is no longer an exclusive Japanese import, the CD is due to be released on September 26th.
Details of the tracklisting are yet to be revealed but Secrets Online readers can pre-order the CD by clicking here.

(with thanks to Justin Bindley & Anthony R Phillips)

June/July 05 news archive including EMP mix of 'I Don't Depend On You' and previously unreleased Wall Of Sound mix Human Remains. All can be accessed by clicking here.

orac contact: secretsonline@f2s.com