New Musik was formed in 1979 after various constellations in London.
The members all came from the same school and area.
The projects and bands were many.
Such as "Reeman Zeegus":
Tony Mansfield,Clive Gates)
"End Of The World" :
(Nick Straker,Tony Hibbert,Tony Mansfield.Phil Towner)Limmie Funk Limited:
(Towner,Straker),Nick Straker Band(same as "End Of The World")
Maggie Britton:(New Musik members as musicians).
Phil Towner also played with The Buggles on a few occasions.
The trio to form New Musik was:
Mansfield,Towner& Hibbert.
Tony contacted his old friend Clive Gates (of the "Reeman Zeegus" days)to be an additional member.
He was soon to be a full member of the band or project (that they liked to call it).
The quartet released two albums:
"From A To B" & "Anywhere"
and some great singles like:
"Living By Numbers", "Straight Lines" "While You Wait" & "Luxury".
The band was hugely influenced by The Beatles.
(in the way the compositions of the songs were made)
Their song "On Islands" was later covered by german synth act "Camouflage".
..
Tony Hibbert and Phil Towner left the group during the summer of -81.
Tony M. worked for a while with the legendary Yellow Magic Orchestra.
And also helped out on Yukihiro Takahashi..s album "What Me Worry?" and "Neuromantic".
Mansfield and Gates then teamed up with another friend, a drummer called Cliff Venner.
Soon after they start working on the "Warp" album.
Tony Mansfield developed a brand new trigger technique with digital sampling,sequencers and emulators.
This new technique was followed by bands to come.
So in fact New Musik were pioneers of styles twice!
First with "the electronic beatles sound"
and second, with the new sampling technique!
First single from "Warp" was called "The Planet Doesn..t Mind".
Which was covered by a band called X-Visitors.
The song became a huge dance hit in clubs in San Francisco!
It..s a shame that "Warp" didn..t reached a wider audience.
The album is in fact one of the best synth..electronic albums from the -80..s.
Now it was time for New Musik to cover someone.
Who else than The Beatles?.
A fantastic version of "All You Need Is Love" was released on single.
"Warp" itself was full of great songs like:
"Here Come The People"
"Going Round Again"
"A Train On Twisted Tracks"
"Kingdoms For Horses"
"Hunting"
the 2 versions of "All You Need Is Love"
and the title track "Warp".
The latter to be released on single as well.
Other songs that must be mentioned:
is some B-sides and previously unreleased tracks like:
"Missing Persons"
"And"
"She..s A Magazine"
"Under Attack"
"From The Village" & "Guitars"
Those songs are fantastic.
Sadly New Musik splits up after "Warp" in -82.
But, later that year Tony Mansfield teamed up with his brother Lee and Rob Fisher (Naked Eyes).
They called themselves Planet Ha Ha.
And released a single called "Home".
They did in fact record a new album.
But due to legal issues about the release of the 7", it was left in the archives.
Tony M. went on to produce albums for many artists like: Naked Eyes,Mari Wilson,The B-52s,
After the Fire,Ilene Barnes,Delegation,
Steve Kent, Search Party, President President,
Captain Sensible,The Damned, a-ha,
Sotoma,Phillip Jap, John Dark, Aztec Camera,
Martin Ansell, Wendy Wu, Viscious Pink,
The Cleaners From Venus, Eight Point Five,
Bose, Claude Sabbah, Jean Paul Gaultier,
Thunderclap 2, Mader, Lio, Duke, Mimori Yusa,
The 2, Nice Music, Aska Ryo, Denim, Pulse,
The Rescue, Yip Yip Coyote,Ana Torroja,
Brainstorm. Through all these years Tony was keen on bringing New Musik back to life.
He was in regular contact with the other members.
And new material was written.
Except for Cliff Venner who played drums for a jazz project called Zubop.
And for The Guest Stars on the album "Live In Berlin".
Venner then went into buddhism,
(were he probably sits in a monastry somewhere :-).
New Musik will rise again someday.
Maybe under a different name like New Musik II,
Fun Drum
or perhaps we will see them under Planet Ha Ha?
Tony Mansfield still work as a producer.
His latest was "80..s British Gold " (from march -07).
with various groups from that time.
New Musik is not represented though.
One thing is for sure, we miss you Tony! If there is any news please contact us. Credits to: Jonas Wårstad and Room One.............Best wishes from Ståle :-)
....
This fan space also includes:
different projects and bands from the members of our beloved NEW MUSIK!
We have a friend of honour amongst our friends:
And that is "Phoebz" (Phoebe Hibbert).
Daughter of Tony Hibbert(ex-member of New Musik)!
And to all the other friends:
I am really glad and happy to have you all as friends!!
:-)
............................
Books
Heroes
E-MAIL ME AT:
atrainontwistedtracks@yahoo.uk
or: goblinsclub@hotmail.com
How I made my profile: I used Dave & Jay's amazing myspace editor.
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NEW MUSIK - STRAIGHT LINES
NEW MUSIK - THIS WORLD OF WATER
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NEW MUSIK - LIVING BY NUMBERS
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New Musik members: 1979-1982
1. Tony Mansfield
2. Clive Gates
3. Phil Towner
4. Tony Hibbert
5. Cliff Venner
Who I'd like to meet: Albums by New Musik:
1. From A to B (1980)
2. Anywhere (1981)
3. Sanctuary (compilation 1981)
4. Warp(1982)
Singles by New Musik:
1. Straight Lines (1979) also as 10" with 4 tracks
2. Living By Numbers (1979)
3. This World Of Water (1980)
4. On Islands (1980) dutch..french
4. Sanctuary (1980)
5. Luxury (1981)
6. Churches (1981)french
7. They All Run After The Carving Knife (1981)
6. While You Wait (1981)
7. The Planet Doesn..t Mind (1981)
8. All You Need Is Love (1982)
9. Warp (1982)
Planet Ha Ha:
(Tony Mansfield,Lee Mansfield & Rob Fisher)
1. Home (single 1982)
A train on twisted tracks. Afraid, delayed. What a great song! I love it! The best song of the 80..s!!!! "Warp" is fantastic Musik and Cover-Art! Thanks Tony and Co!
Thanx for the add ... New Musik have produced some classic singles & albums, Tony Mansfield definately has that magic touch both as an artist and a producer ... they were definately an influence to us, and still are ... cheers!
Hello and thanx for adding me to your New Musik fan space. I really missed Tony and the guys when they disappeared from the music scene, and loved all of their work. I write music with my husband, and if you wish to click on Dave R Bayes in my friend list, you are welcome to listen. We were actually doing our own acoustic version of 'Room 1' a few weeks ago - a beautiful song...
Hey I carried The Urban Foxes track with me since I was 10 years old, I still love it. 'Areas' has to be one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Would love to see a reunion as like most of us here. X
Great space and so good to find fellow supporters of New Musik, one of the alltime great british bands. We were once aquainted with Phil Towner. but more strangely .we played in a version of Limmie Funk Ltd prior to the Nick Straker lineup .New Musik still sound fresh and original. Wherever you are guys, thanks for the inspiration Paul and Robin Simon. AjantaMusic salutes you!
