The Rubens Room - El Records: In Camera (CD) | Mint (M) Get Cheap Vinyl

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Of all the independent record labels of the 1980s, él was the most singular and exciting. él 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, él 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 él. él 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 él. 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 él artistes. Great musicians such as Simon Turner (AKA The King of Luxembourg), Dean 'Speedball' Brodrick, and producer Richard Preston completed the picture. él 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 "él 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.

Track Listing:

01.    Anthony Bay    02:17    
02.    Like Nobody Do    02:52    
03.    Guess I'm Dumb    03:12    
04.    Touch Of Evil    03:21    
05.    If You're Missing Someone    02:50    
06.    Now Listen    02:25     
07.    Ulysses And The Siren    01:54    
08.    A Picture Of Dorian Gray    02:31    
09.    The Rubens Room    04:57     
10.    Smash Hit Wonder    02:52    
11.    The Camera Loves Me    03:00    
12.    Velasquez & I    03:35     
13.    Cecil Beaton's Scrapbook    02:54    
14.    Curtain    02:53    
15.    Oh Constance    03:24     
16.    The Execution Of Emperor Maximillian    03:29    
17.    Choirboys Gas    02:14    
18.    Where Have All the Schoolboys Gone?    04:00    
19.    Lemon Tarts    02:56    
20.    Jet Set Junta (Single Version)    01:48    
21.    Thames Valley Leather Club    02:47    
22.    Park Row    03:50    
23.    John The Baptist Jones    03:13    
24.    Paper Wraps Rock    03:59    
25.    Umber Wastes    03:17    

- Of all the independent record labels of the 1980s, él was the most singular and exciting.
- This "best of" compilation LP, curated by label supremo Mike Alway himself, reminds the world of the greatness of él.
- Featuring Louis Philippe, Anthony Adverse, The King of Luxembourg, Would-Be-Goods, Marden Hill, Bad Dream Fancy Dress, The Monochrome Set, Always, and Momus.

• Media Condition: Mint (M)
• Format Detail: CD
• Format: CD
• Genre: POP
• Released: 4/25/25