Not many bands would take creative inspiration from the Jewish Mourners’ Prayer – The Kaddish, but cult avant-garde electro-disco pioneers Gina X Performance did just that with their 1981 song ‘Kaddish’.

Led by the charismatic Gina Kikoine and probably best known for their cult 1979 Quentin Crisp-inspired hit ‘No G.D.M’. This curious oddity ranks as one of my favourite records of all time – and I’m not just saying that to get your attention.

‘Kaddish’ is one of the undisputed highlights from the band’s third album ‘Voyeur’. A mesmerizing, slow-mo disco track with ice cold Teutonic vocals, this is a radical and wonderfully peculiar record that still impresses to this day. It was even featured on Lindstrom’s 2007 Late Night Tales Mix, which only furthers the song’s enduring appeal. Track down a copy of the album if you can. I think LTM re-issued it in 2005 with added bonus tracks, it’s definitely worth splashing your cash on.

I mean, who’d have thought religion could be so bloody cool? Well, apart from the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and my mate Rich but who else, eh?

Gina X Performance – Kaddish

 Curious SOTD today from Propaganda – a slightly curious synth-pop group from the eighties. Comprising of Claudia Brucken, Michael Mertens, Susanne Freytag and Ralf Dorper, they left their native Germany for England in 1983. After performing  a cover of Throbbing Gristle’s ‘Discipline’  along side original material, they found an early advocate in Paul Morley (yes, that Paul Morley off the T.V) of ZZT Records. Probably enamoured with the group’s dark blend of disjointed but rhythmic blend of electro-pop, Morley promptly signed them and subsequently described and marketed them as ‘a hellish version of ABBA’. Oh Paul, You are clever!

Anyway, it was in 1985 their debut album ‘A Secret Wish’ was released and from it came ‘Frozen Faces’ (GEEK ALERT!! –  actually ‘Frozen Faces’ wasn’t on the original vinyl release but on the 1985 CD and Japanese re-issue  and an extended 12″ version of the track can be found on the b-side of the single ‘p:Machinery. Phew!). Personally, this is my favourite Propaganda track. Yes I know ‘Duel’ was alright and so was ‘Dr. Mabuse’ but they sound dated as hell. But ‘Frozen Faces’ still sounds deliciously warped and brilliant today. The off-kilter basslines, slightly pre-  EBM key changes, the scary German lady speaking gibberish and a really unexpected breakdown in the middle –  it’s a match winner in all departments. Sampled and re-edited to death in recent years, it gives the original extra resonance today. So there you have it. Check the track and the album (it’s worth the tracking down) and there’s nothing else to say except… take this break and dance!

Propaganda-Frozen Faces