Cetu Javu – Southern Lands 2LP (Limited Edition 500 Black Vinyl in Heavy gatefold sleeve with a sticker)

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Mecanica – MEC087 (2024)

Cetu Javu : German Synth Pop band from Hannover. Founded in 1984 and split in 1994.

Javier Revilla and Chris Demere, both from Hanover and inspired by electronic music of Kraftwerk and Jean-Michel Jarre, started to experiment with sounds since the late 70’s. The arrival of New Wave with bands like Heaven 17, The Human League, Soft Cell and Depeche Mode influenced these teenagers to began Cetu Javu in 1984 with Javier on vocals, Chris on synths, guitar, programming, Torsten Engelke on keyboards and Stefen Engelke on bass. In 1985, the band won the third place in a contest, a year later they opened for Erasure and released their first single "Help Me Now!” in 1987 on their own label Deme Records. Like their compatriots Camouflage, Cetu Javu were unapologetically Depeche Mode-like in their sound, but with a fairly original twist on their synth pop formula. Their extremely catchy 1988 singles "Situations" and "Have in Mind" were instant hits on dance clubs and even re- ceived HEAVY airplay on U.S. alternative radio stations. The band signed a contract with ZYX Records - the label world famous as the universe’s No. 1 label for horrible graphics/artworks - and released their debut album “Southern Lands” in 1990, followed by a tour together with Wolfsheim and Blind Passengers as supporting acts. “Southern Lands” is now being re-released including all original songs plus some extended versions, remixes and bonus tracks from the accompanying singles “Situations", “Have in Mind" and "So Strange".