Bleep

Memory Dance are proud to inaugurate its first edition with this never-before released eight track compilation of 1980s Sheffield post-punk-disco-dub-pop.

The Leisure Foundation were a band that formed in the white heat of the early 1980s Sheffield music scene: the group made some demos, had some meetings, had some interest, played some glitzy gigs and then - just like that - dissolved. Members went onto success elsewhere. And so, all we are left with are ghost-fragments of a time and place. Memory Dance has gained access to original tapes and with the blessing of the original members, restored and remastered this music for 2023.

Side One kicks off with the essential synth-pop shine of Face on The Wall, before moving through the Cold War drum march paranoias of Hiroshima. And then comes Nile Rodgers. Well, the group doing Steel City Chic guitar across the pristine groove of Free, anyway. Nile was in the studio. Maybe.

Elsewhere, Side Two sees the quartet chop through bass-heavy electronic pop (Fight The Revolution) and Grace Jones-style Dub-skank (Total Control). The tape closes out with sublime Heaven 17 style call-response dystopian roller Heart of The City, and power-80s disco banger Lies.

The history of Sheffield music during this period is well documented, but few know of The Leisure Foundation. This release promises to change that.