Name: Rosh Ballata
Brand: Malka Spigel

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

WM100

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2018-11-02

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Cargo

Tax rate GB

UPC / Barcode

5024545833027

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

VWM100

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5024545833010

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1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Malka Spigel

Genre GB

New Wave / Post Punk

Label GB

Swim

Malka Spigel is a renowned artist and musician who made her mark in the music industry as a member of Minimal Compact, a pioneering band known for their minimal post-punk/punk-funk sound. Alongside her bandmates, Malka collaborated with esteemed artists such as Tuxedomoon's Peter Principle and Wire's Colin Newman. She also contributed to the soundtrack of Wim Wender's film Wings of Desire. In addition to her musical achievements, Malka ventured into visual art, specializing in video and photography. Her work has been showcased at prestigious venues like the Royal Festival Hall in London.

Throughout her career, Malka formed a strong partnership with Colin Newman, whom she married in 1986. Together, they established the Swim label to release their own projects and support other artists' work. Immersion, one of their notable collaborations, created an installation at IMMA Dublin in 1996 that sparked Malka's interest in visual art alongside her musical pursuits.

In pursuit of her passion for visual art, Malka obtained a fine arts degree from 2000 to 2002. She gained recognition within the lomo community for her extensive collection of photography work captured using a lomo LCA camera. Her artistic journey continues as she creates captivating video works with Immersion and produces video clips for various artists like Vapourspace and Minimal Compact.

Innovative electronica-label Swim was launched in 1993 with Malka Spigel's first solo album "Rosh Ballata". The label is run by Malka Spigel and her partner Colin Newman (the Wire man) and has established itself as the premier "Post Everything" label. Swim combines genuinely innovative electronica, genre-crunching outrock, and sheer sonic invention with strong melodic content. The label cultivates a deeply cool aesthetic while maintaining surprising accessibility.

Swim has been at the forefront of pushing boundaries in electronic music since its inception. With a focus on innovation and experimentation, the label has consistently released groundbreaking albums that defy traditional genre classifications. From ambient soundscapes to glitchy beats, Swim artists are constantly pushing the limits of what is possible in electronic music.

The *label* has also fostered a strong sense of community within the electronic music scene. By collaborating with like-minded artists and supporting emerging talent, Swim has become a hub for forward-thinking musicians looking to explore new sonic territories. With an impressive roster of diverse artists such as *Malka Spigel*, *Colin Newman*, and many others, Swim continues to be a driving force in shaping the future of electronic music.

A welcome reissue for a lost classic of left field pop. Throughout the 1980s Malka Spigel was the bassist and vocalist with influential post punk band Minimal Compact. Formed in Amsterdam by three Tel Aviv émigrés, who would produce a series of highly prescient albums and singles. But by 1988 the band had dissolved and Spigel began to plot her next move.. Released in 1993, Rosh Ballata was a quantum leap forward from anything she had created before. The album takes its cue from the worlds of shoegaze and trip hop, yet it wears these influences very lightly. More significantly, unlike every other indie record of the era, it would be sung in Hebrew. The over-riding mood is one of optimism and unfolding possibilities. This is typified by the sun-drenched glide of Besof Heyom, which comes over like the soundtrack to an infinite hazy summer, whilst the skipping rhythms of Lisgor Sipor Yashan might almost suggest Kylie Minogue in a parallel world! There are moments of shade too, such as the brooding psychedelic drift of Yestiney or the mesmeric metallic art pop of Rotsa Ladat Od. Spigel worked closely with Wire main-man Colin Newman with input from former Minimal Compact colleague Samy Birnbach - who also wrote the lyrics to two songs. 2 songs feature texts by the poets Anton Shammas and Dahlia Ravikovich. The album was produced by Newman in their home studio. An album of intelligent but heartfelt internationalist pop. It overflows with ambition and a desire to communicate with the listener, no matter what language they speak.

Rosh Ballata

Music GB