Peek-A-Boo is very honored with Roland Beelen's Ten Albums that left a mark on his life. Roland was involved in nearly everything that was Belgian (from Siglo XX to Nacht Und Nebel). He was one of the driving forces behind the new beat and of course the CEO of Antler Records.
I prefer to name the 10 albums that changed my life in a chronological order. 10 albums that more or less determined my life, 10 albums that left strong memories and that carved my soul because they made me the person that I am today. It starts in 1971 when I was a longhaired controversial 15 year old boy.
1. YOKO ONO - Fly
A double album, still carrying the split of the Beatles in its grooves and containing mostly avant-gardistic tracks, build around the primal scream of Yoko (it made my mother crazy). This album was my first introduction to avant-garde in art, to PopArt, to Andy Warhol, The Velvet Underground, Nico and so much more that I still fancy a lot, even after all these years. Favourite tracks: Don’t worry Kyoko and Mindtrain.
2. JOHN LENNON - Sometime in New York City
What else could it be after I digested the first one. With this album I discovered my social engagement, my left wing side. The record showed the wounds of the world's social injustice and to me it was an invitation to join the barricades. With this album I first got to know Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, featured on side 4 of this double album in a jam session with Lennon and Ono. Favourite tracks: Angela (Davis) and Sunday Bloody Sunday.
Back to 1977-1978, Punk was the next big thing since 2 years. My discovery trip through numerous bands like Sex Pistols, The Clash, Elvis Costello, The Buzzcocks and many, many others brought me to one memorable album, and probably the best punk album ever.
3. THE ADVERTS - Crossing The Red Sea
Songs like Bored Teenagers, and Gary Gilmore’s Eyes still sound like hymns to me. The Adverts, a bunch of punks learning to play guitar and bass, made the one album that threw all barriers over board for those who wanted to make music themselves. From that moment on, my life would only be about music, playing, producing, releasing records, etc. 35 years later I got to know TV Smith personally and I discovered a fine man, a great songwriter and performer (250 gigs a year) playing his musical legacy all over Europe. His last album I Delete is a masterpiece.
4. BRIAN ENO - Before and After Science
I discovered this album from 1977 on a CD re-release in 1985. Right after I consciencely got burried in the complete works of Eno, with an overwhelming fascination for sound and taperecorders. Favourite tracks: Here He Comes and By this River.
5. DAVID BOWIE -Low
As I could sing (read recite) the complete Bowie discography from start to finish, this album Low of 1977 was a real smack in the face. Eno’s contributions to the album were simply fascinating and after a series of masterpieces Low was definitely the most innovating album he ever made and until 2016 certainly his best album to me. Favourite Tracks: Warszawa and Be my Wife.
6. JOY DIVISION - Unknown Pleasures
This album certainly was the next smack in the face. There were so many cool bands coming from the then very famous Manchester scene, and this led me to a completely new discovery trip along UK New Wave bands and labels. Martin Hannett developed a sound that became a totally new worldwide trend in new wave. Favourite Tracks: She’s Lost Control and Shadowplay.
7. SIGLO XX - Siglo XX, double album studiosides en Live Sides.
After several years of intense collaboration with the band, this record is their most memorable to me. During the time I was working in Manchester on the Album Libreville by Biting Tongues, and with Suns of Arqa on the album Wadada Magic, this Siglo XX album was born. On the Studio Sides of this double album by Siglo XX I got really creatively involved in the making of the record (besides producing it). I travelled from Antwerp to London and Manchester with a 24 track tape and recorded overdubs with Eric Random, Howard Walmsley, Mohammad Omar, Mohammad Wali, Michael Wadada, Uli Krâmer and Tony Tundell. All fine musicians performing together on this album. Favourite Tracks: Some Have a Laughter and Guild and Desire.
8. AUGUSTUS PABLO - East of the River Nile
I discovered this reggae album only in 1985. Apart from the fact that East of the River Nile, a very beautiful album, got my full attention, it also led me indirectly to the On-U-Sound label and more particular to Adrian Sherwood. From then on, I got completely hooked on his label and his work with numerous artists. He seriously was of big influence on my work as a producer and live sound engineer.
9. THE ART OF NOISE - Who’s Afraid of the Art of Noise
The sound of Trevor Horn, Mr. Art of Noise, but also his work with Propaganda, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Yes, was not always a proof of great musical taste, but his label ZTT was revolutionary at the time regarding mixing, sound production, sounds, effects and transparency in sound image. His work as a producer and sound engineer was groundbreaking for generations after him.
10. THE BROTHERS - The Brothers on Acid
An experiment of sound, EBM and oh so weird. I still love it. This album was the end of an era in the studio, recording, producing, mixing with numerous artists, too many to name. I am still very grateful to have worked with them all those years. After my time with Poesie Noire (Tales of Doom, Tetra, and multiple 12 inches), we founded the producers Trio Morton Sherman and Bellucci during the New Beat period. The Brothers was my last work with Casters and Gillis and also my farewell to the studio as a creator of sound and producer. From then on, the record company that I had founded with Maurice Engelen needed my full attention as a CEO. A wise, but nevertheless painfull decision.