The I.S.C. Tape Compilation Series (Cassette)

Andy Xport's Man's Hate Productions produced probably the definitive underground and alternative tape compilation series of the 1980s - the International Sound Communication (I.S.C.) series, and featured the weird and wonderful from all over the world.

I.S.C. 1

The first and the best (of the first ten anyway!). Highlights are Slaughter Tradition with a humdinger of a pop song 'Passion Revolt', Unovidual's superbly dreamy 'Gregoria Opstatica'. The latter songs are on Side 1, whilst the second side contains five fab tracks in succession; Absolute Body Control with the sing-a-long 'Waving Hands'. Tender Loving Care create a perky pop sing in 'Wasted Years' and F/i's 'Is It Worth It' takes time to get going, but gets there, Political Asylum with 'Cat's Eyes', ditto. Man's Hate 'Flash Of Flesh' is an arabesque punk number of some quality and originality.

- Paul Rance, Peace & Freedom, No. 4, Summer/Autumn 1986

I.S.C. 2

Class sounds in the shape of Technicolour Dream with 'The Great Arcade' and 'Closing Walls Of Karma' - acoustic guitar and voice only. Dennis Carleton's 'Fill In The Blank', jumpy pop, Western Front's 'Who's Girl Now' - nice tune, dodgy lyrics, and Partners In Crime strong and perceptive 'Falklands Factor' complete the major works.

- Paul Rance, Peace & Freedom, No. 4, Summer/Autumn 1986

I.S.C. 3

Best tracks on this compo comes from Savage Circle with 'Bleeding Throat'. Drags at first, then really takes off. Fine playing, hypnotic song. Fremskrittet produce a couple of simple, touching songs and Master/Slave Relationship's 'I Feel Sick' is pleasant, despite the title. Political Asylum's 'Fresh Hate (Live)' is done well, if hardly on an original theme, war. But if the subject's an emotive one, repetition doesn't matter.

- Paul Rance, Peace & Freedom, No. 4, Summer/Autumn 1986

I.S.C. 4

Belgium steal the honours on this one with Unovidual's 'Third Move To The Left' - a haunter, and another goodie, 'Opus 4', by Narzisse, rhythmic but melodic.

- Paul Rance, Peace & Freedom, No. 4, Summer/Autumn 1986

I.S.C. 5

Complete with vivid orange cover, the trax to look out for, pop pickers, are Ray Pearson's cut-ups, 'The Media Are Free', Zone Verte's neoclassical 'Pas De Panik', Barry Weinberg And The Blues Chargers unserious 'Somebody Get Me A Beer', and George Dumeco's enchanting/disturbing 'It Could've Been Me (2nd Excerpt)'.

- Paul Rance, Peace & Freedom, No. 4, Summer/Autumn 1986

I.S.C. 7

Alan Cornelius's hard-hitting poetry and prose starts off this compo, followed by Post War with 'Badger Baiters Are Masturbators' - thrash punk with reggae middle! Weirdness from Headcleaners, which my cat purred to. Pleasant synth from Fever Heroes with 'Luxurious Time' and Celestial Orgy's 'Fools Masquerade' is a stylish song. In 8's 'Fraud' is the best of all; superb production and atmosphere.

- Paul Rance, Peace & Freedom, No. 4, Summer/Autumn 1986

I.S.C. 8

Featuring the legendary Jim Morrison (with his new voice), ISC 8's bright spots are 'Rap' by Chumbawamba, though a bit over-long; Bill Pritchard can do no wrong and 'Black Souls Under White Skies' is another fine song from the 80s Elton John. Low Class and Dissolutio Humani Generis deliver a couple of classy pop ditties.

- Paul Rance, Peace & Freedom, No. 4, Summer/Autumn 1986

I.S.C. 9

The first C90 by Man's Hate Productions and more contrasting than ever before, especially on Side 2, where a gentle piano-laden song, 'Junk' - Ark & The Ologists, is followed by ultra-high energy punk from the impressive Disturbed with 'Warfare'. The Hive put together an impressively constructed and performed song, entitled 'Bleed' and 'Eante 23' by West German combo Jive Kappelle is a brassy-swinging number of some note.

- Paul Rance, Peace & Freedom, No. 4, Summer/Autumn 1986

I.S.C. 10

Side 1 includes a lot of industrial noise. Some notable, some grating. Photodrama's 'Dan Dare - Where Are You Now' takes the honours on the first side - beautiful. Die Schlaffen Affen's 'Back To Rock 'N' Roll' is a light hearted romp. L.O.S.P.'s 'Life On The Floor' hits the ceiling, as do those Bohemians, Mystery Plane, with 'Find Somebody'. Superstar Len Liggins (single of the week in 'Sounds') delivers two diverse ditties, 'Leningrad' and 'All The Dead Men', and Terry Gray's 'Faith' is a good tune, while Stress sock it to 'ee with 'Fist Comes Down'.

- Paul Rance, Peace & Freedom, No. 4, Summer/Autumn 1986

I.S.C. 11

One of the best compos to date. Class, subtlety, melody...from Schaum Der Tage, The Reverend Mark C. & The Z Funk And Inpull Caco.

- Paul Rance, Peace & Freedom, No. 5, Vol. 1, Summer 1987

I.S.C. 12

High rollers include V-Sor, X, Sismoid and Tara Cross, and Klimpere...and Al Densen. Even Iceland is represented on this one.

- Paul Rance, Peace & Freedom, No. 5, Vol. 1, Summer 1987

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Man's Hate Productions I.S.C. Tape Series