Paul Hardcastle - 19 (1985)

Paul Hardcastle is an electronic musician from England that fell into jazz in his later years. Before he did, he hit the charts with his one-hit wonder, 19. It's 80's synthpop at it most exemplary. It 's title is named after the average age of an American soldier in Vietnam. Although the Vietnam war ended in 1975 the pop hit chronicles the war 10 years later. It's light dance tunes are juxtaposed by clips of war statistics, soldier's experiences, & traumatic experiences. The version on this 12" single is called the Destruction Mix & is a little longer, but pretty much the same hit song. Side B of the release is really an interesting change. It's full of less popular, but equally as interesting electronic instrumental tracks: There is the weirdo track The Asylum, the light-hearted Dolores, & the funky Fly By Night.

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