berntholer
ltm catalog

Berntholer formed in Brussels in 1981 around Albanian-born singer Drita Kotaji, joined by Simon Rigot, Pol Fourmois and Manu Poutte. Their distinctive name was inspired by a Virna Lindt song. In 1982 the band released their first single on the tiny Putovsky label, which paired Japanese Garden with The Others. The following year Berntholer made waves around Europe with their second single, My Suitor, a haunting cello-led torch song initially released on Blue Feather. In the UK, the single became an enduring favourite of John Peel, and remains a cult classic worldwide.


MERRY LINES IN THE SKY LTMCD 2403 £10
This enhanced CD gathers together all Berntholer studio recordings (uncluding many unreleased demos) made between 1983 and 1985, and also includes an extended QuickTime mpeg audio visual section featuring video clips for My Suitor, Exterior Nuit and The Choice. The artwork includes detailed sleevenotes and archive photos. Full tracklist: My Suitor, Pardon Up Here, Lunacies, Emotions, You Grabbed Me by the Hand, Private Hotel, The Curtain Long, Kingdom Mine, Map Your Eyes, Shape the Rain, Merry Lines in Skies, A Distance, Simulation, Japanese Garden, The Others, My Suitor (video), Exterior Nuit (video), The Choice (video).

Reviews: "The striking combination of light clssical undertones, effervescent acoustic guitars, bubbling bass and Drita's quirky lyrics ensure a shimmering 61 minutes" (The Big Takeover, 09/04); "A loving collection of songs by a terrific band that created diverse and easily digestible music. For those who take pleasure in reading surreal short stories rich in detail and listening to songs that weave warm tales using unconventional melodies, Merry Lines is a perfect addition to the CD rack" (delusions of adequacy.com, 12/04); "A definitive collection, lead by My Suitor, a cello-driven slice of sweetly downbeat chamber pop" (Brainwashed, 2005)


UMBRELLAS IN THE SUN LTMDVD 2400 £12
Berntholer perform My Suitor on this definitive two hour compilation DVD, which also features rare archive clips from Antena, A Certain Ratio, Josef K, Cabaret Voltaire, Marine, Section 25, The Names, Durutti Column, New Order, Crispy Ambulance, Minny Pops, Malaria!, Berntholer, Tuxedomoon, Thick Pigeon, Paul Haig, Kalima, Stockholm Monsters, Quando Quango and Swamp Children. For more details of this DVD click here.


VARIOUS B9 bis LTMCD 2486 £10
Originally released by Sandwich Records in 1981, this expanded CD edition of the rare compilation B9 offers a definitive overview of the post-punk scene in Brussels and Belgium between 1979 and 1983. 18 tracks, 75 minutes of music, including Emotions by Berntholer. Click here to read liner notes. Full tracklist: Kid Montana Cabs Ambush; Tristes Tropiques Untitled *1; Prothese Tumeurs; Rel Rex Program; Digital Dance Human Zoo; Polyphonic Size Kyoto; Satin Wall Dans les Profondeurs; Tristes Tropiques Untitled *2; Pseudo Code Around Midnight; Slim Jack & H.F.C. So Sah Gelleck Tissah; The Names Spectators of Life; Siglo XX Individuality; Marine Life In Reverse; Isolation Ward Lamina Christus; Front 242 Principles (Instrumental); Allez Allez Allez Allez; Berntholer Emotions; Jung The Real Thing.


INK "EVER NOW" (DIGIT 008) £10
In addition to the Berntholer CD we also have a limited number of copies of the handsomely packaged debut album by Ink released in 2003. Ink features Drita Kotaji (ex Berntholer) and Stephan Barbery (ex Digital Dance, Marine). Full tracklist: Forget and Go, A Tree is an Evidence, Friends, Rare Minutes, Eyes of a Child, The Mountain Far, Ocean Water, A Glimpse of You, Just Me, Ghosts, Home Sweet Home.

Reviews: "Ever Now is a dreamy album if ever there was one. Shimmerimg, reverb-soaked, electric guitars, softly strummed acoustics, and ethereal female vocals constitute a majority of the music. Electronic ambience and sampling sometimes hover in the background, but they are used sparingly. Free-floating, narcotic, a welcome listening prospect." (Left Off The Dial, 01/03)

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