Aneka - Alister McColl (1982)

In 1979, Scottish folk singer Mary Sandeman released her debut album, “Introducing Mary Sandeman”, an eclectic concoction of Gaelic singing, Welsh traditionals and even a cover of ABBA’s “My Love, My Life”. Two years later she adopted the name Aneka and stormed the charts all over Europe with million-seller “Japanese Boy”. Left with a dilemma what to do with her ‘Japanese image’, Mary started experimenting with underground dance, avantgarde pop and prog-rock. The latter can be heard on her 1982 single “Alister McColl”, a song that sounds like a hard rock Kate Bush. Produced by Neil Ross, who worked before as an assistant producer for Genesis, the song has a huge build-up and climax - driven by Sandeman’s impressive vocal range.This hidden treasure could have been the inspiration behind Weyes Blood and Ariel Pink’s “Tears On Fire”. Bring Aneka back!

Pictures taken from the obscure cult classic "Till Death".