Le Mans

Le Mans [2005]

ER-1113 CD Digipak

Digipak reissue, including booklet featuring the lyrics and remastered sound, of the debut album by LE MANS, originally released on Elefant Records in 1994.
The first steps by LE MANS are based in unexpected influences for a Spanish band in those years (MARINE GIRLS, FELT and Cherry Red bands, Motown soul) creating a sound that would be set as a reference for a whole generation of Spanish pop bands to come behind them.
Songs so simple that nowadays, when listening to them, one must wonder how come nobody had found such an effective formula before. But truth is that, in 1994, songs like “Astronautas” or “Jersey inglés” weren’t very usual in the Spanish pop scene.
The album is opened by the danceable charms and the tribute to Sly Stone of “Un rayo de sol”. It is followed by more relaxed, 100% LE MANS songs such as “Jersey inglés” (with a guitar lick taken from ORANGE JUICE), “Juan” or “Al bulevar”. Another remarkable moment is “H.E.L.L.O”, which is enhanced by some shy electronic beats and the vocal collaboration of Borja from San Sebastian friends LA BUENA VIDA.

Entresemana [2005]

ER-1112 CD Digipak

Third delivery in a series that started backwards: if last year we reissued “Aquí vivía yo” and “Saudade”, fourth and third album by LE MANS respectively, we go on with the countdown now with the re-release of the brief and magical “Entresemana”. In this case the digipak reissue, including booklet with lyrics and remastered sound, is even more appreciated, since the original released was in a slim cardboard envelope that didn’t make justice to the beauty it contained.
“Entresemana” is the confirmation of all the promises that arose after listening to the debut album by LE MANS, only going much further than before: eight gorgeous songs combining JULIE LONDON’s vocal jazz with winks and tributes to Spanish cult folk duo VAINICA DOBLE (especially on the lyrics to “Perezosa y tonta”), in a moment when nobody in Spain dared acknowledging their love for this lovely folk-rock outfit... and above all, a songwriting talent and personality that can’t be equalled. A brief but simply perfect album, ahead of its time, that makes your mind dizzy with its beauty and its honesty.
In the ever ascending path that followed the career of LE MANS, This second record surpasses the high levels of minimalist beauty they got with their first work. They let violin and string arrangements in their songs to increase the most lyrical side of their feelings. More than playing, it sounds as if they were caressing their instruments. A record, “Entresemana”, that you can fall for without embarrassment.

Saudade [2004]

ER-1111 CD Digipak

LE MANS’ third album digipack reissue, re-mastered by Xavier Alarcón (VANGUARD), along with an adapted cover by Javier Aramburu and a booklet with the lyrics. This is the album that confirmed LE MANS as great song-makers. "Saudade" is a Portuguese term meaning something like "sad longing" : it is pleasant and reassuring to see how LE MANS had enough perspective to define their music in such a clear and concise and, at the same moment, original way; in fact, "Saudade" is an album to be listened to calmly, carefully, and many times, in order to capture the essence of its serene beauty. The songs are all about eternal subjects as coolness, nostalgia and disillusionment; like gray and fall postcards, as the magnificent covers that wraps it. Orchestration is austere, bare, stressing Jone´s warm and touching voice and Ibon´s guitar arpeggios, paying homage once again to the great Nick Drake.

Aquí vivía yo [2004]

ER-1110 CD Digipak

This is the new edition of the legendary LE MANS last album 'Aquí vivía yo'. It is a brand new release on digipak, re-mastered by Xavier Alarcon (VANGUARD). The cover is different, but also designed by Javier Aramburu... and it also includes a 12-page booklet with the lyrics and credits of the re-edition. We are going to release the 4 LE MANS albums during this year (all remastered and with these particular features making them different from the original releases), and this is the first one.

Catástrofe nº17 [2003]

ER-1105 CD Digipak

Catástrofe nº 17 is the compilation all the band fans were waiting for. An album that compiles all the singles released by the band throughout their career, released between 1995 and 1998; some of them had been deleted some time ago; some other were only available in vinyl versions; excellent songs that will delight their less early rising fans.

Aquí vivía yo [1998]

ER-1058 CD Digipak [sold out] / Double-LP [sold out]

Before splitting up, this band left this awesome document of their talent and personality. Probably one of the best albums of the decade, full of delicate arrangements, charming vocals and a very personal sensibility. A must.

Yin yang [1998]

ER-314 CD-Single Digipak [sold out] / Maxi-Single 12" [sold out]

Like the previous single, with three extra tracks not included in any of their albums.

Mi novela autobiográfica [1997]

ER-188 Single 7" [sold out]

One of this Spanish band’s most renowned songs, thanks to its excellent melody and production. It appears in their album “Aquí vivía yo”, but this single features an instrumental version with some trombones doing the main melody, absolutely nice. The sleeve is also exclusive, and it’s one of their best!!!

Mi novela autobiográfica [1997]

ER-312 CD-Single Digipak [sold out] / Maxi-Single 12" [sold out]

One of this Spanish band's most renowned songs, thanks to its excellent melody and production. It appears in their album 'Aquí vivía yo', but there are three extra tracks in both formats of this record: 'Revelación', the incredibly beautiful 'La balada de la primavera' and 'Catástrofe nº 17'. The one with a big 'F' in its sleeve.

Jonathan Jeremiah [1996]

ED-004 CD-Single [sold out] / Maxi-Single 12" [sold out]

New incursion of LE MANS in Stereophonic. The title track is a prodigious instrumental song that starts with classic nylon strings guitar by Ibon Errazkin, and gets thicker and thicker till reaching something close to the best music produced by Mo' Wax or Ninja Tune, but with an undeniable personal touch. You can also find here a remix of 'Lucien' (a song from LE MANS' 'Saudade' album) by INSTRÜMENTAL, plus a heartfelt cover version of basque folk singer-songwriter Mikel Laboa.

Saudade [1996]

ER-1023 CD Digipak [sold out] / Double-LP [sold out]

The album that should definitively confirm the band as great sogwriters. Even deeper, denser, more serious, sharp and sincere. Lyrics are now more important, turning their beginnings' blue skies to grey. Instrumentation achieves a starring role: 'Orlando' is almost a song without Jone, and on 'Desacierto' they achieve unsurpassable peaks of beauty, something that could be useful to describe the rest of the songs on this record.

Dry martini [1996]

ER-168 Single 7" [sold out]

First single ever by this celebrated band from Donosti, with two songs taken from their splendid third album “Saudade”: “Dry Martini” (perhaps the best song -at least the best lyric- in the band’s faultless career) and the song “Saudade” (the title which defines the best the autumnal, melancholic atmosphere of their latest album). With this single we opened the first delivery of our Singles Club.

Zerbina [1995]

ED-002 Mini-CD [sold out] / Mini-LP [sold out]

Wonderful collage with varied remixes by VANGUARD, DJ Pez and EXTRA LUCID.

Entresemana [1994]

ER-1020 CD [sold out] / LP [sold out]

Melancholic, charming pop. Delicious, majestic string arrangements in a northern, nostalgic record.

Le Mans [1993]

ER-1005 CD [sold out] / LP [sold out]

First album by these Elefant classics: Cherry Red, ORANGE JUICE, easy listening... Simple, elegant structures, very melodic.

Momentos perdidos [2004]

ER-1115 CD [sold out]

We´re happy to bring you "Momentos perdidos", a collection of rarities, b-sides, wrong hits and a bunch of previously unreleased gifts. Lovely souvenirs from such different harbours as Japan, Germany, United States, France, England and, of course, Spain.
"Momentos perdidos" shouldn´t be seen as the usual compilation, nor a balance of the most representative stuff from the last years: we only expect to bring you a collection of delightful songs that, due to different reasons, were hidden in a record or never came to be published.

Modapop [2003]

ER-1094 CD Digipak

Here is a new Elefant compilation: 25 songs including songs taken from our newest releases, juicy advances from forthcoming records that will cause a commotion during the following months (CAMERA OBSCURA, LE MANS, LA CASA AZUL), and, of course, more than one unreleased treat for collectors and pop lovers in general (Ana D, ENTRE RÍOS, NOSOTRÄSH, COOPER, METRO, LES TRÈS BIEN ENSEMBLE and NIZA). From acoustic pop to naïve electronics, from sixties beats to avant-garde experiments; an exciting combination of very well-known names.