Chen Yi

The Chen Yi Commune according to internet sources was founded in 1978 by about 20 women & men from London and the surrounding areas. The aim of the commune was to create a closed subsystem, a kind of subsociety and to narrow down its contact to the outside world only on very few specific actions. The Chen Yi commune never was interested in producing records, some of the members even refused any form of release whatsoever. In 1981 one member released a tape edition called “Hanging", consisting of rough and brutal electronic music and sound collages. The title referred to the first 3 English witches who were hanged in Chelmsford, where the commune house was located. This cassette was sent to various record companies. A recording contract in 1982/83 with CBS was made. About 7 tracks were produced for the first Chen Yi LP and more couldn't be finalised, because CBS suddenly pulled out of the contract. This left unfinished tapes of an LP, which finally got its release in 2006.
However, critics have questioned the origins of the group, especially the polished sound, that doesn't sound like a demo or something from the late 70's or early 80's. Some have argued that the background story may have been far fetched and that the group's tracks are in reality from 2006, rather than an early period. As the group is so obscure and there is very little information about them, we may never know.
== Links to Peel ==
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According to internet sources, Peel obtained a demo copy from Chen Yi, which was played on his programme, and there was a plan of the group doing a session for his show in 1983, which failed to materialised for unknown reasons. Nonetheless the group's music attracted the attention of CBS, who made a record contract with them. However, CBS pulled out and none of Chen Yi's music was released until 2006. The story is questionable, as a major record label like CBS would not have gambled on signing an obscure alternative electronic group from a commune. Also due to the polished sound quality and the music not sounding much like from the late 70's or early 80's, this maybe a story that the Chen Yi Commune created to gain some press attention.
== Shows Played ==
* None, according to available playlists on the Peel wiki site.
== External Links ==
* Discogs
Category:Artists