Renee - Reaching For The Sky (1LP Coloured)

Format: LP
Catalogue No.: MOVLP3948C
Barcode: 8719262041035
Release Date: 03 Oct 2025
Genre: Pop, Rock

Dutch sophisti-pop meets yacht rock
Includes the underground hits “Lay Me Down” and “Change Your Style”, a favourite of Norwegian DJ Prins Thomas
Featured in Chee Shimizu's book Obscure Sound, a discography of some of the most rare records from around the world
45th anniversary edition on translucent magenta coloured vinyl

Side 1
1. Dry Your Tears
2. Lay Me Down
3. Sadman
4. Just One Look
5. It’s Absurd
Side 2
1. Jimmy
2. Come Closer
3. Change Your Style
4. Reaching For The Sky
5. Stranded Lady

Renée was born out of The Hague-based rock ‘n roll band René And His Alligators, founded by René Nodelijk in 1959. Throughout the 60s they were moderately successful both on stage and in the studio and served as an inspiration for many bands associated with the burgeoning beat scene in the coastal city. From 1967 onwards they performed under a few different names before going on a hiatus. In 1977 he made a comeback, this time

joined by his wife Anja Nodelijk, née Exterkate. To reflect this fresh feminine impulse the band name was changed to simply Renée and recorded four full-length albums and a host of singles before disbanding in 1982 to make way for Anja’s solo career.
Reaching For The Sky from 1980 is their second and has been likened to many different things: Fleetwood Mac, Dire Straits, or even a fantasy collaboration between Pat Benatar’s guitarist, Heart’s Ann Wilson, and Steely Dan. Sprinkle some reggae and funk in the mix and it is no surprise that some of the tunes on this album ended up in niche YouTube algorithms, a Japanese book about obscure records, and in DJ sets by big names like Prins Thomas, who even released an extended edit of “Change Your Style” on a 12” single. This is obscure sophisti-pop at its best.
Reaching For The Sky is available as a 45th anniversary edition on translucent magenta coloured vinyl.