Don’t worry too much about the wordy and ultra-specific title – this is music to completely lose your head in. The French have always had a very imaginative way with synthesizers, and this compilation teases out some of the very best moments from a decade that was still getting used to the instruments as a form of expression within pop music. It is no surprise at all to report the appearance of Jean Michel Jarre, and the psychedelic ‘Black Bird’ is a great choice, but it has to compete with other gems, such as the exotic warmth of Frederic Mercier’s ‘Spirit’, the heady ‘Temps X’ of Didier Marouami, the bonkers ‘Le Physique Et Le Figure’ (by none other than Serge Gainsbourg) and the rather excellent ‘Love Machine’ by Space Art , a great bit of slightly awkward and off key disco with massive synthesizers. All of that comes without mentioning the crowning glory, Space’s ‘Magic Fly’, which remains a wonderful and timeless piece of instrumental music for which the word ‘cosmic’ was surely invented! A special mention should be made to the compiler Uncle O, for he is clearly a student who passed his electronic exams with some distinction – and is now prepared to share the results with us. We’re very grateful!
5 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
