Helene Rikhard has remained a hidden gem in the Norwegian electronic music underground for years, but that’s certain not to last for long. Her sound is an ingenious mix of psychedelic disco, 80’s wave music, techno, krautrock, ambient and it truly operates in a world of its own. Drawing inspiration from the cosmic disco of Daniele Baldelli, the jazzy depths of Detroit techno and the esoteric dreamscapes of Laraaji, it’s astral music for astral people! Psychedelic to the core, but also warm, adventurous, and highly original. As she releases her brilliant new ‘Everlasting High’ LP on Snick Snack, DMCWorld goes Back to Mine with Helene Rikhard.
Ennio Morricone – Come Maddalena 12» disco version (1977)
Beautiful track from the score of the 1971 Italian movie Maddalena in a disco version that came out in 77.
Chris Cosey – October Love Song (1983)
A friend showed me Chris & Cosey’s Technø Primitiv album in the nineties, and later I discovered this track via Andrew Weatherall’s Nine O’Clock Drop compilation. I regularly play music by Chris & Cosey both out and at home.
Brian Eno – By This River (1977)
I need to hear this song from time to time. It’s from the album ‘Before And After Science’.
Brian Bennett Band – Clearing Skies (1976)
A track by the drummer of The Shadows, Brian Bennett. This early track still has a bit of the Shadows feeling to it and also points towards the library stuff and electronic albums that he released later
Tangerine Dream – Heartbreakers (1985)
From the soundtrack of the 1984 movie Heartbreakers.
YMO – Light in Darkness (1992)
A beautiful track by the legendary Japanese band Yellow Magic Orchestra, all the members, Haruomi Hosono, Yukihiro Takahashi, and Ryuichi Sakamoto, have done fantastic music on their own also.
Thomas Almqvist – Sun Signs (1984)
Amazing Swedish guitarist. This track just has that kind of romantic feeling of Scandinavian summer.
Carter Burwell – Mareen In The Desert (1986)
From the soundtrack of the not-so-good Psycho III movie. It was also used in AIM’s Cold Water Music from 1999.
EMAK – Tanz In Den Himmel (1982)
A hauntingly beautiful track by Elektronische Musik aus Köln from 1982, I discovered this in the mid 2000, and it is still special.
Beach Boys – Surfs Up (1971)
I love The Beach Boys. Especially the Surfs Up album.
Helene Rickhard ‘Everlasting High’ LP is out now Snick Snack.
