Cosmic Machine: A Voyage Across French Cosmic & Electronic Avantgarde CD+2LP Cosmic Machine

Impressive collection of French electronic music from the 1970s. Following the innovative reign of Pierre Henry and Pierre Schaeffer at the GRM, French musicians started infusing pop, disco and rock with avant-garde ideas. Their German and American counterparts often overshadowed their achievements. Thankfully A Voyage Across French Cosmic & Electronic Avantgarde (1970-1980) sheds further light on the exploits of France’s experimental pop musicians. The selections include household names like Serge Gainsbourg and Jean-Michel Jarre, as well as disco greats Cerrone and Patrick Juvet. Black Devil Disco Club’s Bernard Fevre contributes the exclusive “That Is To Be,” a mellow synth led cut that sounds like something College would try to create today. The father of Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter, Daniel Vangarde, is represented by the cosmic disco of DVWB’s “Aqua.” Alan Goraguer, who was responsible for the legendary Fantastic Planet soundtrack, is makes an appearance as well. Olivier Carrié has done a stellar job in hand selecting the tracks for A Voyage Across French Cosmic & Electronic Avantgarde (1970-1980). Far from being a stagnant compilation of French disco, we get a taste of a little of everything electronic France had to offer when futuristic still meant the future. Hand numbered limited edition double LP pressed on clear vinyl, housed in a gatefold jacket. Includes free CD of the album.

• music label: Because Music 2013

reviewed by Señor Sueño Latino 11/2013