Alec Mansion: Alec Mansion (180g) Vinyl LP Alec Mansion

Boogie funk grail finally reissued! Alec Mansion’s self-titled full length from ’83 has steadily gained cult status to diggers in the know, especially with the modern funk movement in full swing. The O.G. press is no easy find, only released in France and Germany back in the day, and fetching a pretty penny when it does surface. Thankfully Be With Records has come through with the first proper reissue of this sought-after gem on heavyweight 180 gram vinyl, complete with newly remastered sound for maximum funking. The music should speak for itself (and funk heads should already have it in the cart), but here’s some background from the label incase you had any doubts – “Originally released in 1983, the LP arrived with impeccable credentials; programming duties were handled by Dan Lacksman (the brains behind Telex, the “Belgian Kraftwerk”) whilst production came from Marc Moulin (of jazz-rock fusion heroes Placebo). At the time its merits were mainly praised by radio and studio heads. Today, Mansion’s masterpiece is lauded by boogie aficionados from Liege to Los Angeles. It was during a stay in Chicago that the Belgian took inspiration from the communal spirit and sheer power of black American funk. In a recent interview with Vice’s Noisey, Mansion cited The Whispers, Prince and Chic as key touchstones in his quest for his desired sound. Upon finessing his idiosyncratic European style of funk for his self-titled sophomore LP, Mansion flirted with perfection. Showcasing a staggering run of instant (non)-hits, this sonically stunning album can be viewed as both of its time and, yet, aeons ahead of it.” Limited edition repress with printed insert and full pic sleeve reproduction of Mansion on a hot tin roof… with cats! Recommended.

• limited edition
• 180 gram vinyl pressing
• remastered sound
• printed insert
• music label: Be With Records 2017

reviewed by QDN MEC 08/2017