Vol. II

Nearly a decade before he founded the influential synth pop group Telex, Belgian musician and engineer Dan Lacksman was making instrumental pop records heavy on Moog synthesizers, accompanied by folky acoustic guitars and steady yet not too hard-driving drums. In the wake of the international success of Hot Butters 1972 cover of Gershon Kingsleys Popcorn, Moog records were being pumped out frequently, and Lacksman issued several as Electronic System, Electronic Butterflies, Discotheque Sound, and other names, often repackaging the same material. Following several configurations of a 1972 debut centered around the perky original Coconut, as well as the obligatory Popcorn remake, Electronic Systems second proper album appeared in 1973. Using a modular synth system for the first time, he was able to achieve a more advanced sound, filled with intricate details and a wider variety of tonal colors. Mainly consisting of a mixture of originals and Belgian pop hits, the albums highlights are cheery, bubblegummy confections like opener Top Jerk, with its filtered synth-horns and easygoing rhythm, or the whistling bossa nova of Dedicated to Gerard. The one universally recognizable tune is La Bamba, which Lacksman had previously covered, but this version stretches past six minutes and is filled with oddly spaced-out synth work, even as the rhythm is steady and straightforward. Electronic Fair is a dazzling circus-like waltz, while Going Back to Moog City adds touches of funky guitar and bongo drums, leaning closer to Stand!-era Sly & the Family Stone but with a vaguely country-rock flavor. A few selections are somewhat more downbeat, such as the bluesy Fats and the spooky Moog Jealousy, but even these arent heavy enough to sink the albums generally optimistic mood. Some of Lacksmans other early albums fall on the wrong side of 70s schlock (particularly 1974s unbearably corny Tchip Tchip, which is only redeemed by the 14-minute proto-Air chillscape Skylab), but Vol. II is undeniably creative and easily the most enjoyable record from this period of the artists career. ~ Paul Simpson