ÉLECTRONIQUE GUÉRILLA

When it comes to HELDON's seven studio albums from the seventies I like the first two and the last two the best. This is the debut from 1974 and as the liner notes say "All tracks made by Richard Pinhas with an AKS synth and a 1957 Gibson Les Paul". He does get some help with rhythm guitar on one track, and a lot of help on "Ouais Marchais Mieux Qu'en 68".You should see the picture of Richard in the liner notes, that might be the best "fro" i've ever seen ! Richard dedicates this album to Robert Wyatt. Very cool.

"Zind" is a fairly straight forward number with synth sounds coming and going while we get this constant hum. "Back To Heldon" opens with what sounds like a sequencer as spacey sounds flood the soundscape.This sounds really good. The guitar is making some noise as well. Interesting sounds after 5 1/2 minutes. "Northernland Lady" is the best of the first three tracks. We get this relaxed rhythm guitar as angular guitar from Pinhas comes in. Electronic sounds also fill out the sound.

"Ouais Marchais Mieux Qu'en 68" is where we get a lot of guests helping out including Patrick Gauthier on piano and synths. Guests also add some bass, drums, spoken words and more synths. It opens with drums and guitar as spoken words join in. When the words stop the elctronics come in.This contrast continues. Love the sound of this tune. "Circulus Vitiosus" builds and then these melancholic synths come in. Just an incredible sound here including the guitar. It gets pretty intense late. "Ballade Pour Puig Antich" opens with what sounds like steam letting off over and over as the electronics twitter.The guitar comes in gently. Fantastic !

This was an important Electronic album in France back in 1974, and Pinhas would go onto become the biggest star of this genre in his home country.