Funky Friday Hitting You With The Mad Electronics


Jackson And His Computer Band
TV Dogs (Cathodica's Letter)

The always great audio blog 20 Jazz Funk Greats turned me onto Jackson And His Computer Band. Over the last month he's posted a couple of the tunes from this Frenchman's latest album Smash. He's on Warp so you know it's sure to be interesting, and it is. French fried funk of the crispy, clicky, glitchy variety, it bounces all over the electronic map. It's a heady brew of samples, noises, beats and assorted audio oddities, from downtempo to minimal house. Some of it might be a bit much for the casual listener, but there are some very nice moments, including TV Dogs (Cathodica's Letter). Featuring a rap from leftfield hip hopper Mike Ladd (The Infesticons/The Majesticons), it's a hard assed P-funk-meets-Boards Of Canada bounce with all manner of squelchy electro noises and big orchestral samples - guaranteed to get your head nodding once you get past the arty intro. A very cool mix of hip hop and experimental electronics.



Propaganda
Dr. Mabuse (12" Version)

Another classic 12" of the '80s. Released on THE label of the day, ZTT. Epic Teutonic electro pop of the highest order, this was their debut single. Dr. Mabuse was a fictional character who was made famous by noted German film director Fritz Lang in a series of movies that first appeared in the 1920s. He represented a cold intellect whose one and only aim was destruction of the state. Your typical pop song territory, right? I loved the sound of this track - the hammers, the beats, the chugging bass, the huge delivery of Claudia Brucken, the massive array of synthesizers and drum machines. It was arty and chic, pompous and cold. It utilised all of ZTT's resources, namely Sarm West studios and it's array of Fairlight technology and all of the best studio talent Trevor Horn could round up. It was all embellished with the obscure ramblings of journo Paul Morley. Art pop of the highest quality ensued. I even got the chance to see them live in London at the time, and it was brilliant. Though it may not be their best tune (Jewel/Duel or P Machinery would probably be my top contenders) it is still a classic debut.