Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, electro-wave. Content: AND’ Ckrystall is a French band that was set up during…
Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, electro-wave.
Content: AND’ Ckrystall is a French band that was set up during the early 80s by Érick Moncollin. The band never gained a big international recognition although they released some interesting electro-wave music.
“Jazz’ Mad” was originally released in 1982 as a vinyl featuring 6 songs. It was the debut release of AND’ Ckrystaéll. This album re-released by several labels like Dark Entries (2012) and Other Voices Records (2013), which released it as a limited cassette format. “Jazz’ Mad Plus” has now been released again, but for the very first time as a CD while the ‘plus’ added to the title refers to 6 extra songs featured on the disc.
If you never heard the 6 original songs, you’ll be pleased to discover a typical old-school minded electro composition, which clearly reflects all the influences of the early 80s. “Cocaina Vitamina” is a funny title for a great piece of music carried by a strong melodic element. This work is a move back to the magic sound of analogue synthesizers. It’s pure vintage electronic music creation revealing this spooky-like synth sounds and typical sound of a rhythm box.
Some songs remained instrumentals while others have were sung with this typical juicy French accent (cf. “Tam Tam Samba”). The work is quite elaborated and I here especially refer to the accomplished “Dragons’ Caravan / Spanik Elektronik”. The song also reveals a few space-like sound treatments while there also is a vague psychedelic flavor hanging over “Haschisch T’Es Pas Cap!”.
The main essence of the bonus songs reveals 3 alternative versions of the main song “Cocaina Vitamina”. The “Trance Version” is pretty cool for the injection of a big kick, making this song more danceable and contemporary.
We also get a live song version of “Puckies Power” and 2 more songs, which you’ll only find on the CD format. I recommend the funny-like “Deutsch Napalm” opening with a passage of the German hymn while moving on into another cool 80s electro composition.
Conclusion: This album definitely deserved to get released on CD format while the bonus tracks made it even more interesting for all of those who already had the original release or some of the re-releases. This is great 80s electronic-pop music.
Best songs: “Cocaina Vitamina”, “Pour L’Amour D’Un Cygne / Puckies Power”, “Haschisch T’Es Pas Cap!”.
Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. And unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
The donations are safely powered by Paypal.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.