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!”.

Rate: (DP:7½)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/erick.moncollin

Label: www.othervoicesrecords.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Other-Voices-Records/196767663702999

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com