Electro Rapide

Electro Rapide is most certainly not Jean-Claude Vannier's lost holy grail instrumental album, but given the sparseness of his recorded output, it might as well be. This collection of 14 rarities, which whizzes by in under 25 minutes, is a fascinating, even compelling listen to the composer, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and enigma at an early and creative peak in his strange career. This music was carefully selected from his personal archive, soundtracks of puppet shows and children's programs, and early library music recordings, from 1968-1973. As a whole, what this collection reveals is that certain Vannier trademarks were already in place by 1968 when the jaunty "Road to Cuba" was recorded, with exaggerated, plucked electric basslines, irregular backbeats and drop drums, well-spaced reverb, and taut, often humorous melody lines countered by more brooding, orchestral, harmonic extensions. Some of the best material here is what has remained in the can until now. These selections i