Georges Vert – An Electric Mind

Having started his musical life as a transposer of classical scores, before a sudden, ephiphanic swerve into synth composition, France’s Georges Vert has constructed a debut LP which reveals the attentiveness of that classical training in every groove. An Electric Mind, however, is not characterised by complexity of structure or melody, being content to chug along in a mixture of Italo, motorik and funk rhythms; the detail, instead, lies in Vert’s awareness of his musical lineages.

Thus, the opening title track flawlessly captures the atmosphere of 80s synth-arpeggiated film soundtracks, overlaying reverb-heavy guitar lines to complete the effect; while cheesy, squelching moogs and rolling funk percussion dominate on pieces like Jovan Freak and Sue Le Vif. That variety does mean that An Electric Mind lacks a sense of direction and cohesion; instead, it feels like a series of vintage collectibles, anachronisms crafted with an unusual sense of history and precision. [Sam Wiseman]