A much needed single compilation from one of France's electronic pioneers. In short form, Pinhas proved to be quite the rocker more so than his electronic focused albums with Heldon and as a solo artist. I've heard most of these in bits and pieces, some sitting on cd-r's. So it's really great to have them all in one place.
The first Schizo 45 from 1972 is a real foot stomper. Heavy wah wah bass and guitars and gravelly vocals similar to the guy from Ergo Sum. It's a long way from anything Pinhas ever did afterward, but it would have been a great path to follow, had he chosen to. The second Schizo 45 (1973) is really the first Heldon work and gone are the vocals (though there's narration). The a) side finds itself on Electronique Guerilla with a different mix, but no less haunting. Patrick Gauthier's 'Torcol' is the b) side, and foreshadows Heldon's more progressive rock tracks. Both Schizo 45s are excellent and not to be missed.
The 3rd single is Heldon's Soutien a la RAF. At 15 minutes, it's really an EP (and it's 33 rpm). Released in 1975, this is where Pinhas gets back to his rocking roots of Schizo, and contains heavy Moog sequencing with his patented tortured 1954 Les Paul. One has to laugh that these were released as "singles". Not exactly AM Bubblegum here... The 4th SP release (1976) is where the Perspectives title takes hold. Recorded during the Agneta Nilsson sessions, once again it's more on the rocking side than the album proper.
T.H.X. (1978) was Pinhas' attempt to join in with JP Massiera and others for the Parisian disco set. A long way from New York's Studio 54, France had some very interesting electronic artists playing in that field. Once you get your mind around the time and place - and don't expect Heldon - then this is a very fine 45 as well. And the b) side is more traditional Pinhas solo fare, with Rhizosphere back in the limelight.
The next single is a complete mystery. I cannot find evidence it exists anywhere. There is a scan of it in the booklet, but it's too small to read. From 1977 (and they put a question mark on that too) on Cobra (catalog number 10.019), the single features two edited tracks from Rhizosphere. My best guess is this is a test press that was never released, and was in Pinhas' personal collection. Anyone know more about this?
This is followed by two singles from the East West era (1980). Arguably this is Pinhas' most commercial effort, and brings back vocals and a slight new wave edge. I was harsh on that album back in the 80s, but I found myself really enjoying the music here on this go round. 'West Side' is on both singles and is the same track, so it's only represented once here.
It should be noted that most of these - if not all - are taken straight from the vinyl, and it's obvious at times. All the same, this collection is a can't miss item for Heldon and Pinhas fans.
Ownership: CD: 2006 Captain Trip (Japan). Recent online acquisition. Comes in a fine mini-LP silver single sleeve with a booklet showing the credits and pictures for each entry here. There is an essay as well, but it's in Japanese. I had wanted to get this CD or LP much sooner, but there was a collection complication. Years ago, I ended up with the mini-LP box for Pinhas' Rhizosphere - with no CDs in it. It was super cheap, so why not? I had no intention of filling it - until I did. The box was intended to include Rhizosphere, Chronolyse, Iceland, and this compilation. The others were easy to find and inexpensive, but this one was elusive at a reasonable price. Finally a copy showed up, and I nailed it. And here we are.
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