Dahan, Pierre-Alain & Mat Camison: Rythmiques LP

Pierre-Alain Dahan & Mat Camison's Rythmiques is another iconic release in the hallowed Tele Music catalogue. First appearing in 1973, it features tense funk, blunted jazz and heavy breaks all the way. Considered the rightful sequel to Continental Pop Sound, it's a vital album for producers and DJs. French drummer, percussionist and composer Pierre-Alain Dahan was a key member of the legendary Arpadys, Disco & Co, Voyage, Tumblack (with Wally Badarou, Mallia et al!) and Jef Gilson Septet whilst his partner here, Mat Camison, was a pioneering synth LORD. The album opens with the stabbing thriller-funk of "Rythmiques N° 4". The dubbier "Rythmiques N° 5" is no less electric and definitely has a spacey air of wonky funk about it. "Rythmiques N° 6" is more percussive-focused with a brilliantly hypnotic opening that really stretches the drama out. "Rythmique N° 7" alternates between fast-paced, skipping drums and slo-mo funk. The dope jazz of "Rythmique N° 8" truly mesmerizes with licks of electric piano, funky bass flourishes and varied percussion. "Rythmique N° 9" has great, sloppy-yet-hard intro drums which sound like something Daft Punk could've pilfered circa Human After All. The A-Side closes with the beautiful, melancholic "Piano + Piano", a reflective jazzy piano track which could easily open a wide-ranging set this autumn and many after it. Opening Side B, "Auto Rythmiques" is a hectic yet compelling funk workout but it's all about the frankly devastating breakbeats on "Rythmiques N° 10 & N° 11" with effortlessly twisted funk bass lines over open drum breaks and enough tension and rhythmic switch-ups to keep your neck-snapping and your mind lifted. Taking leave from the heavy funk break action, the pastoral "Océan Horizon" is perhaps an unfairly overlooked highlight. A gorgeous, softly-aquatic, ambient gem, it's gently percussive with warm, floaty keys decorating the mellow rhythmic bed. The brief "Super Carrousel" is harmless fun-fair-funk, followed by the intriguingly titled "Gay Shopping." To close out this memorable set we're left with "Suspense N° 1" to get us back on course with its unsurprisingly tense mix of urgent stringed instruments that flirt with rhythm and melody yet the longer the track goes on. The audio for Rythmiques has been remastered by Be With regular Simon Francis. Cicely Balston's expert skills have made sure nothing is lost in the cut whilst the original, iconic Tele Music house sleeve has been restored here at Be With HQ as the finishing touch to this long overdue re-issue.