Mathematiques Modernes - 1981 - Les Visiteurs Du Soir

Mathematiques Modernes 

1981

Les Visiteurs Du Soir

01. Paris Tokyo 4:14

02. TV Night 3:23

03. A + B = C 3:53

04. Jungle Hurt 7:12

05. Disco Rough 4:14

06. Boy Be My Toy 3:12

07. Réponds-Moi 4:02

08. Athletical Mystery 3:21

09. TV Night (Instrumental) 3:15

Drums – Hervé Zenouda

Keyboards – Claude Arto

Saxophone – Bruce Grant

Trombone – Glenn Ferris

Trumpet – Longineu Parsons

Vocals – Edwige Braun-Belmore

Two well-dressed young people gaze with determined eyes in a direction that escapes us. Behind, the image of a Paris destroyed by an imaginary war, having beheaded the Eiffel Tower in a dry black and white. Above, a terrible and unstoppable group name: Modern Mathematics. We are in 1981, in France, and synth-pop lives more or less long hours, depending on whether we look from the good (Elli & Jacno) or from the bad side (Taxi Girl). So here is the adventure of synthesizers embarked on a couple formed by Edwige Belmore, icon of trendy parties of the time, and a certain Claude Arto, who, with the help of a producer who is none other than Jacno , had released in 1980, a first Devo single, stupid, repetitive and perfect, entitled Disco-Rough, single of the week for the NME. A year later, it is therefore their only album which comes out, entitled Les Visitors Du Soir, which finally comes out, and yet today forgotten in the dust. And yet, and yet, what a great album.

Far from being naive and silly in their attempt to make pop - like others in their time - Modern Mathematics have succeeded in creating a disc that is both surprisingly ambitious and whose careful production has not aged a bit. in 30 years. Everything is said from the first track "Paris-Tokyo", electro-pop pearl with a thousand ideas, between curious dissonances, rhythmic that break and brass under cocaine - all held by the cold but so French voice of Edwige, somewhere between sweet recitation and robotic singing. Right after "TV Night" diffracts in full of strange structures, under incredible synthetic sounds, of which Vangelis would be proud. At the end, the strange mutant groove of Athletical Mystery explodes with strident violins with curious rhythms and plays on a disturbing falsehood, while speaking of intersidereal sportsmen making shine the Olympic torch "above all the satellites". And then when it comes to being just plain pop, nothing beats the coldness of "A + B = C", making them depressed Elli & Jacno. And then always this Disco-Rough, on kraut drums but with a brain made of molasses, which honestly sounds as if French people with synthesizers were playing again (fifteen years before ...) the music of Crash Bandicoot with the drummer of Neu ! saying bullshit. And it is beautiful. And that's stupid. And it is elegant. And that is modern mathematics. And that’s perfect. while speaking of intersidereal sportsmen shining the Olympic torch "above all the satellites". And then when it comes to being just plain pop, nothing beats the coldness of "A + B = C", making them depressed Elli & Jacno. And then always this Disco-Rough, on kraut drums but with a brain made of molasses, which honestly sounds as if French people with synthesizers were playing again (fifteen years before ...) the music of Crash Bandicoot with the drummer of Neu ! saying bullshit. And it is beautiful. And that's stupid. And it is elegant. And that is modern mathematics. And that’s perfect. while speaking of intersidereal sportsmen shining the Olympic torch "above all the satellites". And then when it comes to being just plain pop, nothing beats the coldness of "A + B = C", making them depressed Elli & Jacno. And then always this Disco-Rough, on kraut drums but with a brain made of molasses, which honestly sounds as if French people with synthesizers were playing again (fifteen years before ...) the music of Crash Bandicoot with the drummer of Neu ! saying bullshit. And it is beautiful. And that's stupid. And it is elegant. And that is modern mathematics. And that’s perfect. them depressed Elli & Jacno. And then always this Disco-Rough, on kraut drums but with a brain made of molasses, which honestly sounds as if French people with synthesizers were playing again (fifteen years before ...) the music of Crash Bandicoot with the drummer of Neu ! saying bullshit. And it is beautiful. And that's stupid. And it is elegant. And that is modern mathematics. And that’s perfect. them depressed Elli & Jacno. And then always this Disco-Rough, on kraut drums but with a brain made of molasses, which honestly sounds as if French people with synthesizers were playing again (fifteen years before ...) the music of Crash Bandicoot with the drummer of Neu ! saying bullshit. And it is beautiful. And that's stupid. And it is elegant. And that is modern mathematics. And that’s perfect.

Released in 1981 on the famous Celluloid imprint, this masterpiece has been out of print since its initial pressing. Mathématiques Modernes was the project of keyboardist Claude Arto and vocalist/lyricist Edwige Braun-Belmore. Arto has also worked with French bands Artefact and Spions. Also, to note, the late French producer Jacno also worked on the Mathématiques Modernes record. This gem needs no introduction to the fans who have enjoyed the classics from this era. The record is a very diverse blend of new wave, almost progressive arrangement, baroque melodies, complex rhythmic structures, and plenty of so called “cold wave” sprinkled in. The addition of horns was not a common finding during these times and is also represented on this eclectic record. Probably the most well known track, “Disco Rough” was a single as well as was later included on the popular comp, “So Young But So Cold, Underground French Music 1977-1983” released in 2004 on Tigersushi Records. It is staple in many DJ sets with its sassy lyrics and jagged synth hooks. The album features string arrangements which was somewhat unique to the new wave scene. Most notably, the track “Jungle Hurt” displays the wonderful arrangements that interface well with the synth textures and percussion. The track “A + B = C” has also been featured on various “Flexi-pop” comps and has a quirky melody accented by xylophone. The final track on the LP is an interesting medley of various tracks on the LP with interesting transitions. This LP has become very collectable for original copies and (when rarely found) is quite expensive. The original tape masters have been restored and remastered by Gilbert Castro of Celluloid Records. The sound quality is unparalleled. This project has been the collaboration between Mathématiques Modernes, Gilbert Castro, and Medical Records. The jacket features original reproduction artwork on the front and back. This record will surely need to make a mandatory arrival in the collections of fans of French new wave, early synthpop, and lovers of all things late 70s/early 80s.

A seminal example of French "cold wave" music from the early 80s. Jungle Hurt is the most beautiful track that nobody has ever heard - an intoxicating mix of synth & strings. Lost the original LP decades ago - so glad to have it back again!