French Minimal Wave survivor Philippe Laurent flies high on the Bristol-based Peripheral Minimal with a pair of handsome synth-pop and EBM  tunes, plus an unreleased 13-minute goodie from 1982!

Dead smart from whatever angle you view it, the EP turns from sweetly haunting synth-pop sung in languorous Chason style on "Phoenix", then with funkier, Kraftwerkian sort of drama elaborated in "Agapao".

Doubtless the highlight is his formerly unreleased B-side, "Exposition 4", a wiry 13 minute workout dancing on spiky drum machines and unfolding thru myriad permutations of sequencer patterns to sound quite unlike, and longer, than most other gear from this period. The length and arrangement is really closer to a much later psychedelic techno track or something.

- Boomkat

Background/Info: Philippe Laurent belongs to the early French electronic & experimental school. This pioneer was mainly active during the 80s. Some of his work and rare tracks got re-released during the past few years. This vinyl reveals 2 new cuts plus one early, unreleased tracks from 1982.

Content: No doubt about it, Philippe Laurent is an artist from the 80s. His typical experimental- and minimal electronic sonorities will directly bring you back to the early days of electronics. Its totally vintage like and the vocals also remind the typical production of the past. The new cuts feel like they were composed more than 30 years ago and still have this analog magic.

The extra cut on the B-side sounds like featuring different parts, but remains faithful to the sound of the artist. Its dreamier- and even a bit pop-like while driven by a slow cadence.

If you like the unique, vintage like sounds of early synthesizers, “Phoenix” will definitely satisfy your expectations. The new tracks dont sound like they were composed today and are in the truest 80s spirit. I like this vintage sound, which will probably remind other and maybe more famous pioneers. The vinyl format reinforces the original taste of minimal-electronics. This vinyl is strictly limited, which will make it only more interesting for all lovers of this kind of sonic sensation.

“Phoenix” remains pretty experimental, which means that its not always the easiest electronic format to listen to. It first of all is a work that will appeal for the fans of this artist and other lovers of minimal electro experiences.

Conclusion: Even new work of Philippe Laurent has this particular vintage touch, which made this artist famous. This kind of music is that much more creative than contemporary productions made of predictable songs and structures.

Best songs: “Expostion 4”, “Phoenix”.

- Side-line Magazine