Heldon – Electronique Guerilla

Nothing else in 1974 sounded like the Heldon debut. French expansive electronic rock geared for the intellect rather than finger snapping toe tapping public. Heldon gave you tape loops, fuzz sustained guitar, spiraling analog synth bleeps and spoken word all in one angular package of music. Being quite acquainted with prog/Berlin school/jazz fusion I feel this music was fresh and forward moving without ever dipping into the disjointed avant guard. This ensemble wasn't obviously looking for popularity but them again thinking mans music rarely attracts the common ear. Superb release.

I'm searching for the 7" only. Please contact me if you have a copy to sell.

from my article "From the land of Schizo and beyond..." in Audion 23 (Nov.1992)
Released in Richard's own Disjuncta Records (originally in an edition of 1000 copies) the first Heldon album, curiously entitled GUERILLA ELECTRONIQUE, collated a Schizo track together with solo guitar loop and electronic works, and also a track in collaboration with another talented guitarist: Alain Renaud; for a debut LP this was, and still is, quite a remarkable release, featuring a wealth of invention, with much use of guitar effects, tape delay and electronics. Looking back, there are many obvious comparisons with the music of Fripp & Eno, and not surprisingly Richard revered Robert Fripp as the foremost master of the guitar. Yet it is curious to note (quoting Richard himself) that 'Heldon 1 was released in '74 at the same time Muff Winwood released the first Fripp & Eno', and that whilst the music of Fripp & Eno involved long evolutive sound fabrics, the early Heldon sound was more angular and captured in small composed morsels. Heldon music had its own identity.

A warning! Check the number of tracks on the vinyl before buying / selling a copy of this, or have a listen. A pressing exists that has the Cobra issue of Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias LP as the music instead. Several 100 copies were found like this in a London deletions wholesale warehouse in the 1980s.