Bringing together two of Finders Keepers leading artists, longtime critical favourites and out-and-out pioneers of the French conceptual rock scene that we at FK HQ often refer to as the No-No years, Cacophonic are proud to present this rare collaboration between Jean-Claude Vannier and Michel Magne along with pianist Martial Solal for the pioneering Electrode album from 1967. As the creators of the albums that launched both our Finders Keepers and Cacophonic labels respectively it is plain to see how this early LP represents a historic keystone in our precious roster. Electrode also documents the first professional job as an album arranger for the young Vannier, working under two of his heroes, at the tender age of twenty four (some five years before he cemented his relationship with Serge Gainsbourg providing the music for the celebrated Histoire De Melody Nelson).

Marking the earliest example of Vannier’s evident penchant for ethnic influenced string arrangements (inspired by his early studio work with Algerian musicians) Electrode elaborate introductions drawn comparisons to the orchestral elements in the Don Cherry/Ronald Frangipane score for Jodorowsky’s Holy Mountain – complete with its fervent anti-pop overtones. This one-off patchwork arrangement of brooding cinematic flair, anti-concrete soundscapes and free jazz piano flirtations represents each of these important artists in equal proportions and serves as a direct meeting of Vannier’s L’Enfant Assassin Des Mouches (FKR001) and Magne’s Musique Tachiste (1CACK) with the privileged inclusion of one of France’s most lauded jazz pianists – a mantle shared only, in our opinion, by Francois Tusques.

An essential prototypal release for our expanding Cacophonic label Electrode exposes yet another side of off kilter European free music continuing to prove to the die hard skronkophobiacs that jazz is not a four letter word.