Real Gone Music has a reputation for finding some of the finest lost treasures from across genres and the label's most recent announcement is one that's sure to take listeners by surprise. On October 23, Real Gone will reissue three pioneering pieces of synth-pop from Belgian recording engineer and synthesizer artist Daniel Lacksman: Dan Lacksman, Electronic System: Vol. II, and Electronic System: Tchip Tchip (Vol. 3). Originally released in 1973 and 1974, this triptych sees Lacksman utilizing his considerable skills in electronics and music to deliver material that was both innovative and, unlike the music of some of his peers, instantly accessible. Long out-of-print, original copies of these albums fetch hundreds on the secondary market. But come October, these albums will be available both on CD and on limited-edition color vinyl pressings.
Dan Lacksman was the second long-player released by the synthesizer musician and it found him exploring the possible parameters of the singer-songwriter sound that was so popular at the time. In addition to his keyboard wizardry, Lacksman plays guitar and sings, which Real Gone compares to Eno, Wyatt and Ayers with a bit of Belgian Steely Dan thrown in. This progressive yet accessible entry in Lacksman's catalog will be released on CD an on LP in a limited-edition pressing of 900 neon green copies. A further 100 "red with yellow swirl" pressings will be available exclusively from the Real Gone Music Online Store.
The same year that Lacksman released his eponymous album, her released another under the pseudonym The Electronic System. Vol. II featured Lacksman demonstrating his mastery of the modular synthesizer, offering a vast palate of tonalities and textures, whether on his original material or his updated cover of "La Bamba." It will arrive on CD and yellow vinyl (limited to 900 copies) on October 23. A limited "coke bottle clear with blue swirl" color variant will be made available exclusively through Real Gone Music's Online Store.
In 1974, Lacksman followed with Tchip-Tchip, the third volume of Electronic System music. Much of the first side expands on his boundary-defying yet splendidly kitschy amalgam he'd been honing, but lengthier tracks like "Sky Lab" point to trends in progressive music that would follow in the coming decades. Forty years on, original copies of Tchip Tchip are hard to come by without breaking the bank, but Real Gone will bring the album back into print with on CD and orange vinyl, the latter limited to 900 copies. Another 100 "fire orange with black" vinyl copies can be ordered exclusively through Real Gone Music's Online Shop.
Each of these Daniel Lacksman projects has been newly mastered from the original tapes by Lacksman himself. The CDs and LPs will feature liner notes by Bill Kopp drawing from new interviews with the artist. The extensive booklets also boast plenty of rare photos from Lacksman's personal archive.
All the CD and vinyl configurations for these singular albums are set to arrive October 23. You can find the full track listings for the albums below, alongside pre-order links to Amazon and your local record shop.
Daniel Lacksman, Dan Lacksman (originally Blue Elephant - BE 811.004-Y, 1973 -- reissued Real Gone Music, 2020)
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
Neon Green LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
Red with Yellow Swirl LP: Real Gone Music
Side 1:
1. Love You Every Day
2. Sunshine Is Gone
3. Jet Set Woman
4. Happiness Is a Cold Beer
5. Monday Morning
6. I Start a Dream Today
Side 2:
1. Skylab
2. Sad Way
3. In the Middle of the Road
4. Give It Up
5. When We're Looking at the Barmaid
6. For Mary
Daniel Lacksman, Electronic System Vol. II (originally Omega International LP OM 222.017-Y, 1973 -- reissued Real Gone Music, 2020)
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
Yellow LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
Coke Clear with Blue Swirl LP: Real Gone Music
Side 1:
1. Top Jerk
2. Dedicated to Gerard
3. Fats
4. I Start a Dream Today
5. La Bamba No. 2
Side 2:
1. Plic-Ploc
2. Electronic Flair
3. Moog Jealousy
4. Going Back to Moog City
5. It's Raining Today
6. Top Tang
Billy Dojcak says
It's about time. I've been trying to find some of these forever.