T.R.A.S.E.

Archival discovery of supremely endearing bedroom electronic msuic conceived in '80s Manchester Andy Popplewell's T.R.A.S.E., or Tape Recorder and Synthesiser Ensemble, is one of the loveliest reissues to have emerged from the Finders Keepers camp in recent times. Due to the diligent research of Andy Votel, it was only recently coaxed out of Popplewell, who is nowadays a renowned sound engineer/editor and vintage tape baker who's worked for everyone from Alpha Brussels to ZZT. This double LP worth of gear taken from his nascent recordings documents a vital, explorative spirit in bloom, using his homebuilt circuits, equipment and the odd guitar to create rudimentary yet arresting synth-pops nodding to the likes of John Foxx, Ultravox, Joy Division and Kraftwerk. At worst it's derivative songcraft, but at best there are some deeply charming and engrossing instrumental compositions, pieces like the beautifully cosmic billow of 'Harmonium', the prodding, emotive coldwave funk of 'This Life Of Yours (1981vers.) and a later, brooding cinematic number, 'Twilight' from 1987. There really aren't many completely, previously unissued LPs of this calibre knocking around, and a particular dearth of those that feel so naive yet ambitious. Warmest recommendations!