Nearly a decade before he founded the influential synth pop group
Telex
, Belgian musician and engineer
Dan Lacksman
was making instrumental pop records heavy on Moog synthesizers, accompanied by folky acoustic guitars and steady yet not too hard-driving drums. In the wake of the international success of
Hot Butter
's 1972 cover of
Gershon Kingsley
's "Popcorn," Moog records were being pumped out frequently, and
Lacksman
issued several as
Electronic System
,
Electronic Butterflies
Discotheque Sound
, and other names, often repackaging the same material. Following several configurations of a 1972 debut centered around the perky original "Coconut," as well as the obligatory "Popcorn" remake,
's second proper album appeared in 1973. Using a modular synth system for the first time, he was able to achieve a more advanced sound, filled with intricate details and a wider variety of tonal colors. Mainly consisting of a mixture of originals and Belgian pop hits, the album's highlights are cheery, bubblegummy confections like opener "Top Jerk," with its filtered synth-horns and easygoing rhythm, or the whistling bossa nova of "Dedicated to Gerard." The one universally recognizable tune is "La Bamba," which
had previously covered, but this version stretches past six minutes and is filled with oddly spaced-out synth work, even as the rhythm is steady and straightforward. "Electronic Fair" is a dazzling circus-like waltz, while "Going Back to Moog City" adds touches of funky guitar and bongo drums, leaning closer to
Stand!
-era
Sly & the Family Stone
but with a vaguely country-rock flavor. A few selections are somewhat more downbeat, such as the bluesy "Fats" and the spooky "Moog Jealousy," but even these aren't heavy enough to sink the album's generally optimistic mood. Some of
's other early albums fall on the wrong side of '70s schlock (particularly 1974's unbearably corny
Tchip Tchip
, which is only redeemed by the 14-minute proto-
Air
chillscape "Skylab"), but
Vol. II
is undeniably creative and easily the most enjoyable record from this period of the artist's career. ~ Paul Simpson