Ilitch - Periodikmindtrouble (2000 compi of recordings 1974-1978)

Two and half hours of phenomenal organ/guitar drones, ambient sounds and other strangeness, from French artist Thierry Müller and associates.  Originally a photographer and graphic designer, Müller started making music in the early 1970s, sometimes assisted by his brother Patrick on synth and recording engineer Ruth Ellyeri.  Their first album as Ilitch, Periodik Mindtrouble, was released in 1978.

This double-CD collects all the material released on the LP along with outtakes from it and other early recordings.  Taking the CD running order then, the first thing here is the 25-minute title track which originally filled Side 2 of the LP.  Starting with some frantic, stabbing organ improvisation, it settles down after a few minutes and then begins a hypnotic drone that Terry Riley would've been proud of, adding guitar in the final minutes.  This is followed by the three-part, 23-minute Ballades Urbaines, originally planned for the LP but ditched in favour of newer material, in which environmental recordings are paired with near-formless reverbed guitar.  A further 20 minutes of unreleased material from 1974 rounds out Disc 1, with more organ, this time in gloomy dark ambient mode, bookended by guitar experiments.

All of the 1975-78 material on Disc 2 comes under the heading of 'Innerfilmsequences', and it was from this group of recordings that the finalised first side of the LP took shape.  The CD tracks that appeared on the LP are 2-3, 5, 8-10, although the last one there appears to be a 1999 re-recording.  More guitar and synth abounds, along with harmonium, occasional percussion and tape manipulation.  The unreleased material reveals an absolute treasure trove of lengthy drone pieces: To I Dien for organ, synth and tape and Impasse Raga for harmonium and percussion, both 8 minutes; and two stunning 16-17 minute tracks, which are my favourites on Disc 2, Trans Sud Omnibus for organ and synths, and Voyage (Limit Speed Disintegration) for organ, synth, guitar & tapes.  A hugely recommened collection, especially to fans of Heldon/Richard Pinhas.

Disc 1 link
Disc 2 link
pw: sgtg