Name: Synthesizer and Percussion (Themes Reissues)
Brand: Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

BEWITH050LP

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Remastered 180 Gram Vinyl.

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Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2018-11-23

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

4260544826009

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett

Genre GB

Funk / Soul

Label GB

Be With Records

Be With Records is a reissue record label that specializes in officially licensing and releasing vinyl records. They focus on making music available that is currently unavailable or has never been released on vinyl before. The label works closely with artists to ensure they have as much input as they desire.
Their mission is to bring *unreleased* gems and forgotten classics back into the spotlight, allowing music lovers to experience these timeless tracks in their original format. Be With Records carefully selects each release, ensuring the highest quality sound and packaging for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
With an extensive catalog spanning various genres, *artists* from Be With Records have gained recognition for their contributions to the world of music. From soulful melodies to funky beats, their releases offer a diverse range of sounds that appeal to a wide audience. Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to vinyl, Be With Records offers something special for everyone.

Released in the same year as Synthesis over on KPM, 1974's Synthesizer and Percussion is its essential companion piece. “This record features the many distinctive sounds of the ARP Synthesizer plus percussion in various moods and tempos” is the even more underwhelming than usual library record sales pitch for Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett’s second collection of what is basically minimal G-funk, with overtones of primitive acid house. This is ridiculously good. This is one of Hawkshaw and Bennett’s wilder joints and aeons ahead of its time. Bennett’s tough drums provide the underpinnings for the prominent bass, keys and bubbling synths high up in the mix, alongside Hawkshaw’s deranged clavinet-funk-rock. There are heavenly break loops galore.

Opener Mon Amour is ultra-smooth funk, all inter-weaving melodic lines whilst the seminal Oddball is an incredible hard electro strut with a knocking break. Mile High Swinger is a tranquil Spaghetti Western whistling theme over double tempo rhythmic movement and the pulsating Auto Pilot has a percussive groove elevated by electric piano and synthesizer. Check Driving Force, Home Run and Pacesetter for electroid prog-funk dripped in acid squelch. All five final tracks are beatless synth workouts, because they can.

As with all ten re-issues, the audio for Synthesizer and Percussion comes from the original analogue tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM’s brand identity.

Synthesizer and Percussion (Themes Reissues)

Music GB