While new album Kill The Wolf (out Monday, 17 June) has a English, psych rock feel, its creator comedian and musician Matt Berry has another secret music passion: music made by synthesisers and tape. He’s put together this Playlist of his favourite electronic moments.
Jean Michel Jarre – Oxygene Part IV
“Dismissed by many a serious electronic music fan for being too commercial and obviously structured. I personally do not agree. This album/single began life as an unfashionable instrumental record by an unknown artist on an unknown French indie label with no takers. This appeared to be the end of the story until someone from a major label heard how melodic and atmospheric it was and rightfully decided to take a punt on it.”
Tangerine Dream – White Clouds
“Interesting mix of jazz drums and cold melodic synth lines. Makes me imagine a lost skier.”
Aphex Twin – Match Sticks
“An essential listen before entering a doctors or dentists surgery, or asking to borrow money .”
Human League – Things That Dreams Are Made Of (Love & Dancing)
“An incredible track from an incredible electronic album. The Love & Dancing project began life as a mere bonus remix/12-inch album of tracks from the best selling Dare but has, I feel, a whole personality of its own, separate from its sister LP. The most interesting and ambitious pop synth instrumental album ever in my opinion.”
Mike Batt’s Moog At The Movies – For A Few Dollars More
“Mike Batt’s clean and upfront analogue synths complemented with his trade mark oboe is odd so obviously worth spinning.”
NB For A Few Dollars More is currently unavailable
Brian Eno – Through Hollow Lands
“There aren’t many pieces of instrumental electronic music that actual take you out of your situation without drugs. I believe this is one of them.”
Future Sound Of London – Papua New Guinea (Papsico)
“It has the atmosphere and minor chord sequence that seems to be a most successful combination used in making electronic instrumental music .”
Jean Michel Jarre – Equinoxe Part 1
“My favourite beginning of any electronic record. Even better knowing that the lead instrument used is a home organ .”
Banco De Gaia – Soufie
“Great lead melody, not as dated as a lot of early 90s electronica .”
Tangerine Dream – Mysterious Semblance At The Strand Of Nightmares
“This is all about the mellotrons.”
For more head to Themattberry.co.uk. Here’s Berry’s Devil Inside Me.
