On Back Up: Mexican Tecno Pop, Californian label Dark Entries brings us 10 divergent tracks of Mexican electronica from 1980-1989, full of analogue drum machines and cheeky synthesizers. Eight of these tracks were selected from the 2005 CD compilation Backup: Expediente Tecno Pop on AT-AT Records. Two previously unreleased tracks are also included. This release marks the first time many of these songs will appear on vinyl; it is also the first vinyl compilation of Mexican New Wave and post-punk.
While the synth pop and dark electronica of Europe and the United States has been extensively documented, far less attention has been paid to the offerings of the periphery. Back Up is a vital document of Mexico’s burgeoning DIY scene in the 1980s, encompassing a wide range of styles and moods.
Notable influences from those British bands of the time and Spanish pioneers like Aviador Dro appear in these recordings, but with very peculiar contributions that give great value to this compilation.
By using home recording techniques, the bands featured here were able to avoid relying on the expensive studios of the time. Tracks from Avant Garde, Vandana and Silueta Pálida exploit the kind of mournful but infectious vibe that old San Francisco label fans will celebrate. Meanwhile, Volti and Artefacto offer a floor-ready pop sound that has echoes of New York freestyle, with Latin percussion and snare rhythms. But the darker twists are also present, with the New Beat musings of Década 2 and the electro experiments of Syntoma and his side project Escuadrón del Ritmo.
Back Up: Mexican Tecno Pop was remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios. The sleeve is a retro-futuristic retro-futuristic design by Gwenaël Rattke. Also included is a 12-page booklet printed on green, pink and orange paper, with photographs, band biographies, lyrics and liner notes. In vintage fanzine format, it provides an excellent amount of information about the bands featured in this very interesting compilation.
Available for sale on September 24th here
