ESP Kinetic were Neil Campbell's (Vibracathedral Orchestra/The A-Band/Astral Social Club) first fully-fledged group. Existing between 1982 and 1986 they were one of the first manifestations of the whole post-TG UK DIY avant underground that gave birth to much of the Leeds axis (Ashtray Navigations/Sunroof etc); it was through ESP Kinetic that Campbell hooked up with Richard Youngs, writing to him when Youngs was a member of Omming For Woks. But it's been almost impossible to actually hear what they sounded like up until now - only one cassette album was ever commissioned, from an unknown Finnish label that never replied after receiving the masters, so no one knows if it ever actually came out. Campbell has dug deep into the vaults in order to put together this first ever retrospective of one of the secret influences on the UK underground. Based around the core duo of Campbell and Andrew Watson and also featuring MS Turner and Dougie Smyth, the most immediate reference point is Throbbing Gristle, with new wave keyboards, aggressively nuanced vocals and themes of teenage transgression. The prole threat sound of early Fall is also a big influence, albeit given a crude sci-fi overhaul, alongside PiL, Virgin Prunes, Velvets etc and alla Campbell's later obsessions are already present, especially the woosh of homebaked F/X. It's a fantastic release, even more prescient in the light of the current revived interest in minimal synth/DIY/new wave obscurities and for my money this knocks most of em for shit - if this was now you'd be weeping over it. Comes in a shrunken DVD style case and is very highly recommended.
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PAST TIP OF THE TONGUES
