G.M. Wallis is the main force behind the legendary Konstruktivists, a nearly forgotten and often overseen band of the diverse early 80's UK experimental scene. He released several sought-after LPs starting off in 1982, has been a part time member of Whitehouse (around the 'Great White Death' era), collaborated with CTI for the 'Hammer House' EP in 1984 (reissued on 'Collectiv One') and the 1985 album 'Glennascaul' was even produced by Chris Carter.
Konstruktivists reappeared in the beginning of the 90s with a new line-up and techno approach which seemed a bit unfitting on World Serpent at the time. Following releases were spread amongst various small and independent labels all over the world. EE Tapes (once a tape, now a CDR label) from Belgium did a wonderful job on this one. Tasteful artwork accompanies this limited and hand-numbered collection of 14 unpublished and 'lost' tracks recorded between 1982-1999. With only one exception, the bass on "Neukon," G.M. Wallis is the sole artist creating pure electronic soundscapes with his synthesizers.
Half of the tracks are from 1983, a time when Konstruktivists released their probably best known album 'Psykho Genetica' on the long gone Third Mind label, and vary between some of his openly admitted influences: mid-period Kraftwerk, early Tangerine Dream, Neu! and Tuxedomoon ("Joeboy", "Desire" Pts. One & Two). He guides the listener through minimal and sometimes unexpectedly light-hearted synthetic pearls (like "Cologne") with the sovereignty of a man who not only knows his equipment well, but how to use it. Surprisingly only two newer tracks "Pinas R" (1994) and "Gas Mark" (1997) resemble what is commonly referred to as 'Old School Industrial' with distortions, feedback and a more aggressive attitude. The final and most current track, "Russia" is a beautiful outro: melancholy and nostalgia captured with just a few piano and string sounds. The sound quality sometimes lacks a bit of the high gloss finish of the current sounds, but this album works well as a reminder where electronic music took off and shows a substance which is timeless.
 
samples:
 
Read More
