Telex

This electro pop outfit from Brussels, Belgium, was formed in 1978 by Marc Moulin (keyboards), a former member of Cos, and head of the Kamikazee label whose jazz/avant garde output could be aired on his weekend presentation on local Radio Cité. Telex’s personnel was completed by Michael Moers (vocals), and the multi-talented Dan Lacksman, composer, architect, photographer and the country’s first professional synthesizer player. Tearing a leaf from Roxy Music’s book, the group’s records blended state-of-the-art technology and wilfully outmoded pop convention. Following a signing to Sire Records, a 1979 single, ‘Twist A San Tropez’, was taken from Looking For San Tropez which also included the ‘Moskow Diskow’ follow-up as well as diverting versions of Plastic Bertrand’s ‘Ça Plane Pour Moi’ and Bill Haley’s ‘Rock Around The Clock’ (which reached UK number 34 in July). Little more from this promising trio has been heard since. Evidence of their influence on modern dance music can be heard on the remix album I Don’t Like Music, featuring Detroit pioneer Carl Craig.