Bourbonese Qualk — Bourbonese Qualk

This self-titled release is the next in Klanggalerie’s CD reissue series of albums by Bourbonese Qualk- a UK-based anarchistic and experimental music collective, that existed on-off between the early 1980s and the early 2000s.  Originally released in 1987 it was the collective's ninth album, and it saw a move to slightly more coherent 80’s electronica meets electro-industrial sound, though there are still shifts into more experimental waters, as well as very electro-punk vibe present throughout.
 

The CD comes presented in a glossy four-panel digipak- this takes in the original artwork of blurred tower blocks and night-time cityscapes. With inside fleeting credits, and on the back full track listing. The original album featured fifteen tracks- this reissue adds on three bonus/ unreleased tracks from the same period.
 
For this album, the line-up was just a two-piece- taking in Simon Crab on electronics, guitar, voice, and Steven Tanza-drums, electronics. The sound is a blend of cold chopping, at times wonky electronics/ beats/samples- and more ramshackle new age punk-like vocalizing.

We open with “Skin Deep” which starts off with a tight 80’s electro dance beats ‘n’ key stabs, initially it almost sounds pop bound. But as the structure stays, loops, and later runs wonky- and we addition of shouty anarchic male vocals- this is far from pop. We have the tightly darting-yet-brooding keys and constant alarm pulse of “Dream Decade” which features chanted shouts, and later on wavering/second-hand choir effects. There’s reverberating ethnic kick drum meets woozy sci-fi drone of “Shock Corridor” which has sinister speak ‘n’ spell vocalizing.
 
The second half of the album goes from the churning stream churn beats meets wayward synth horn eeriness of “Dummy-Run”. Onto the backwards keys, sluggish messy drums, and hazed vocal echoes of “Obsession”. The three bonus tracks work well in the context of the album, with it now playing out with the snapping percussion and flotsam 'n' jetsam-like bass lines, machine talk, and waving key stabs…before going all new age-like with bright keys and a mellow, if slightly honking ethnic sax solo.
 
As this self-titled features shorter and often more formal/ straight songcraft- it sits at the more approachable/easy-to-digest end of this collectives’ sound. So, I’d say if the blend of moody 80’s electronica and electro-industrial appeal, give this a go- as it’s one of the better inroads Bourbonese Qualk backcatalogue.