Holuzam / Portugal / RE 2026
Intention and chance. In the still unachieved goal of completing the Telectu 1983-1990 reissues, we press onwards, making use of the available resources. In our hands, a physical stock of 200 original covers (and inserts) of the Performance LP. Zero records, though. BUT the original metal stamper is available, and so 200 new discs were manufactured. This is the plan we are now presenting.
Performance was the first Telectu live album. Recorded by Luís Carlos Pereira (the duo's tonemeister) during the IV Cerveira Biennial, which happened between August 4 and September 2, 1984. Released as an LP sometime during 1985 (the earliest mention dates from April). Four out of the five tracks soundtracked performances by Manoel Barbosa and Grupo Neon. The artwork is by Barbosa, based on his "Disgrm" performance at Cerveira. For the first time, a Telectu insert was written in English, very broken.
The music exemplifies the richest and most distinctive period in Telectu's production (1984-85). Deep immersion begins with the loop created for "Eno to La Monte." 12 minutes of gentle pressure, a reminiscence of the familiar feeling from the longer "Palolo," which occupied the entire side 4 on the album Off Off (1984). The process is Eno's, the attempt at stasis is a tribute to La Monte Young. The titles of the remaining tracks are also indicative of various inspirations (Robert Fripp, Fred Frith, Glenn Branca, Saheb Sarbib, John Cage, Terry Riley).
Those inspirations mutated into a body that was, unequivocally, Telectu. Jorge Lima Barreto and Vítor Rua were well aware of who and what influenced them, just as they knew how to apply all that into a musical identity largely misunderstood or simply ignored by the media. Incomparable, therefore somewhat isolated (their own and others' responsibility, the blame is shared), but paradoxically well-traveled (they played all over the country) and, in their own way, humble. Music is pleasure. Above and beyond.
A couple of important warnings: Firstly, when manufacturing a new object from the original physical matrix, any defects resulting from more than four decades of non-professional storage are implicitly assumed. It's basically a minor and brief static-like interference shortly after the start of side 1. Secondly, the covers and accompanying information sheets are victims not so much of storage (many were still in their original kraft paper wrappings out of the printers) but of the material itself being too thin and glossy, causing fingerprints and small dents from casual handling. Another detail: four decades of dried glue cause almost instantaneous detachment of the top and bottom edges when each cover is carelessly opened. Easy solution. A bead of glue along the inside of each flap. All this adds to the fascination and frustration of the physical object. We love it.