Good idea for EM to release this compilation in 2018! To highlight what was said to be Mexico’s first synth-pop/techno group, active from 1981 to 1985.

The band’s founder Alex Eisenring, under the name of Alex Ice & Drinks, was joined by Silvia Candanedo (as Synthia Napalm) and Bernardo Gonzalez (as Bernardo Diz-Fraz); they first produced homemade cassettes and after that only two singles and one album: ‘Syntoma’ (1982), ‘No Me Puedo Controlar’ (1983) and ‘Lost in Space’ (1984). They used synths and drum machines, driven by a freedom-seeking DIY ethos but informed by a “rock-jazz-prog-experimental” background. The first five tracks are instrumental, with arrangements somehow reminding me of ZNR (as in Barricade 3), then follow six vocal tracks (by all three members).

Syntoma transcends the era and stands apart from their peers with a surprising melodic sense, harmonic adventurousness, interesting arrangements and, above all, an atmosphere of freshness and enthusiasm. (label note)

Credits:
Alex Ice & Drinks – KORG MS20, Yamaha PS20, Unidad de ritmos KR55, guitarras, voz.
Synthia Napalm – KORG MS20, voz.
Bernardo Diz-Fraz – KORG MS10, Yamaha PS20, voz.

Guest musicians:
Carlos Robledo – Synthesizer on “Heloderma”.
Jesús Gonzalez – Guitar on “Perdidos en el espacio” (Spanish versión).
Alberto Rocha – Synthesizer on “Coqueteo a go go”, “Mi robot” and “Lost in space” (English versión).

Remastered by Alex Eisenring, final mastering by Takuto Kuratani.

Tracks

1. Engrapadora (Stapler) 05:15
2. Cirugia culinaria (Culinary Surgery) 04:22
3. La novia de mi novia (My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend) 02:44
4. Coqueteo a go go (Go Go Teas) 03:20
5. Heloderma (Gila Monster) 06:23
6. Lost in Space 03:54
7. Mi robot (My Robot) 03:07
8. Homo-estéreo (Human-stereo) 03:30
9. Soy de lo peor (I’m the Worst of the Worst) 03:24
10. Ye – Ye 03:36
11. No me puedo controlar (Can’t Control Myself) 04:08