CTI – European Rendezvous - CTI Live 1983

Heartbeat, Trance, Songs of Love & Lust, Elemental 7 and this album, 'European Rendezvous - CTI Live 1983' represent an extraordinary period of creativity for both Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti (also exemplified in their solo work with Carter's 1980 'The Space Between' and his 1985 'Mondo Beat' as well as Cosey's 1983 'Time To Tell' release). In the immediate aftermath of the TG split, between 1980 and 1985, just five short years, these eight releases provide a strange gestalt (or at least outline the board contours (& some shading on the way) of how the next four decades of electronic music expresses itself.

Of course there are exceptions; Gabba, Drum & Bass, Hardcore Trance come to mind, but in broad strokes, Chris and Cosey created some of the most original, experimental & sometimes beautiful electronic music of the late 20th Century.

Back in my early 20s, I bought European Rendezvous on the strength of the Elemental 7 album (which I'd bought off a practitioner of chaos magick) and at the time I found it the least interesting of the C&C t and solo releases. Fast forward to 2024 and my opinion has completely changed and I'd argue the world has caught up to its European Rendezvous. The sparse arrangements now sound curiously contemporary in a way I've never considered before.

I'm guessing this will get a vinyl reissue soon and no doubt like the Colletiv 3 CD release, it will be in a truncated form, just like the Elemental 7 reissue. Why you would do this is a mystery as fans would have rejoiced over a 2 album iteration of Elemental 7, especially having a full length version of Dancing Ghosts; historically, their most significant track as it was recorded with a 303 & 808 in 1982, a contender with the Indian 'Ten Ragas for a Disco Beat' for the first record to feature both instruments).

At the very least, a double album of Elemental 7 and European Rendezvous would make an essential Record Day purchase.