monica rypma – classifieds (1985, reissue)

The finances for ‘Classifieds’ are explained by its front cover, which is plastered with real advertisements. Like similar disco-electronic musicians of the time (think Arthur Russell) there’s an off-kilter structure to Rypma’s beats that could only have been produced by an artist whose vision has yet to be corrupted and obscured. The interludes are suffused by a futuristic IDM which holds hands with the disco, synth-pop base to create a whirling glow. ‘Classifieds’ pivots off its own innocent, DIY creativity and offers inventive approaches to rhythm that sound closer to the present looking behind than the past looking forward. 

23/30

A favourite: ‘Hey, Where You Goin”

‘Classifieds’ was reissued on June 17th by BBE.