Décalé Records and Bongo Joe Records explore the Swiss experimental and electronic scene of the ‘80s and the early ‘90s on this new compilation Intenta.

Think Music from Memory’s essential foray Deviant Pop from 2018 – Intenta is a much needed re-up of expertly chosen nuggets of blissed-out ambience, experimental rhythms and cosmic jazz. Here are exceptional musicians, taking their initial and best journeys, into a new way of production, sound and sensibility.

There’s plenty of weirdo grooves too, next to lyrical post-punk excursions and proto-house experimentation across 17 tracks. It’s a great voyage by compilers Matthias Orsett and Maxi Fischer into the underground in Switzerland between 1981 and 1993.

The arrival of synthesisers and samplers helped DIY Swiss music-making to evolve throughout the ’80s, inspiring a politicised youth movement, who were slowly embracing techno and dance music culture. Their hunger for the avant-garde really stands out.

Artists compiled include Air Project, Sky Bird, D-Sire, Peter Philippe Weiss, Claudine Chirac (below), Olivier Rogg, Carlos Perón, Andreas Hofer.

Also, Bells of Kyoto, Fizzè, Aborted at Line 6, Carol Rich, UnknownmiX, Dressed Up Animals, Elephant Château, I Suonatori.

It’s another choice collection of European nu-wave and post-punk, following La Contra Ola – Synth Wave And Post Punk From Spain 1980-86, on the Geneva based label. Les Disques Bongo Joe have built up an impressive catalogue following their first release in 2015, compiling music from all over the globe. They’re really stepped up of late though, blending reissued obscurities, intuitive psychedelic selections and taste-setting expertise across a range of recent titles and being a fertile home for artists. More on Bongo Joe soon.

Intenta is out now, cop it at Bongo Joe’s Bandcamp page.