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Juan Belda — Juan Belda
(Bandcamp Astronomy ARMCD017, 1986, CD / DL)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2026-05-24

Juan Belda Cover art

Juan Belda is a composer, keyboardist, and multi-instrumentalist from the Canary Islands (technically part of Spain) who has been actively releasing music, both as a solo artist and with his Bit Band for at least four decades. At hand is a reissue of Belda’s first album from 1984, the first time that it has ever been available on CD; the entire album was composed, arranged, and performed by Belda using synthesizers, tapes, loops, and drum machines. There are eight tracks that sit comfortably in the realm of electronic music (vocals are minimal, mostly spoken bits, and artful vocal blasts on “Ban-Balai”), but it pretty much comes from a place far off the beaten path, like no other electronic practitioners of the day so far as I’m aware. Although electronic textures and sounds prevail, much of what’s here seems to be informed by funk or fusion, with deep bass pulses and jazzy interludes that might owe a little credit to the Herbie Hancock school, but not quite — there’s a lot more going on in these grooves than simply what was happening back in ‘84, in fact much of what’s here seems well ahead of its time, and far more experimental, such that it even holds up well a good 42 years later. Set opener “Kay” sets the stage with some field recordings until a heavy beat takes over as a foundation for deep bass pulses and screaming synth blasts, before the pace suddenly picks up and takes the listener into completely new territory. “La Rosa 64” that follows sets up some unusual rhythms using synths, loops, and drum machines, and the result becomes almost danceable at times. Voice treatments and effects form the basis of “Requiem” while wavering synths create the melodic fluid that its all immersed within. The aforementioned “Bam-Balai” presents an almost cartoonish soundscape that stands as the most unusual piece among the eight. The groovy funk stylings of “Pierrot” are a vehicle for synth-horns and other interesting sonic irregularities, while “Outside the World” truly goes full-force into some heady experimental territory. Set closer “El Espejo” begins with an interesting piano figure, quickly joined by unusual blasts of Mellotron, utilizing horns and choir to great effect. In all, Juan Belda’s opening salvo from way back when is about as original as electronic music gets. A must hear.

Filed under: New releases, 1986 releases

Related artist(s): Juan Belda

More info
http://astronomyrecordingmusic.bandcamp.com/album/juan-belda

 

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