Jean-Jacques Perrey
Encyclopedia
Jean-Jacques Perrey is a French electronic music producer and was an early pioneer in the genre. He is best known within the sphere of popular music as a member of the influential electronic music duo Perrey and Kingsley
, and for his unusually light-hearted style of music.
. Quitting medical school, Perrey travelled through Europe demonstrating this keyboard ancestor of the modern synthesizer. At the age of 30, Perrey relocated to New York, sponsored by Caroll Bratman, who built him an experimental laboratory and recording studio. Here he invented "a new process for generating rhythms with sequences and loops", utilising the environmental sounds of "musique concrète." With scissors, splicing tape, and tape recorders, he spent weeks piecing together a uniquely comique take on the future. Befriending Robert Moog
, he became one of the first Moog synthesiser musicians, creating "far out electronic entertainment". In 1965 Perrey met Gershon Kingsley
, a former colleague of John Cage
. Together, using Ondioline and Perrey's loops, they created two albums for Vanguard — The In Sound From Way Out (1966) and Kaleidoscopic Vibrations (1967). Perrey and Kingsley collaborated on sound design for radio and television advertising. Perrey returned to France, composing for television, scoring for ballet and continuing medical research into therapeutic sounds for insomniacs.
released an instrumental CD
titled, as a tribute to Perrey & Kingsley, The In Sound From Way Out. Two themes from Perrey, "The Elephant Never Forgets" and "Baroque Hoedown" were used in Mexico by the writer/ comedian Roberto Gomez Bolaños
"Chespirito", as the main themes for his comedy shows El Chavo Del Ocho and El Chapulin Colorado
. A 2009 lawsuit by the composers against Mexican multimedia conglomerate Televisa
was settled in 2010, as a compensation for the network's non-payment of the use of these melodies. A previous lawsuit by Vanguard Records was settled, with plaintiff Vanguard receiving a sum of One Million dollars in damages for unauthorized use of Perrey's recordings on the Mexican network, without permission or payment.
A cover version of "Baroque Hoedown" was the main theme for Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade
. One theme from Perrey, "Gossipo Perpetuo" has been used in Sweden by the comedians Anders och Måns in their selftitled comedy show on Swedish television. His 1970 song "E.V.A" was sampled by several rap artists, most notably Gang Starr
on "Just to Get a Rep" (1991) and also House of Pain
on "Fed Up (Remix)" (1996).
Perrey's return from obscurity began in 1997, when he started recording in Bordeaux, France with David Chazam. Their album Eklectronics was first released on vinyl in France only, in 1998. A CD version of the album was released in Holland on the BASTA label, with several additional tracks added. The year 2000 also saw his collaborative CD with Gilbert Sigrist, released. "Circus of Life" was first released as a "library" recording, for TV and Radio (France only), then released on Perrey's own PHMP label.
The year 2006, saw the release of the CD The Happy Electropop Music Machine on Oglio Records, of Los Angeles, CA. The CD was a collaboration with musician/arranger Dana Countryman
. The two toured the West Coast of America to promote the CD.
Also, in 2006, Perrey began collaborating with producer Luke Vibert
for a CD on England's Lo Records: Moog Acid
. The result is a blend of retro and modern analogue house synth-pop, encapsulating many genres and the two respective styles of the artists. The CD was released in 2007.
Perrey's current CD release is Destination Space, also on Oglio Records (2008). It is also a collaboration with Dana Countryman
. The duo performed concerts in New York City, and Montreal in Oct., 2008, to promote its release. This CD is remarkable, in light of the fact that Perrey was almost 80 years old, when it was released.
Perrey's 1974 moog track, "Boys And Girls," on which he collaborated with Gilbert Sigrist, is used for the closing credits music in the Nickelodeon
cartoon series, The Mighty B!
Perrey's song "Chicken on the Rocks" was used in the TV Series South Park
. It played as Randy Marsh and friends bounced on their oversized testicles while consuming medicinal marijuana. The tune of the song, which derives from the folk song Chicken Reel
, has also appeared as the theme song for Astro Chicken and Ms. Astro Chicken in the Space Quest
games by Sierra.
Perrey and Kingsley
The musical duo Perrey and Kingsley are pioneers in the field of electronic music. Before their collaboration, starting in 1965, electronic music was considered to be purely avant-garde...
, and for his unusually light-hearted style of music.
Biography
Perrey was born in France in 1929. He was studying medicine in Paris when he met George Jenny, inventor of the OndiolineOndioline
The Ondioline is an electronic keyboard instrument, invented in 1941 by the Frenchman Georges Jenny, and is a forerunner of today's synthesizers.The Ondioline was capable of creating a wide variety of sounds...
. Quitting medical school, Perrey travelled through Europe demonstrating this keyboard ancestor of the modern synthesizer. At the age of 30, Perrey relocated to New York, sponsored by Caroll Bratman, who built him an experimental laboratory and recording studio. Here he invented "a new process for generating rhythms with sequences and loops", utilising the environmental sounds of "musique concrète." With scissors, splicing tape, and tape recorders, he spent weeks piecing together a uniquely comique take on the future. Befriending Robert Moog
Robert Moog
Robert Arthur Moog , commonly called Bob Moog was an American pioneer of electronic music, best known as the inventor of the Moog synthesizer.-Life:...
, he became one of the first Moog synthesiser musicians, creating "far out electronic entertainment". In 1965 Perrey met Gershon Kingsley
Gershon Kingsley
Gershon Kingsley a contemporary German American composer, is well known as a pioneer of electronic music and the Moog synthesizer and founder of the First Moog Quartet, as a partner in the famous electronic music duo Perrey and Kingsley, and for his rock-inspired compositions for Jewish religious...
, a former colleague of John Cage
John Cage
John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, music theorist, writer, philosopher and artist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde...
. Together, using Ondioline and Perrey's loops, they created two albums for Vanguard — The In Sound From Way Out (1966) and Kaleidoscopic Vibrations (1967). Perrey and Kingsley collaborated on sound design for radio and television advertising. Perrey returned to France, composing for television, scoring for ballet and continuing medical research into therapeutic sounds for insomniacs.
Influence and recent collaboration
The rap group Beastie BoysBeastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
released an instrumental CD
The In Sound from Way Out! (Beastie Boys album)
The In Sound from Way Out! is an instrumental compilation by the Beastie Boys, released in 1996. The title and cover art concept were borrowed from the Perrey and Kingsley album of the same name.-CD version:#"Groove Holmes" – 2:33#"Sabrosa" – 3:30...
titled, as a tribute to Perrey & Kingsley, The In Sound From Way Out. Two themes from Perrey, "The Elephant Never Forgets" and "Baroque Hoedown" were used in Mexico by the writer/ comedian Roberto Gomez Bolaños
Roberto Gómez Bolaños
Roberto Gómez Bolaños is a Mexican writer, actor, director, comedian, humorist, songwriter, poet and philosopher. He is best known by his stage name Chespirito .-Life and work:...
"Chespirito", as the main themes for his comedy shows El Chavo Del Ocho and El Chapulin Colorado
El Chapulín Colorado
El Chapulín Colorado is a television series, created and played by Roberto Gómez Bolaños, also known as Chespirito, a successful Mexican comedian and TV show producer, which parodied superhero shows...
. A 2009 lawsuit by the composers against Mexican multimedia conglomerate Televisa
Televisa
Televisa is a Mexican multimedia conglomerate, the largest mass media company in Latin America and in the Spanish-speaking world. It is a major international entertainment business, with much of its programming airing in the United States on Univision, with which it has an exclusive contract...
was settled in 2010, as a compensation for the network's non-payment of the use of these melodies. A previous lawsuit by Vanguard Records was settled, with plaintiff Vanguard receiving a sum of One Million dollars in damages for unauthorized use of Perrey's recordings on the Mexican network, without permission or payment.
A cover version of "Baroque Hoedown" was the main theme for Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade
Main Street Electrical Parade
The Main Street Electrical Parade is a regularly scheduled parade, created by Bob Jani and project director Ron Miziker, famous for its long run at Disneyland at the Disneyland Resort most summers between 1972–1974, 1977–1982, and 1985-1996...
. One theme from Perrey, "Gossipo Perpetuo" has been used in Sweden by the comedians Anders och Måns in their selftitled comedy show on Swedish television. His 1970 song "E.V.A" was sampled by several rap artists, most notably Gang Starr
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop.-Background:...
on "Just to Get a Rep" (1991) and also House of Pain
House of Pain
House of Pain is an American hip hop group who released three albums in the 1990s before lead rapper Everlast left to pursue his solo career again. The group's name is a reference to the H.G. Wells novel The Island of Dr...
on "Fed Up (Remix)" (1996).
Perrey's return from obscurity began in 1997, when he started recording in Bordeaux, France with David Chazam. Their album Eklectronics was first released on vinyl in France only, in 1998. A CD version of the album was released in Holland on the BASTA label, with several additional tracks added. The year 2000 also saw his collaborative CD with Gilbert Sigrist, released. "Circus of Life" was first released as a "library" recording, for TV and Radio (France only), then released on Perrey's own PHMP label.
The year 2006, saw the release of the CD The Happy Electropop Music Machine on Oglio Records, of Los Angeles, CA. The CD was a collaboration with musician/arranger Dana Countryman
Dana Countryman
Dana Countryman is an American electronic music composer and performer notable for his collaboration with French electropop artist Jean-Jacques Perrey. In addition, he was a songwriter and performer in the cabaret-act quartet The Amazing Pink Things...
. The two toured the West Coast of America to promote the CD.
Also, in 2006, Perrey began collaborating with producer Luke Vibert
Luke Vibert
Luke Vibert is a British recording artist and producer known for his work in many subgenres of electronic music. Vibert began his musical career as a member of the Hate Brothers, only later branching out into his own compositions...
for a CD on England's Lo Records: Moog Acid
Moog Acid
Moog Acid is a release credited to Jean-Jacques Perrey and Luke Vibert, featuring remixes by Jackson and his Computer Band and Plastician. The album was released as a 12" vinyl record...
. The result is a blend of retro and modern analogue house synth-pop, encapsulating many genres and the two respective styles of the artists. The CD was released in 2007.
Perrey's current CD release is Destination Space, also on Oglio Records (2008). It is also a collaboration with Dana Countryman
Dana Countryman
Dana Countryman is an American electronic music composer and performer notable for his collaboration with French electropop artist Jean-Jacques Perrey. In addition, he was a songwriter and performer in the cabaret-act quartet The Amazing Pink Things...
. The duo performed concerts in New York City, and Montreal in Oct., 2008, to promote its release. This CD is remarkable, in light of the fact that Perrey was almost 80 years old, when it was released.
Perrey's 1974 moog track, "Boys And Girls," on which he collaborated with Gilbert Sigrist, is used for the closing credits music in the Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
cartoon series, The Mighty B!
The Mighty B!
The Mighty B! is an American animated television series co-created by Amy Poehler, Cynthia True and Erik Wiese for Nickelodeon. The series centers on Bessie Higgenbottom, an ambitious Honeybee girlscout that believes she will become a superhero called the Mighty B if she collects every Honeybee badge...
Perrey's song "Chicken on the Rocks" was used in the TV Series South Park
South Park
South Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
. It played as Randy Marsh and friends bounced on their oversized testicles while consuming medicinal marijuana. The tune of the song, which derives from the folk song Chicken Reel
Chicken Reel
"Chicken Reel" is a dance tune. It was composed by Joseph M. Daly in 1910. Joseph Mittenthal added lyrics in 1911.Along with "Turkey in the Straw," "Chicken Reel" is probably best known for its use in early animated cartoons as a catchy tune used to represent animal activity. Originally composed...
, has also appeared as the theme song for Astro Chicken and Ms. Astro Chicken in the Space Quest
Space Quest
Space Quest is a series of six comedic science fiction computer games that follow the adventures of a hapless janitor named Roger Wilco, as he campaigns through the galaxy for "truth, justice and really clean floors"....
games by Sierra.
As Perrey and Kingsley
- The In Sound From Way Out!The In Sound From Way Out! (Perrey and Kingsley album)The In Sound from Way Out! was the first collaboration between electronic musicians Perrey and Kingsley and considered to be the first-ever mainstream electronic music album. It was released in 1966 on Vanguard Records, an independent label in Santa Monica, California.Perrey and Kingsley came...
(1966) - Kaleidoscopic Vibrations: Spotlight on the MoogKaleidoscopic Vibrations: Spotlight on the MoogKaleidoscopic Vibrations: Spotlight on the Moog was the second collaboration between electronic musicians Perrey and Kingsley. It was released in 1967 on Vanguard Records, an independent label in Santa Monica, California.-Track listing:...
(1967)
As Jean-Jacques Perrey
- Prelude au Sommeil (1957) [France only]
- Cadmus, Le Robot de l'Espace (1959) [France Only]
- Mr. Ondioline (1960) [EP]
- Musique Electronique Du Cosmos (1962)
- The Amazing New Electronic Pop Sound of Jean Jacques Perrey (1968)
- The Happy Moog (1969)
- Moog IndigoMoog IndigoMoog Indigo is the eighth solo album by electronic music pioneer Jean-Jacques Perrey. It was released in 1970 on Vanguard Records, an independent label...
(1970) - Moog Sensations (1971)
- Moog Expressions (1972)
- Quadraphonic Demonstration Album - Program 2 (1972)
- Moog Generation (1973)
- Mig Mag Moog (1974)
- Moog Is Moog (1975)
- Dynamoog (with Gilbert Sigrist) (1978)
- Kartoonery (1980)
- Good Moog - Astral Animations & Komputer Kartoons (1998)
- Circus of Life (with Gilbert Sigrist) (1999)
- Eclektronics (with David Chazam) (2000)
- The Happy Electropop Music Machine (with Dana CountrymanDana CountrymanDana Countryman is an American electronic music composer and performer notable for his collaboration with French electropop artist Jean-Jacques Perrey. In addition, he was a songwriter and performer in the cabaret-act quartet The Amazing Pink Things...
)(2006) - Moog AcidMoog AcidMoog Acid is a release credited to Jean-Jacques Perrey and Luke Vibert, featuring remixes by Jackson and his Computer Band and Plastician. The album was released as a 12" vinyl record...
(with Luke VibertLuke VibertLuke Vibert is a British recording artist and producer known for his work in many subgenres of electronic music. Vibert began his musical career as a member of the Hate Brothers, only later branching out into his own compositions...
) (2007) - Destination Space (with Dana CountrymanDana CountrymanDana Countryman is an American electronic music composer and performer notable for his collaboration with French electropop artist Jean-Jacques Perrey. In addition, he was a songwriter and performer in the cabaret-act quartet The Amazing Pink Things...
)(2008)