Robert Rental was one of the British electronic pioneers in the late 70's with a legendary and legendary minimal output. A collaborative LP with fellow Scotsman Thomas Leer on Industrial Records, two 7" singles 'Paralysis' on (his own) Regular and 'Double Heart' on Mute and a live recording with The Normal / Daniel Miller on Rough Trade and that was about it. 'Mental Detentions' was his first self-released home recorded collection of demos from 1979 and near impossible to find.
He died already in 2000 and since then a few posthum releases and reissues where published; the more song orientated 1980 Demos 'Different Voices For You' on Optimo (and later on Klanggalerie), Untitled session recordings with Glenn Wallis / Konstruktivists from 1979 on Dark Entries.

The overall mood captured here is the bleak, post-punk atmosphere of late 70's England, unlike German Krautrock musicians who escaped into fantasy realms with help of spacey electronics this is minimal, existential and purist stuff close to early Cabaret Voltaire. All instrumental with the exception of some sampled radio voices "Vox Scientific" and a vague pastoral choir on the first "Untitled" track. Thomas Leer is also credited as being featured unspecifically.
Most of the tracks seem to be improvised, one take recordings and sometimes there is no clear separation between expanding the boarders of expression and doodling around with the equipment. Still the results are enjoyable and a highlight in the early days of affordable synthesizers and show a serious attempt to find a new futuristic approach to music.

Martin Bowes' remaster for this CD issue stays very close to the original tape sound, while he improved the dynamics the overall dull sound of a cheap tape is closely preserved. This makes it even a bit more historic and authentic but maybe difficult for new listeners to get into. The documentary approach is sealed with a simple picture of the original tape as cover design. A minimalistic and non-stylish approach which would have found Robert Rental's approval. Not to be missed.