Fusion.

Den Za Den - ''Den Za Den''{Yugoslavia}[1977]@256(vinyl rip)
This Yugoslavian obscurity could easily have been outtakes from the second or third Iceberg album, the pulling together of extreme virtuosos on keys, guitar, drums, and bass to perform a pyrotechnic jazz rock of great vigor.

The album has great production for that time, but, unfortunately, that time was the boom of punk and new wave, so the band stopped very quickly after recording this album.
Great Album!

Den Za Den - Svadba:

L'Orchestre Sympathique - ''En Concert a La Grande Passe''{Canada} [1973]
L’OS (as they are frequently known) is a group that has roots into such ancient bands as Lasting Weep (early 70’s and where Maneige also originated) but for some reason never managed to secure a recording deal. So sick of this situation that they decided to produce their own album themselves by organizing a concert where the entrance fee gave you the right to a copy of the album once it was released. Their contempt for the recording industry is well shown by depicting the Grammophon label and the famous His Master’s Voice spoof cover. And on the inside sleeve was marked all of the co- producers of the album, most namely the name of everyone that attended the concerts (4 in all)>> this was certainly an original way to get their album done.

And what an album this baby is!!! Clearly this debut album certainly rivals with Maneige’s best works both in their early style of les porches and the later style of Libre Service. Citronnade (lemonade) is an amazing showcase for François Ricard’s flute talents and Vanasse’s superb Vibe playing. Houmalaya is the first part of their fabled Tibetan philosopher (you get plenty of far-eastern influences) and this track alone was worth the price of admission to the concert: grandiose!! Even the obligatory drum solo is good and certainly not overstaying its welcome. Their jazz-rock is always on the verge of classical, ethnic, jazz and rock music >> true fusion if I ever heard it.

The second wax slice side is more of that superb same and is a feast for your ears. Lacs is a scorching beauty, with Vanasse’s vibes taking the cake with Richard’s flute being the icing. Stolow’s funky-jazz bass is also at the forefront on this track. At the halfway mark of the track, they suddenly drop a stunningly quiet interlude sounding like the Swiss quartet Circus on Movin’ On’s Dawn, before suddenly picking up again: awesome is the word. Vanasse’s playing is reminiscent of Circus Fritz Hauser. Perpetual Balouba is a very moody track traveling up and down the chilled-out spine – this track will get a much harder treatment in their following album. The album is closing on the absolutely delightful Biplane.

Certainly one of the more stunning debut album in jazz-rock around that tilme, this album is simply a must, especially if you love Maneige’s best works. This album got a recent released by the excellent label ProgQuebec and strongly deserves encouragement by you buying this incredible album.(reviewed by Hugues Chantraine)

citronnade

National Health - ''Of Queues and Cures''{UK}[1979]@260VBR
Reduced to a quartet, the lineup is nearly identical to Hatfield but for bassist/vocalist John Greaves (ex-Henry Cow), filling the Richard Sinclair role (he even sounds a bit like him on “Binoculars”).

Musically, this is a whole other animal from Hatfield, even if it’s clearly built on the same foundation. I find it amusing that Stewart left due to complaints that the music had come too close to “jazz fusion”, as this is by far the most orchestrated National Health album, with brass, woodwinds and cellos imparting dense symphonic textures to pretty much all the tracks.

For me, this is the apex, the pinnacle of all things Canterbury. There’s not a wasted moment on the entire disc, and the guys were really at the top of their game here. Well done!(reviewed by...)
Of Queues and Cures is currently held as the third best record ever (of 53,000 candidate records) on the Gnosis web site.

Of Queues and Cures is one of my top 5 albums.

National Health - Square for Maud:


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