Phileas Fogg - Coma Depasse 1986

Some more French material to complement pollux's posts before we move back to Germany. This lost record recalls Babel-era Cos (esp. the 5th track) with the crystal-clear female singing on top of some really tasty jazz licks with progressive touches. Isabelle Sobkowiak is the singer and she really goes all-out on the out-belted third track demonstrating some ground-fracking high notes in the first part. In the second part of the same song we get those sustained minor chord guitar arpeggios that are so proggy, cf. edition speciale, mahavishnu orchestra, whereupon the keyboardist gets a chance to shine (Jollivet).

The guitarist, Christian Berger, is the other real standout in his gorgeous playing. Phenomenal solos abound. I include the last instr. composition below to get a feel of the jazz vs. rock vs. progressive dosages that go into this potion.

I know some will think it's simple pop, some will think it's too jazzy, but someone out there (based on past comments) might well think it's their favourite record in the world. For me, it sure is beautiful music to my ears, and I will play it numerous times. And at least my wife will like it too! (Although this means I have to leave the headphones off, and listen to her talk about her day at work for a long long time.) I particularly love this singer's voice, she's got diamonds that glitter to make you blind in her vocal cords.

Bass– Pierre Janin
Congas– Lazreg Saidi
Drums, Percussion– François Longuemare
Guitar– Christian Berger
Keyboards– Lionel Jollivet
Vocals– Isabelle Sobkowiak

Paroles - P. Roudergue
Composee et arrangee - Phileas Fogg

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