LA TRANSFORMATION

Nice ... you have to be in a smooth temper, then just relax and drift away into OG MUSIQUE's special realm. 'La Transformation' is the second album meanwhile, a rather entertaining instrumental excursion with candied melodies - a cool album full of relatively short songs which sometimes seem to be excerpts from longer extended recordings. Here we have a cornucopia of styles included which comprises psych, folk, pop, jazz, rock and classical elements. OG MUSIQUE is the moniker for Belgian musician oG who's the mastermind behind this project and handles guitar, bass and organ, supported by Nicolas Léonard on drums/piano plus some additional string and brass collaborators.

Acoustic guitars and flute serve a strong folk feeling from the beginning - the organ style though reminds me of Bo Hansson on Les Berges Du Ciel, also provided with some trumpet impressions an outstanding composition. Le Combat and the two following songs are much more psych coloured due to oG's electric guitar and spacey organ. L'envol - La Reine Bleue on the other hand appears more jazzy funky in the whole. And finally I would like to point out L'épreuve - La Métamorphose - L'accomplissement - the longest song concerning title and playtime, decorated with excellent multiple guitar appearance - a combination of indo/raga, acoustic and gilmouresque Pink Floyd reminiscence - even experimental in some way because of a weird organ finale.

'La Transformation' showcases noteworthy songwriting and musicianship in general, except the simplistic drum playing somehow - not really disturbing, but a bit left out in the cold as for my impression. All in all you'll listen to relaxed songs which show a 70s retro reference, sometimes provided with a popular sentiment, but this surely is far away from common mainstream productions on the other hand. Obviously nothing for headbangers - so much the more dedicated to lovers of charming music.