NICOLAS II

This was POTEMKINE's last album and like ZAO (who went from Zeuhl to Jazz / Rock) there's not really any Zeuhl left in their sound. As a matter of fact this sounded to me like a straight up Fusion record for the most part. Very well done of course. This is also their only release without vocal melodies on it.

"Tango Panache" is an uptempo track with some screaming guitar that comes and goes. This is excellent Fusion with the guitar leading the way. Bass,keys and drums fill out the sound. "Raspoutine" has some outstanding drumming on it. This song is tamer than the first one with relentless bass and some nice piano melodies. "Theme Pour Un Swing Imaginaire" is a funky little number with some ripping guitar part way through as the bass throbs. The liquid sounding keys are great.

"Air De Famille" is more Fusion with some excellent guitar 3 1/2 minutes in. The song calms down briefly before the guitar lights it up again. A jazzy keyboard / drum melody follows. "Aux Images" is a mellow song with the piano dominating. Strange sounds to end it. "Amphitheatre Magique" is my favourite track on here as it has a much richer, darker sound. Some atmosphere to it as well. Violin melody 2 1/2 minutes in as we get a great, full sound. 3 minutes later the guitar becomes more prominant as we get more of a Fusion flavour to end it.

I think this will be hit and miss with Zeuhl fans, but Jazz / Fusion fans will really enjoy this. Right from the first listen I couldn't believe this was the band who recorded the amazing "Triton" record. I still like this one though, as it is extremely well played.