PSYCHILLIS OF A LUNATIC GENIUS

I couldn't agree with Sean Trane more, that this is a lost gem from 70's Belgium, and it's worth 4.5 stars. In typical Canterbury tradition there is so much humour on this album. Even when the song seems serious you just have to read the lyrics to see the silliness. Zappa had to be an influence on these guys.The first 8 songs are from their first album recorded in 1972, while the last 8 songs are from an incomplete recording session from 1973. They used a mellotron in studio during the second recording, so it's nice to hear that at times during the second half of this disc. Interesting that the bass player Patrick Cogneaux previously played in ARKHAM which also boasted drummer Daniel Denis who would of course go on to form UNIVERS ZERO.

"Le La Loo Loo Le La" is a good, uptempo, instrumental track with keys, violin and drums leading the way. "Harlequin Of Love" is where we first hear vocals, and it took me a while to get past how much they sound like David Clayton Thomas from BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS. This is a complex track with lots of tempo shifts. It's Zappa-like at times with lots of flute. "Crying For Disaster's Hand" features a jazzy sound with fragile vocals to begin with. Organ, bass and flute lead the way. Cool song.The tempo picks up after 3 minutes when drums and piano become prominant. "What Is The Further Purpose" is very jazzy with fast paced vocals. Great sound. Nice bass lines. "Swaying Fire" features outbursts of violin that come and go in contrast with the soft vocal passages. Vocals do get stronger, and the drumming becomes more prominant. "Mirela" is an instrumental that has Canterbury written all over it. Nice. "Freedom Dance" opens with flute and theatrical vocals trading off before an uptempo melody arrives. "Lovelight" has some very JETHRO TULL sections on it. Great tune !

The next half starts with an instrumental called "Bami, Lychee, Si." I was reminded of ZAO as it is very smooth and jazzy. Some vocal melodies come in. Some mellotron as the sound is building. Crazy spoken words to end it. "Harlequin Of Love(second version)" is like a reprise of the first one. "Can It Be Sin" is the longest track at almost 7 minutes.This is a slower paced, solemn song but with funny lyrics. Mellotron on this one as well. "And The Hermit Will Be A Master" opens with keys. Violin, drums, bass and vocals soon join in. Jazzy. Vocals get theatrical after 4 minutes. "M.M.M." is an uptempo instrumental with lots of flute. It calms down before 2 minutes with flute still leading the way. It becomes quite jazzy later. "In The Army(devil likes smoke)" would make Zappa proud. Hilarious lyrics and a crazy instrumental background. Well played of course. "Airport Formalities And Taking Off / Stewardess And Breakfast" is a true Canterbury song title no ? It definitely sounds like classic Canterbury anyway. I love this track. Check out the organ work ! Spoken words to open and close the song. "It's The End" is a silly little number that would have been perfect to end a concert with.

This is one of those obscure albums that makes the search all worthwhile. A must !