RENCONTRES

This has been an absolute pleasure to listen to this past week. I really couldn't believe what I was hearing because I was expecting something more in the Avant-garde style. Apparently that would come with later releases.This was their debut released back in the mid-eighties.The band consisted of 6 members who played sax, flute, clarinet, drums, bass, guitar, violin, synths, piano and organ. I was reminded a little of the Canterbury sounds at times and later HENRY COW. All I know is that this really sounds amazing. There are English vocals on two tracks which only add to the gourmet meal they serve up for us. I can't believe being a Canadian that I have never heard of this band. Shame on me ! They give the titles in French and English so i'll use the English ones.

The album starts off with "Checkmate" that is an uptempo violin led beauty. I'm not a huge fan of the violin but this sounds really good. Drums and guitar help fill out the sound. The tempo starts to shift around 2 minutes in.This is a torrid start. "The Stowaway" features a sax / drum melody to die for. So smooth and refreshing. These guys can play so beautifully. Acoustic guitar is added. A beautiful jazzy tune. "Road To Martyrdom" is a change of pace as it opens with some powerful organ. A nice sax, drum, bass melody follows when the organ stops. Just a gorgeous sound. The melody stops 3 minutes in and flute melodies take over briefly before the main melody returns sounding a little different. An ethnic flavour follows and it's joined by organ first then clarinet? before organ returns. Drums and violin 7 minutes in before the main melody returns again. Flute then sax take the leads. Like the intro we get powerful organ to end it. What a ride ! Over 10 minutes long. "Fog" is darker with synths and organ to open. The tempo does pick up as drums and horns come in. It's still gloomy though until the flute comes in with light drums and bass. The odd metered drumming is cool. Sax arrives as themes are repeated. Check out the crazy drumming 7 1/2 minutes in. "Encounters" is a mixed bag really as the tempo and mood changes throughout. It's dark, bright, slow, fast, loud and soft. It opens quietly with some nice sax and piano. A nice full sound a minute in.

"A Tower Struck Down" has vocals that remind me somewhat of David Bowie. Not quite as deep but close. Flute comes in. Drums and a full sound 1 1/2 minutes in as vocals stop. An excellent sound follows including sax and violin as drums beat. Vocals are back after 7 minutes to end it with synths and flute. "Lake Of Vanity" opens with some beautiful sounding clarinet. The bass is chunky as drums pound away. Violin comes and goes. Sax and clarinet come and go as well. Gorgeous song. "The Expatriate" has a pastoral intro and the flute / sax passages are incredible. The bass and drum work is outstanding as well. Synths provide a nice background. The pace picks up before 4 minutes. It pretty much stops 5 1/2 minutes in and comes back very mellow. Violin a minute later to end it. "The Miry Man" is a fun, uptempo tune to begin with. The tempo keeps changing after that though. It calms right down after 2 minutes, as it becomes almost spacey. Flute and marching- like drums follow. It picks back up again 4 1/2 minutes in. The final track is called "Assembly Of Spirits" with flute, clarinet, synths, drums, bass, piano and vocals leading the way to begin with in a fairly mellow beginning. The tempo picks up 2 minutes in as violin comes in. A calm 5 minutes in as vocals and flute return to end it.

I hate to give another 5 stars out so soon after the last one but this is totally deserving. This will go beside my HENRY COW and Canterbury favs.