COSMIC VARIATIONS

VERY DISCO?. oops sorry, DISCO VERY! Been reading text right to left lately, I guess. Yes, what a discovery this French multi-instrumentalist one-man show, owner of a whopping 18 album solo discography since 2002. Pretty impressive to say the least. Obviously, Xavier is talented but also prolific and very focused, with no "writer's block" of any kind. While the quantity is there, the quality seems to be constant as well, even though there are stylistic variations along the road. A big thank you to Anne Claire of Bad Dog Promotions in getting his latest opus into my hands, a request that I rarely deny (unless the artist is not my cup of tea, as I hate doing negative reviews, being more a fan and supporter of our prog genre and not a dismissive critic).

'Cosmic Variations' is the title and its an instrumental tour de force that defines modern prog music in 2022. As mentioned previously, Xavier plays all the instruments himself, being an excellent guitarist, a deft bass player, adding keyboards where necessary and manning a drum kit with effective thuds. As a rule, I always search out and follow the bass guitar within any new artist or album, for my ears to hop on the musical box and get a feel for the overall material. The set list is interesting in that long pieces (3-to 7 minute), all being basic variations of a same style, that alternate with gentler, at times ambient (1-2 minute) intermezzi, all variants of 'Echo', giving it an aural equivalent texture like a mille feuilles in pastry. Layers upon layers of crunch and cream, mes amis.

The blustery "Sea Serpent" is an exciting opener where all his musical ingredients coalesce into one, elegant fretless bass swells pushing the cresting riffs around, percussive whitecaps to add some nautical drama and some searing guitar lines that underline the melody. Epic, bombastic, and stormy contrasts abound, very much like a soundtrack for an uncertain oceanic journey, an escapade for the mind. Convincing beginning. After the brief serenity of "Echo1", the naval adventure persists with the "Compass on Argonauts Ship" , another fluid romp at breakneck velocity with all the required contrasts, showing off some tremendous soloing, propulsive bass in the undertow, as well as roaringly heavy drum patterns. Xavier can certainly play intense. Ouf! This pattern is now set for the rest of the album quite clearly as the obsessive "Reticulum" hints at the same dense, heavy and bold arrangements, interspersed with lighter glimmers of sound amid the fury. But when Xavier goes crazy, its crazy! His lead playing is lightning quick, thunderous rhythm riffs, rotund bass, as well as adding the effects board options where needed.

I mean I can go on, but you get the message by now. There are no vocals to appreciate or criticize, no soppy ballads, just a well- thought out structured instrumental album, 49 minutes of muscular and appeasing flips of passionate music that will provide enough background entertainment while going about one's day as well as a companion for the armchair /earphones duet. Definitely with checking out in view of the talent, the style and the material on display here. Give it a try.

4 Interplanetary Alterations