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LIBRE SERVICE - SELF SERVICEManeigeJazz Rock/Fusion |
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As with this album , they are veering towards Canterbury style music , putting a bit of humour in the music, but playing with the song titles but in French. Troisix , I think refers to the three X on Amsterdam flags and reaches funkish border. And the second last number is reggeaeish.


This is my favorite Maneige album. Maneige is not an easy group to listen to at first if you are not used to xylophones and other less commons instruments. But it is worth it to give it a try if you like Canterbury music and percussions, along with a jazzy touch.
Althought the musical structure does not seem at first to be progressive (shorts songs) all the songs go along very well one with each other, so the whole album creates a very interesting and rich climax. This is an album a bit like "The Snow Goose" by Camel; you have to listen to it from the beginning to the end, and not just one song in particular to really appreciate the beauty of the music.
This is a very organic music with some new-age influences and what I would call post- modern conceptions. Very refreshing, yet not that complicated technically. A very very good album!

My favourite tracks come towards the latter half of the album. Celebration is a symphonic flute-led instrumental that would grace a Camel record, while La Noce starts off the same way, before mutating into a fascinating band piece featuring Andy Latimer-style lead guitar. There's a glorious flute bit with reggae inflections, and another punchy guitar lead to round things off. Another highlight is La Belle Et La Bete, a pleasing slan of darting jazz-rock that's a little tricky to pin down.
Unfortunately too much of the album is totally unconnected with progressive rock. L'envol Des Singes Latins starts off as a Santana tribute, whereas Toujours Trop Tard becomes a Latin jazz excursion that also recalls Carlos and co. Les Pentocles is a real funky disco track, with some blistering electric guitar leads. Bagdad is a little different with a middle Eastern theme. Miro Vibro is a little silly, but has a nice massive sax opening, and sees Maneige foreshadowing the Dire Straits sound for the second time, the first being Douce Am Re from the previous album.
Overall, the best bits here put the album narrowly above its predecessor, but I still feel that Maneige took a wrong turn after Les Porches. ... 58% on the MPV scale

A second misleading quality of the album is cover. Don't expect dark, sinister, grim, and bleak atmospheres. Expect funky beats, bright atmospheres, and sharp drums.
Though it shapes up to be a pretty decent contemporary jazz release, I find Libre Service to be almost too modern. The production and sound quality are extraordinarily clear, but they also have more of a mechanic feel, as opposed to the really free, organic compositions of Les Porches which really drew me in. That, and some of the feel that distinguished them from other jazz bands in a similar pool is nearly gone completely. Despite these flaws, however, it is a great 'song-based' jazz album with some truly stellar moments, and some very mediocre segments.

"Troizix" opens with a beat and lots of clapping. Guitar comes in followed later by flute. "L'Envol Des Singes Latins" opens with percussion and synths before drums and flute take over.There is an island vibe to this tune after 1 1/2 minutes. A catchy track. "Les Petoncles" is better with the slower beat and vibes. Guitar and bass follow. I like the calm after 3 minutes. Sax comes in then the tempo picks up to end it. "La Belle Et La Bete" features xylophone and vibes early with drums. Flute 1 minute in. I like it better 2 1/2 minutes in as we get a fuller sound. A gong ends it. "Bagdad" has a good rhythm to it once it gets going. "Noemi" is less than a minute of piano,guitar and flute.
"Celebration" opens with bells as flute joins in. A full sound arrives around 1 1/2 minutes. "La Noce" opens with sleigh bells then flute and classical guitar. I feel like throwing on some tights and prancing around. Kidding ! Thankfully a good piano melody takes over with drums and bass. Guitar comes in at 2 1/2 minutes. Flute leads the way later. "Toujours Trop Tard" is mellow with flute. Drums, percussion and guitar take over. Sax 3 minutes in then guitar returns before 4 minutes. I like this one a lot, especially the melancholic mood early. "Miro Vibro" opens with piano before flute and percussion arrive before 2 minutes. Piano is back leading the way then flute joins in again. Tasteful guitar late.
There is certainly lots to enjoy here if your into the lighter side of Fusion. Barely 4 stars. I really like the album cover too for some reason.

MANEIGE Libre Service - Self Service ratings only
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