FALSTAFF

Another obscurity from France in early 1980s, the Dark Period of progressive rock. A French one-off rock quartet FALSTAFF have launched only one album "Prononcez g" on their own in 1981. This stuff features some tracks with ambiguous, complicated titles like Zeuhlish combos e.g. Magma. Such a mysterious handmade sleeve and cryptic song titles remind us of Zeuhl (and they hailed from France!) but their playing style and taste is authentic jazz rock with pop essence and symphonic hints. Not dramatic nor theatrical indeed but entirely smooth and comfortable, and sometimes mystic and weird. Wondering why such a cool, stylish outfit have been disbanded at once.

Flooded with complex but strict, precise rhythmic vibes and cool, chilling melody lines seasoned with funky, groovy flavour. St'phane's sharp keyboard works sound like a brilliant knife edge, which would define their soundscape itself, I guess. Even acceptable melodic texture cannot completely follow pop jazz but matured, intensively constructed multirhythmic mist based upon French gorgeousness in their own way. We cannot deny via this creation they would have got a tad inspired by Zeuhlish stream around them but suppose that obvious jazz rock or avantgarde jazz rock prosperity all around the world should have driven them.

38 minute obscure but fashionable French jazz rock symphony is worth having a listen.