BABA SCHOLAE

Psychedelic/Space Rock • France

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Baba Scholae biography
Baba Scholae was first formed by Jean-Yves Labat and a couple of friends in 1967 in Paris. Their music garnered some interest and thanks to a friend, producer Tommy Weber, they landed a gig at the famous Marquee club in London, sharing the bill with Traffic. Unfortunately two truck loads of their gear got stolen on the eve of the concert, but with the help of other musicians they could perform before an audience who was mainly there to see and hear Traffic. Broke and demoralized they returned to France and it would have been the end of story was it not for Labat's determination.

In 1969, encouraged by Jules Vigh, band member from the start, and with the financial help of Olivier Mosset of Zanzibar Productions, he returned to London and recorded an album under the name of Baba Scholae with the musicians John Arthur Holbrook (former sound engineer of the IBC Studios where the recording took place: guitar, keyboards, vocals), Steve Baylis (drums), Alan Jones (bass), Woody Woodbine (vocals), Jules Vigh (guitar, Mellotron) and Jean-Yves Labat himself on flutes, saxophone, bombard, keyboards and vocals. Bad luck continued which meant that there was no money for the pressing of the disc and after a short tour in 1969 and some musical dissension between the musicians the band ceased to exist the same year. John Holbrook and Jean-Yves Labat moved to Woodstock, where the first became sound engineer at the Bearsville Studios and the second a recording artist for Bearsville Records. The three original recording acetate copies were so well kept that they resurfaced only 40 years later during a move of John Holbrook, leading to a restoration and the first release of Baba Scholae's first and only work in 2012, titled 69.

The music of Baba Scholae is both a product of its time as it was ahead of its time in 1969: a psychedelic rock album mixing in elements of Canterbury, Krautrock, electronic experimentation and with its Zappaesque and Beatlesque moments. A lost gem that resurfaced.

- suitkees, January 2024

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BABA SCHOLAE discography

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BABA SCHOLAE top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.00 | 3 ratings

69
2012

BABA SCHOLAE Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

BABA SCHOLAE Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

BABA SCHOLAE Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

BABA SCHOLAE Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

0.00 | 0 ratings

Go Down Sunset / Keep It Rythmique
1969

BABA SCHOLAE Reviews

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Studio Album, 2012
4.00 | 3 ratings
BUY

69
Baba Scholae Psychedelic/Space Rock

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

BABA SCHOLAE began in 1967 led by 20 year old Jean-Yves Labat de Rossi. A six piece out of France they really hit a lot of road blocks in their short careers. Getting the chance to open for TRAFFIC in London but having pretty much all their equipment stolen just prior to the show. Back to France they went demoralized and the band broke up, Then round two they get a chance to record their music in 1969 which they did but the money destined to pay for the pressing was stolen by one of the roadies. Again they disbanded and forgot about the three copies of the disc that were made. That was found after a move over 40 years later.

This archival release was made in 1969 but not released until 2012. I did spend a week with this back in 2017 and felt it was a solid album worth the 4 stars. I must say there are skeptics to this story. The sound quality is almost too good for that year and some just don't believe these discs suddenly showed up after all this time. The other thing is the man who started this band who I mentioned earlier Jean-Yves, he would move to the USA and be part of Todd Rundgren's band and he's on the "Utopia" record. Known as Mr. Frog at that point. He plays keyboards on here but is also playing sax and flute. The lead guitarist adds keyboards as well then we get a vocalist, bass player, drummer and a second guitarist who adds mellotron.

The music is varied but mostly psychedelic. Fifteen tracks over 46 1/2 minutes. "Just Like George" has Frank Zappa written all over it. Some hero worship here. "Song My(My Lai)" is the most powerful track with some aggressive guitar and vocals. "Song For A New Connection" is surprisingly jazzy although the opener had a jazzy section too. The closer is experimental and avant. Some folky and poppy tunes too. I really like "She's An Indian Minor" despite the title. Just a feel good vibe, I like the flute and bass. "White Bird" is another song that stands out for me. The opener is very good too and it's by far the longest track at over 8 1/2 minutes called "1984 -Melancolia Street".

I'm not blown away by this by any means but it's a good listen with excellent sound quality and worth the 4 stars.

Thanks to gordy for the artist addition.