TRIODE

TRIODE were a French band who released this album back in 1971.This is an instrumental record with no keyboards which intrigued me to say the least. The flute and fuzzed out guitar takes turns leading the way (mostly flute though) while the bass, percussion and drums support. I must admit that this album didn't really remind me of any band in particular, this is just good intrumental music.

"Magic Flower" is bass, drum and flute led early. I like the drumming after 2 minutes. Just a great sounding opener. "Misomaque" is more uptempo and dynamic as the drums, bass and guitar lead before the flute joins in. Guitar to the fore 2 minutes in to end it.

"Moulos Grimpos" opens with bass and drums and it's laid back. Flute joins in as it stays mellow. Some fuzzed out guitar after 2 minutes. "Blasha" is uptempo with bass and drums before the flute and guitar join in.The guitar lights it up before 2 1/2 minutes then the flute returns before 4 minutes.

"Lilie" is a groovy number with some far out flute while the drums and bass support.The guitar replaces the flute after 2 1/2 minutes then the flute returns before 4 minutes. "Ibiza Flight" has a good bass intro as the drums help out.Guitar and flute then join the party. A guitar solo after 2 minutes that lasts a minute then it settles back. It picks up again late.

"Adeubis" is a short flute led piece. I do like when the guitar comes in though before a minute. "Come Together" is THE BEATLES track that they have covered. Interesting to hear that flute-voice-over early on in this instrumental version. I like the fuzzed out guitar after 2 minutes and later before 4 minutes.

"Chimney Suite" is by far the longest track at under 9 minutes. Flute,percussion and bass lead as the guitar joins in quickly. Flute leads after 3 1/2 minutes then the guitar returns after 5 1/2 minutes and proceeds to rip it up.The flute is back leading before 7 minutes.

4 stars and well worth that rating.

Triode is a total obscure and forgotten french psych prog band from early 70's who manage to release a sole album in 1971 named On N'a Pas Fini D'avoir Tout Vu at Futura label. The album will be released on CD by Mellow records almost 30 years later. The album is instrumental entirely dominated by excellent flute playing by Michel Edelin, who will please fans of progressive music for sure, the similarity is with of course Jethro Tull or some bands from canterbury from that period, maybe early Caravan or Traffic for ex, but Triode playes a more jazzy kind of instrumental prog with fascinating flute interludes.The psychedelic sound of the guitar combined with brilliant flute chops gives overall an excellent example of how great and imaginative were the bands in the '70's in progressive rock movement. The album is up tempo, not a single piece is weak, nice musicianship, specialy on opening track Magic Flower, Moulos Grimpos, Blahsha or the cover of Beatles - Come together show a band in big form, but with all that they remain totaly unknown to larger public, even in prog circles is kinda forgotten. I will give 4 stars for sure, excellent ex of early french prog, with a lot to offer, nice cover art btw, one of my fav from prog. Recommended

Michel Edelin is a great flutist, has nothing to say it. Pierre Chereze a great guitarist. The titles are nice, air, all very musical, besides, there are no vocals on the album. Pierre Chereze debuted here with success. The music is progressive rock stable and break near the jazz rock sometimes, probably because of the high level musicians. The drums are very thin slightly ethnic, titles are very square. Michel Edelin with the omnipresence of his flute triode can be considered as a group near Focus see Jethro Tull, though he does not like them, to classify more on the side of progressive rock jazz fusion rock instumental.

Some well played fusion hailing from France here! The flute player apparently studied under Ian Anderson and its apparent once you hit track 4! Michel Edelin is just as good as the master and adds his own interesting twists. I would say Triode is a mix between Tull, Focus and Yezda Urfa (I mention YU as it is fast paced and energetic). Be sure to check out this rare gem any way you can!

4.75 stars really. One of those hidden gems from the not yet totally discovered French jungle (this one dates back from 71) it was released on the Futura Label (only five or six albums before extinction) . The common error that most review makes is to mention Jethro Tull just because there is a flute. Ofr course there is a bit of that but also much more. Of real interest is a cover of one of my fave Beatles number Come Together but instrumental . Yes sir! Instrumental! Great interplay with all the musicians makes this album a valuable pearl to you would sorry to miss out on.