You may know that, after a third record, Harmonium the Quebecois pastoral prog group disbanded. Some, still  more informed, have heard that it was mainly caused by mental fragility of their charismatic leader, Serge Fiori. Recently he has publicly discussed the fact that a specific drug experience had caused a still damaging kind of paranoia which to this day,  prevent him to come back on stage. Very sad story indeed. After a duo, and a solo album, less and less interesting ones, that was it for him. Years of inner errance, ashrams, meditations had led him to a kind of peacefullness. Now here is the great news.

In 2014, having in his mind sufficiently recover,with  a bunch of songs about his inner experiences, mortality or illness of his parents, overall matters of an aging life, and helped by one Marc Perusse, a musician / producer responsible of some of the best pop/ crossover quebecois records of the last twenty years, he just came back with a solo album simply titled "Serge Fiori". If some of you think Harmonium doesn't qualify as prog', then forget any chance that "... Fiori" will get here anytime soon. Which is a shame in due respect to the administrators. That's why i'm posting this as this seems the only way to duly inform those that can't get enough of the Harmonium sound. 

Because while "Fiori" is not prog at all, it still has all the ingredients that made Serge's music great. First song ,"Le Monde Est Virtuel" is a tribute to the classic Harmonium sound, acoustic guitars, that typical line of bass, more in line with the first record, or the happier, upbeat moments of "Les cinq saisons". Then the fifth song is simply a gift of heart: Serge duets with Monique Fauteux, member of the third incarnation of the band; on "L'Heptade" that's her who is featured on "Le Corridor", apart of all her work as back vocalist all along the record. The song, entitled "Jamais", is simply gorgeous, shivers gauranteed. "Seule" adress his mother's alzheimer in such a sensible and moving way, you are bound to endless tears. Same goes for "Laisse moi partir" (let me go), about his father death. All very sad matters but in true Fiori's fashion, hope is there and the best is kept for the end: "Si bien" (so fine) and his coda "Epilogue" close the record in true uplifting fashion.

And how is his singing will you ask? Because true Harmonium lovers mainly enjoyed Fiori's vocal charisma. One of the nicest, most moving voice in prog or any genre for that matter. To the point that many of you, english speaking, don't give a damn about not understanding the lyrics, not even mentioning that there's always much wordless vocalising in Fiori's music. Here's the true magic: he hasn't lost anything! As an aging sixtygoer, think Peter Gabriel, his voice had lowered a bit, his comfort zone has narrowed, but he still can nail any of the falsetto pitch he tries. And the converted know how much it is part of the most beautiful aspect of his music.

This is a must ear for all those who gave the five stars thumb'up to "Les Cinq saisons, or l'Heptade.