JUILLET 1977

Late-70's Belgian ensemble, its idea was captured by guitarist and cellist Michel Dayez, who had the vision to combine elements from different music styles in a single disc.For this reason he needed musicians with a wide background, Nuit Calline A La Villa Mon Reve ended up to be a company of more than 10 musicians: Cos' and Abraxis' Charles Loos on piano, Denis Van Hecke on cello (linked to bands like Cos and Confluence), Alex Furnelle on bass, Jeannot Gillis on trumpet, viola and tuba, Jean-Paul Laurent and Pierre Coulon on flute, Pierre Narcisse on percussion, Ilona Chale and Christophe Vinck on vocals, Eric Chale and Michel Moers on guitars.With an unknown place of recording the album ''Juillet 1977'' was released in 1977 on IBC.

Very weird and unique album indeed, ''Juillet 1977'' contains strong elements from Francophone Folk, Rock and Jazz, at least during the instrumental parts, because the lyrical parts have something of a typical French Singer/Songwriter approach, featuring expressive male and female vocals.The music is pretty complex with a definite R.I.O. background, as the strings and acoustic instruments dominate the album, based on a jazzy executional freedom and the dreamy Folk arrangements.Violin and guitar are the most prominent instruments and with the addition of jazzy elements the style comes often close to a MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA sound.Cello and viola along with the acoustic guitars come next.Flute and electric guitars are used only sporadically, though the album features an omnipresent rhythm section.''Juillet 1977'' sounds often pretty chaotic and abstract, the listener will find a hard time to digest the polyphonic harmonies, the string scratches and the ethereal rural tunes, but several listenings will turn out to be pretty rewarding.Despite the largely acoustic armour this work offers complex musicianship with changing climates and sources of inspiration, going from Jazz to Folk to Classical Music, reminiscent sometimes of the Quebec Prog scene.The mood is also uneven, there is some dreamy singing parts with an elegant atmosphere, which often switch to dense acoustic Prog Rock with series of strings, guitar and piano battles and solos.Not very consistent stuff, but the instrumental variety is something to admire.

Of course the band was short-lived, but this collaboration led to many musicians meet up again in Julverne: Denis Van Hecke, Jean-Paul Laurent, Jeannot Gillis and Pierre Coulon all played with the band.Unfortunately Van Hecke passed away in 2012.Pierre Narcisse also suffered a stroke and retired from music around 2007.

Pretty genuine mix of Folk Rock, R.I.O. and Jazz.Not music for eveyone and definitely a demanding grower.Recommended though, especially if you like slightly abstract prog listenings.