TERRE

Julian Julien (more recently known for his band Fractale) plays all of the instruments on this intriguing album. He also manages quite an accomplishment: releasing an album with accordian that doesn't irritate the hell out of me.

It's difficult for me to call this album fusion, or even jazz, for that matter. It's all intrumental, there are improvised parts, but it sounds altogether unique to my ears. In some ways, there is a similarity to some of the music of Magma. There is that sense of repetition in the compositions, with the repeated sections slowly evolving into works of mesmerizing beauty.

Julien's work on all the instruments, while not astounding, is very tasteful. His string playing to me is quite compelling, and his choices for sounds to use in his rhythm tracks is perfection.

Often, I tend to get tired on one man multitracked solo albums, with the overlaying sounding too mechanical. Julian manages to avoid this pitfall, making his pieces sound natural and flowing.