PRIGLACIT

During one of the timeout in Yves Simon's schedule, his backing band profited from the spare time to record their first album. Indeed this was quite quick (6 days in mid-May at Studio Davout), because they had had time to prepare it, and where even playing their own numbers at soundchecks of the singer's tours. The standard prog quartet developed an excellent jazz-rock that was rivalling the classic-driven Mahavishnu Orchestra, where the songwriting was fairly evenly spread out between the four accomplished musicians, although I wouldn't call them seasoned veterans. On a Spanish scale, you could place them between Fusioon's first two albums and Iceberg's jazzier opus like Coses Nostres.

The artwork might induce you to think the group is very percussive, but the sound is very much balanced. 14 relatively short tracks (max 3'40") that meddle into one giant number. In some ways, you'd guess that the tracks written by drummer Bouvier are more rhythmic, but then once they morph into bassist Guselli- written ditties, they don't necessarily become funky. As the short tracks keep speeding by, the listener is never bored, because they (tracks) are all very different and never repeat themselves. Their jazz-rock is still fairly academic, but complex, melodious and subtle finesse.

An excellent but short debut album that did not go unnoticed in the French jazz scene, Priglacit (no idea as to what the title means) is probably the best introduction to Transit Express' music, but you can't go wrong by choosing anyone of their three opus. And when this is the case, it's best to start chronologically.

It took me a while to get used to the sound here. The sound quality is excellent it's just that the drums are very upfront.The guy is an outstanding drummer so it's all good. There 14 relatively short tracks here but several do blend into the next song.TRANSIT EXPRESS are a Jazz / Fusion band from France. This is all instrumental and quite impressive. Some clavinet to go with the electric piano, synths, guitar, bass and drums.

"Priglacit" sounds really good when the sound gets fuller. It suddenly settles with piano though, before kicking back in before 2 minutes. The drums sound so crisp. "Drousia I" is drum led as piano then guitar joins in. The guitar is outstanding to end it. "Drousia II" has the same style as the previous tune with piano, drums and bass leading. It blends into "Contrat-Session" which is uptempo with those ever-present drums out front. "Planerie" is laid back with no drums (gasp) until they kick in after a minute. This sounds better. It ends as it began. "Bahar" features drums, piano, synths and some good guitar.

"Contradiction" is uptempo and drum led. "Ludion" is a great sounding song with some atmosphere. The guitar is killer. I like the electric piano as well. "Wanda" opens with acoustic guitar, bass and we get some atmosphere as well. It picks up before 2 minutes. The electric guitar before 2 1/2 minutes lights it up. "Vinitier" has some spacey synths to start followed by an uptempo soundscape as the spacey mood stays. "Connection" is relaxed yet drum led. It blends into "Flaure" where we get some clavinet. This blends into "Coexistence" where the tempo slows while the drummer and guitarist do their thing. Keys and bass a minute in. It picks up after 2 minutes and the guitar is on fire. "ILS" has this catchy beat that takes over. Guitar after a minute then that beat returns as contrasts continue.

A low 4 stars from me. Well worth checking out.