OPUS PROGRESSIF

TE's second album was recorded under the wing of Laurent Thibault at the Chateau d'Hérouville just over six months after the release of their debut album. Profiting from the best of French studio, the group took more time and it sounds like it. The group will even call for their bravura piece closing title track on US- born David rose who will play violin on the two-part epic. He would then join the group full-time. The very black & sober artwork doesn't reflect the music that well, but it is saved by the colour picture on the back side.

Being subjected to Thibault's influence, the group's usual jazz-rock sound (ala Mahavishnu) takes on a few Zeuhlian accent, most notably the throbbing bass on the opening track, but this valid a bit everywhere else on the album as is the Mahavishnu ambiances that were still percolating from Prolacit, but overall we're more between Moerlen's Gong and RTF (No Fantasy-era), although virtuosity-wise, I think the Corea's cohorts would win hands down the virtuoso contest, but this is not where TE is headed, either. Sometimes moodier, certainly more sombre at others, more sophisticated and yet more energetic, OP proposes us some wild imaginary trips beyond the realm of your living room.

The two part epic title track closing the album is the centrepiece and this is obvious from the first notes o the first movements, where the acoustic bass, piano and guitar all together feast like kings and once they go electric, they're pure genius with amazing interplay and Rose's superb violin and the fantastic groove they found.

Although you shouldn't be fooled by the album's name (the music remains resolutely jazz-rock and not symphonic), Opus Progressif is taking TE's music from where it had left off at the end of their debut Priglacit, and then bettering its formula, then by adding a violinist, they shift yet another gear and soar up even higher.

4.5 stars. A definite upgrade over their debut in every way. I love how this reminds me of MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA at times. Also David Rose guests on violin for the last two tracks. Oh, and my thanks to psarros who's praise of this band moved me to check them out. This album is darn near perfect for my tastes and it will sit with my prized Jazz / Fusion albums.

"Convulsion" hits the ground running as electric piano, guitar, drums and bass fire on all cylinders. It settles before a minute then builds. Some fuzz too. "Disparition" has this dramatic intro before it settles in before a minute. A great sounding track. "Le Souffleur De Reve" is melancholic early. Some sparse electric piano eventually comes in with bass. It's building slowly. Spacey sounds before 5 1/2 minutes as it settles to the end. "Dialogarythme" sounds really good as the guitar and bass stand out. Nice crisp drumming too. The guitar is lighting it up before 3 minutes.

"La Porte De Bag" is less than a minute of picked guitar and piano. "38 CM/S" has a funky groove to it throughout. The guitar rips it up a minute in. "Maldoror" features piano and bass that come and go in a relaxed way. Other sounds do the same starting at 1 1/2 minutes. A very laid back and cool tune. "Opus Progressif I" opens with acoustic guitar as piano joins in. Violin and bass follow around a minute. It blends into "Progressif II" where the drums kick in right away. The violin and guitar are incredible here. It settles with bass and drums after 4 1/2 minutes. Violin 5 minutes in. Piano before 7 minutes.

A fantastic album to say the least. Highly recommended.