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MANDARINE

Ex Vitae

Jazz Rock/Fusion


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Ex Vitae Mandarine album cover
3.82 | 22 ratings | 2 reviews | 14% 5 stars

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Studio Album, released in 1978

Songs / Tracks Listing


1. Vive-Versa (6:15)
2. Saxophonie (15:25)
3. Gavarnie (10:28)
4. Mandarine (9:42)

Total Time 41:50

Line-up / Musicians


- Jean Lars / bass
- Marc Millon / drums, percussion, vibraphone
- Jaen-Michel Philippe / electric & acoustic guitar
- Jacques Lars / electric guitar
- René-Marc Bini / keyboards
- Jean-Loup Marlaud / saxophone, clarinet, flute
- Alain Labarsouque / violin

Releases information

EV 01

Thanks to historian9 for the addition
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Buy EX VITAE Mandarine Music



EX VITAE Mandarine ratings distribution


3.82
(22 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(14%)
14%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(41%)
41%
Good, but non-essential (36%)
36%
Collectors/fans only (9%)
9%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

EX VITAE Mandarine reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars EX VITAE were a seven piece Jazz band out of France and this is their only release called "Mandarine" from 1978. A low 4 stars because the enjoyment level wasn't there but I couldn't help but be impressed with how adventerous they could get veering into Avant territories. An all instrumental album save for some brief shouts and wordless melodies. Besides the usual instruments we get violin, sax, clarinet, flute and vibes. The keyboardist would go on to make Film Soundtracks and here he adds mostly piano and synths. Two guitarists and mostly acoustic is what I'm hearing.

The opener "Vive-Versa" is the shortest at over 6 minutes and my favourite. I really like that start with the acoustic guitar and piano but it gets better when the synths take over with drums and sax. Sax only 4 minutes in and then it kicks back in. Jazzy is the word. Some shouts around 4 1/2 minutes then back to the drums, bass and horn. "Saxophonie" is the longest at around 15 1/2 minutes. Lots of intricate sounds early including horns then it becomes light and jazzy with piano and horns before suddenly picking up around 4 minutes with bass and drums kicking in. Violin after 5 1/2 minutes and it will come and go. Synths lead before 6 1/2 minutes but violin replaces it quickly. Sax and violin continue to come and go. It turns Avant late before that brief melodic ending.

"Gavarnie" sounds really good 1 1/2 minutes in with that jazzy bass and sax standing out. Active drum work as well. It does settle back around 3 minutes as they strip down. It starts to build until it begins to get crazy 5 1/2 minutes in then it winds down a minute later. Building again before 8 minutes! "Mandarine" opens with uptempo piano as bass joins in then a calm with flute and vibes. It kicks in before 2 minutes, vocal expressions too. Flute over top as it settles again. Sax, violin and electric piano will all lead. I like the electric guitar after 6 minutes and 7 1/2 minutes in.

I saw these guys called a French Experimental Fusion Band. Not far from the truth right there.

Latest members reviews

4 stars Ex Vitae were a French band playing a Canterbury influenced progressive jazzrock that self-released their only album in 1978. The band's music on "Mandarine" show a clear influence from their fellow countrymen Moving Gelatine Plates. Another point of reference would be the other band late to the Can ... (read more)

Report this review (#2240944) | Posted by Igor91 | Tuesday, July 30, 2019 | Review Permanlink

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