LE BATELEUR

Now I really caught fire! The second album from this French band, heavily canterbury, zeuhl and symphonic infected. Recorded at different places like Paris and Rennes, 'Le Bateleur' comes completely instrumental, a fireworks of finesse and virtuosity, you bet! A rare occasion where I do not really insist on an acoustic drum kit aboard. Yeah, precisely programmed percussions are given here, though not really to recognize, at least regarding my sentiency. The band's core, consisting of Fabrice Chouette and Patrick Dufour, has been enhanced due to Frédéric Chaput on this occasion, another prolific multi-instrumentalist. And three out of the five tracks are also showing some notable guest musicians. While missing any lyrics it's quite impossible to reach for a possible conceptual background. Anyway, 'Le Bateleur' (The Magician) is seeking into mankind's Middle Ages somehow, that would be the message of the cover picture at least, which was created by Dario D'Alessandro.

It's not possible to highlight any particular track, as this affair sounds that rounded overall. Tricky compositions are put on the album, sophisticated, and not too avantgardistic respectively weird in the end. Hereby they are grooving a lot, the wonderful organic flow is striking overall, a bit early Genesis influenced. All the utilized instruments are wonderfully complementing. It's all perfect! Anyway, I solely can bump this, just get your own impression, visit the label's bandcamp site to have a try. While occasionally listening to this since last year the album has turned out to be another real grower for me, sooner or later evolving to an essential listening pleasure. If not done yet, at least everybody who will appreciate the All Traps On Earth debut should necessarily enter here too.