The
music found here is an excellent psychedelic / folk rock /
proto-progressive album from Jean-Yves Labat's (a.k.a. M Frog) first
band (a gentleman most known for his keyboard work with Todd Rundgren's
Utopia). Recorded in London with primarily English musicians on board,
though Labat himself was French. The first track '1984-Melancolia
Street' (8:40), in particular, will send fans of the progressive rock
genre into a swoon, with its multiple theme and metric shifts, recalling
cutting edge UK outfits such as Cressida and Web ("I Spider" era). Some
excellent guitar, sax, bombard (a reed instrument primarily used in
Brittany), and flute define this advanced work. Perhaps not
mind-blowing on the whole, but given the 1969 date, certainly one to two
full years ahead of its time. Fans of the psychedelic infused
progressive genre will most definitely want to own this. It's a
professional recording preserved for the ages, not some muddy demo that
you have to endure to fully appreciate. For something like this to be
buried for 43 years is quite extraordinary. Do not miss it!
CD: 2012 Ad Vitam
Contrary to some online discographies, there is no 1969 release. It was strictly a
demo shipped to labels for possible release. Perhaps unbelievably,
Bearsville was thinking of releasing this one in 1973. One can only
imagine this being a common US press. Actually, I wouldn't believe it.
69 is an exquisite archival release from Ad Vitam, a classical-oriented music label owned by Baba Scholae founder Jean-Yves Labat! More info here from our CD Reissue Wish List.
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