Le Groupe X were an interesting, and very obscure, Italian band that released two rare albums during the 70s. For the most part Le Groupe X is the working name of a one Gianluigi Pezzera, a person in the Franco Battiato sphere of influence. Right from the beginning, Frrrrrigidaire announces what one can expect for the duration - big fat drums beats and thick wedgy Moog sounds. No wonder the album is sought after - as it's a sound sampler's magic heaven. Some of the melodies are a bit trite, while others are more thought provoking. Throughout there's a bed of acoustic and electric guitars creating that unique Mediterranean soundscape. It's all instrumental with a jazzy undertone, though the music still belongs to progressive rock. Likely to have been made for the TV film library market though it's not obvious that this is the case, especially considering the track lengths, especially the long start to side 2 with 'Multi Facet'. Overall, a fine album that has improved over time for me.
Ownership: LP: 1973 Cipiti. Comes in an extraordinary multi-fold out cover. It's also extremely fragile and most copies have tears along the seams, mine no exception. I purchased this from my old friend Michael Piper (1998), who passed away about a decade later (RIP).
Over the years the album has skyrocketed in price, though it was never cheap. To this day (6/10/24), no hint of a reissue exists, though the album closer 'Transfert 2002' did find its way onto a two part 45 released in 2004.
1/18/01 (Gnosis); 2/7/21 (new entry)
No comments:
Post a Comment