On the surface, it would appear Flutes Libres would be yet another flute jazz album that was all the rage back then. With Jean Cohen-Solal appearing in his Yankee Doodle outfit, it couldn't be more than a cash-in album of that era's greatest hits. Right? Way wrong. Flutes Libres is a dense work, bordering on the Kosmische with droning organs, and classical level flute played on top. While there are some rocked out rhythms and trendy moves looking East, in general, this is an album that will appeal to those into both experimental rock and serious avant garde music. The album is remarkably consistent, without any notable highs or lows.
Fans of atmospheric, and perhaps even difficult, avant-garde jazz rock will find much pleasure in Flutes Libres. For certain it's not an easy listen, and definitely not the kind of music that results in pleasing a crowd. But for private listening in a dark room with headsets, the rewards are great.
Ownership: LP: 1971 Daphy / Sonopresse; CD: 2003 Mio (Israel). The LP comes in a heavy duty gatefold with a dissertation of the flute, and details of each track, within the centerpiece. I picked this up online in 2012, and this is the first time for me to hear the LP, close to 10 years later. The CD includes the second album in full, entitled Captain Tarthopom. More detail can be found on that entry, since it's the only copy I own of it.
8/20/15; 1/1/22 (new entry)
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