Sarabandes (1990)
I consider Sarabandes one of the most important CDs in my collection, and yet I've never written one word about it. And it doesn't look like I've heard it since 2004 at the very least. But I did listen to it a lot in the 90s, and while hearing it this afternoon for the first time in probably 30 years, I seemed to know every note.
While I may not have covered Sarabandes directly, I reference the album quite a bit. For a couple of reasons. One is that I consider it, along with Tiemko's Ocean, one of the albums that convinced me that being an "LP only" guy wasn't going to work if I wanted to stay contemporary. And like Ocean, Sarabandes remains without an LP release to this day. I tell more of this story on the Tiemko page.
The second reason I refer to Sarabandes is I feel that Minimum Vital, on this album especially, helped usher in the 90s style of European instrumental prog rock. Now, to be clear, they most certainly are influenced by the western reaches of France. This is apparent in the Medieval folk melodies they first brought forward on Les Saisons Marines. Where we get the 90s reference, or perhaps early 90s, is the production and tones are much more powerful than the "boxy 80s" sound I refer to below. And Jean-Luc Paysson, in particular, is lighting it up on the guitar as never before. It's a wonderful combination of all the above that makes the album special, memorable, and honestly at this point, iconic. The latter is probably on the Genius Hans scale of what's important versus the general population.
A timeless album.
Ownership: 1990 Musea (CD). Acquired in 1990.
1990; 10/25/26 (review)
Les Saisons Marines (1988)
Envol Triangles (1986)
Les Saisons Marines (1988)
This was to be the first Minimum Vital album for me to acquire (on vinyl originally), beginning a long relationship with the band. It appears I didn't listen to it with Envol Triangles in 2005, so we'll start from scratch for this title.
From the opening two tracks we obtain our storyline for Minimum Vital's second effort: The Medieval melodies make their initial appearance, the production is still boxy mid 80s, plenty of slap bass, sparse vocals have been added, and Jean Luc Paysson's guitar is way more out front and amped up. Most importantly, the melodic quotient remains high. And I would submit they've improved on the flow, indicating where they would land on their next opus Sarabandes. 'Zappata!' is a brilliant track, and a great way to immerse yourself into the early sound of Minimum Vital.
Ownership: 1992 Musea (CD). Coupled with Envol Triangles minus 'La Scala' (4:35). Booklet with recording details. Acquired in 1995.
First copy: 1988 Musea (LP). Acquired in 1989.
1989; 1995; 8/17/13; 9/29/25 (review)
Envol Triangles (1986)
---Jun 2005
One of the many exciting bands to have emerged in the mid to late 80's with a cassette only release. Suffers a bit from 80's digitalitis. But the full time flute player makes up for it. Too bad they couldn’t hold on to her for future albums. The bass player's style is also a product of the 80's, with too much slapping for my tastes. In some passages, I hear the 80's California based fusion group Drama. Very much a proto-Minimum Vital album.
---9/29/25
That was 20 years ago, and it looks like I had one more solid listen in between. Without a doubt this is prog music for the mid 80s. But despite the boxiness, Minimum Vital has a special way with melodies. The flow of the album can only be described as pleasant. They had yet to embrace the Medieval era, so it's a bit more generic in a jazz fusion sort of way. It develops like a prog album though, and flashy solos are nowhere to be found. The comparison to Drama is apt. As noted in the original review, flute would have been the perfect complement for the group as they progressed through the years. Adding a half star.
Ownership: 1992 Musea (CD). Coupled with Les Saisons Marines. Booklet with recording details. Acquired in 1995.
1995; 6//05 (review); 8/17/13; 9/29/25 (update)
Minimum Vital were (and remain so to this day) one of the key elements of the French progressive rock renaissance that first occurred in the mid 1980s. They blended instrumental fusion, hard rocking guitars, and Medieval themes to create something wholly unique. After five successful albums and countless niche festivals, the engine of the group - the Paysson brothers - decided to cut some trimming and go right to the core unit. Vital Duo was born. A short lived project, Vital Duo managed this one album before going back to their main brand of Minimum Vital.
It doesn't take long to figure out that Vital Duo is the work of the Paysson's. Their distinctive patented sound is all over this, and it makes one wonder what the other band members were contributing in the first place. At the beginning it seems a bit superfluous, but by the time of 'Chanson de Trouvère' you'll find yourself emerged deep within their vision and sound. Jean-Luc provides most of the stringed instruments including some fiery electric guitar, whereas Thierry brings the keyboards. Both sing as they did on their early albums and Jean-Luc covers the drums and percussion. Of those keyboards, the most fascinating and distinctive is the Digital Church Organ, which is the most prominent keyboard here. It plays right into their Medieval concept.
If you're a fan of albums such as Sarabandes and Les Saisons Marines, then Ex Tempore is an easy recommendation.
Ownership: 2001 Musea (CD). Nice booklet. Acquired in 2005.
Minimum Vital were, and still are, a highly original progressive rock group coming out of France. The basic formula is take a medieval or traditional French folk melody and add jazz plus rock influences over the top. Digital keys, programmed primarily to the brass sounds, along with ferocious guitar soloing, are the trademarks of Minimum Vital's sound.
By the time of La Source, Minimum Vital had begun to incorporate some pop influences as well, with female vocals out front, and the final result may be a surprise to hardcore fans - but it's a winning formula both musically and commercially.
Ownership: 1993 Musea (CD). Acquired in 1993.
Vital Duo - Ex Tempore (2001)
It doesn't take long to figure out that Vital Duo is the work of the Paysson's. Their distinctive patented sound is all over this, and it makes one wonder what the other band members were contributing in the first place. At the beginning it seems a bit superfluous, but by the time of 'Chanson de Trouvère' you'll find yourself emerged deep within their vision and sound. Jean-Luc provides most of the stringed instruments including some fiery electric guitar, whereas Thierry brings the keyboards. Both sing as they did on their early albums and Jean-Luc covers the drums and percussion. Of those keyboards, the most fascinating and distinctive is the Digital Church Organ, which is the most prominent keyboard here. It plays right into their Medieval concept.
If you're a fan of albums such as Sarabandes and Les Saisons Marines, then Ex Tempore is an easy recommendation.
Ownership: 2001 Musea (CD). Nice booklet. Acquired in 2005.
5//05; 7/18/19 (review)
La Source (Huit Chants de Lumiere) (1993)
By the time of La Source, Minimum Vital had begun to incorporate some pop influences as well, with female vocals out front, and the final result may be a surprise to hardcore fans - but it's a winning formula both musically and commercially.
Ownership: 1993 Musea (CD). Acquired in 1993.
1993; 3/8/10 (review); 10/10/26
Also own: Capitaines; Pavanes
Previously owned: Esprit d'Amor; Atlas
3/8/10 (new entry)
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