"Fantastic work. In addition to being a solid, creative drummer in a sort of jazz/rock/fusion style, Blanc proves to be a talented bandleader, composer, and arranger, seemingly willing to try anything that will add color, movement, and mood to his music. The basic lineup here is guitars, double bass, saxophones, and Blancs drums, with equal time given to other interesting sounds via percussion, electronics, field recordings, and studio manipulations. Its a thrilling ride, starting with a wild, cranked-up, electric slide guitar workout and ending with peaceful water sounds. In between, we hear composed jazz, avant-garde tonalities, sound art, industrial flavors, could-be soundtracks, and more. I like every single thing here, but particularly enjoyed ..3s free-jazz soundscape (with inspired/demented vocals by Médéric Collignon), and the melancholy extravaganza of overdubbed percussion sounds on ..9. A totally great CD, start to finish. MaxLevel, KFJC radio-------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------Michel Blanc "les douze tableaux de l'escouade" out now!!!!
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