28.02.2008.
Aksak Maboul - Un Peu De L'Ame Des Bandits (1980) (@256)
(Review from progweed.net, gnosis2000.net)
Aksak Maboul were sort of an "odd man out" among the original RIO bands, caught somewhere in between the more humorous faction (Etron Fou Leloublan) and the darker, more serious groups (Univers Zero).
"Un Peu de L'ame des Bandits", their second album, contains tracks which are all over the map musically.
The opener, "A Modern Lesson", has that unique This Heat rocked-out feel with a loose, improvisatory, female vocal style similar to Gutura (an obscure French avant progressive act). This is followed by the two-part "Palmiers en Pots", a relatively traditional homage to 1920's Polish living room dance parties. "Geistage Nacht" is the requisite Zeuhl number with great throbbing bass by Fred Frith and excellent winds work from Michel Berckmans and leader Marc Hollander. Also noticeable here is a pioneering version of what would later be known as "Drums N'Bass" music. A great track! "I Viaggi Formano la Gioventu" is a trip to the Middle East with dumbeg and cello playing traditional scales. Similar in some ways to Agitation Free circa Malesch without the psychedelic guitar. So naturally a distorted noisy punk number ("Inoculating Rabies") would follow, although all through the mayhem are some nice composed bassoon and bass clarinet work. It's all about contrasts with Aksak Maboul!
Finally "Cinema" closes with a fantastic early Univers Zero-like chamber rock workout. However Aksak Maboul experiment more with free noise than Univers Zero. ever did. Also worth noting is the inclusion of some fabulous tortured Heldonish guitar from Frith.
The CD release contains a bonus track by post-Aksak Maboul band "Honeymoon Killers" which recalls the opening track.
Line-up :
- Marc Hollander / organ, piano, bass clarinet, Alto saxophone, xylophone, percussions
- Vincent Kenis / bass
- Michel Berckmans / basson, oboe
- Chris Cutler / drums, percussions, radio
- Fred Frith / bass, guitar, prepared guitar
- Catherine Jauniaux / voice
- Denis Van Hecke / cello, electric cello, voice
- Frank Wuyts / piano, synthesizer
- Yvon Vromman / guitars, vocals
- Veronique Vincent / guitars
- Gerard Fenerberg / vocals, guitar
- Jeanf Jones Jacob III / drums
Track List :
01. A Modern Lesson (5:00)
02. Palmiers En Pots: Trio / Tango (3:24)
03. Geistige Nacht (5:20)
04. I Viaggi Formano La Gioventu (5:13)
05. Inoculating Rabies (1:59)
06. Cinema (23:03)
07. Bosses De Crosses (Bonus) (7:02)
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