À NEUF

Julverne recorded soon a second album, ''A neuf'' at Studio Caramelle with an expanded 10-piece line-up.No Jean Coulon, Richard Rousselet, Anne Denis or Michel Dayez around, instead Pierre Coulon would welcome Michel Berckmans of Univers zéro and Art Zoyd fame on bassoon, Cos' pianist Charles Loos, bassist Jose Bedeur, Baudouin Dehaye on vocals, Philippe Duret on clarinet and Jean-Francois Lacroix on sax.A change of label also occured with Julverne producing their second album on the newly established Crammed label of Cos and Aksak Maboul's composer and leader Marc Hollander.This work came out in 1980.

Again the style of Julverne was an eerie and ethereal Chamber Rock with dominant wind instruments and lots of Classical piano lines, offering music that can be dramatic and positive at the same time.The absence of rock instruments may cause some confusion to the average fan of Progressive Rock or even R.I.O., but the impressive level of individual performances and the intricate compositions are rewarding for fans of Classical and even Fusion music.Julverne's new album has tons of haunting moments with clarinets and saxes in evidence next to melancholic violins and cellos.However there are also plenty of dreamy instrumental parts like performed by a small orchestra, mainly led by elegant flutes and smooth piano.At times the atonal music flirts even with the Avant-Garde fields, but on the whole the pieces performed have a strong 19th century vibe akin to UNIVERS ZERO and ART ZOYD's works.The musicianship is rich and fairly complex as expected, but again some more depth into a slighty rockier approach possibly would have made ''A neuf'' a bit better.

A pure highlight for lovers of Classical Music and Chamber Rock in the vein of UNIVERS ZERO and AFTER CRYING as well as R.I.O. fanatics.But this should be given also a small chance by some more people due to the excellence and professionalism of this ensemble.Warmly recommended.