II

It is always nice to get a nice surprise. This record is an exit from the shores of Lake Geneva (Nyon, Switzerland). Recorded in one week in 1977, published in vinyl version a thousand copies only, we can not say that release had shocked the crowds at the time.

Thirty years later, a CD version was born, coincidence or favorable context, about the same time as an unexpected Pulsar album which it refers involuntarily musically. And even though the approach of the two band is different stamps voices of the singers, their sensitivity as a guitarist, fragile and cloud environments, strong evocation of a glorious past of symphonic prog are all matches that is hard to ignore.

If the creative effort of Pulsar with their Ashes Memory consists of original compositions, seems more obvious principle, that of Trocarn II, who gets most of the compositions Trocarn first version is altogether more impressive. Indeed, Christian Fues, swiss guitarist and main architect of Trocarn, has occasionally done things and is not merely a dusting surface. He took the radical option of re-work the entire original work, complement and extend the melodies and better managed, expand and re-arrange the harmonies and then re-record everything in its home studio with current technology. Even taking care to invite some of the founding members of the group.

Is obtained at the output a singular work, modern and classic at the same time. And from a quiet original prog album , we get a real rocket prog timeless sip of emotion on edge and moments of grace;

Although it is apparently easier to create from an existing material than doing scratch, this profusion of ideas, these bursts of inspiration from what is more the brain of one man, are worthy of the greatest interest or praise that I did not hesitate a second to do, as if these refreshing album had been made for my own enjoyment. I almost forget the inevitable limitations of the approach: an honorable production, more inventive than flamboyant, singing Christian Fues endearing powerful, rhythmic programming, discrete and varied, who can not forget the absence of a true original drummer.

Details than that. The new version of Trocarn works great. The extraordinary "Naif" (9:50), a cross between Steve Hackett and the best symphonic of Ange discography, "The Farmer" (9:52 p.m.) a piece creates again with sincerity, humility and simplicity that are the inverse of the facility and does not prevent the inventiveness; Respecting its ideals, Christian Fues Trocarn II has offered us an album that flows from source and for once, it is water that could give lessons to the source.