LES SILLONS DE LA TERRE

ETRON FOU LELOUBLAN from France were one of the original Rio bands from the seventies. This is their fourth and next to last album that was released in 1984. According to the liner notes this record "Is one of the closest studio approximations to the band's "live" sound. And it has a harder edged, more bare-boned approach than the preceeding album, "Les Poumons Gonfies" produced by Fred Frith in 1981. "Les Sillons De La Terre" ("The Furrows Of The Earth") may also embody ETRON FOU's strongest affinities to Jazz..." This is a fun album, kind of quirky with male and female vocals. I really like the bass which is very prominant throughout. Lots of sax, keyboards and drums as well.

"Phare Plafond" has a catchy rhythm to open with bass and drums leading the way. Sax and organ come in. Female vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. She's almost yelling the words. Great sound when she stops singing and the focus goes back to the impressive instrumental work. "Les Vitres" opens with deep bass lines as sax and drums come in. Male vocals and keys follow. The sax is pretty cool on this track. I really like this one. "Les Alsaciennes" opens with a sax and drum melody. I like the bass and organ that follows. The sax and bass section is kind of silly then the organ and bass return. "Nouveau" opens with guitar and bass. The tempo picks up as keys come in. Sax follows. Love the deep bass lines. Spoken male words 2 minutes in. Guitar is back.

"L'Enfance De Guigou" opens with organ, sax and bass. Male vocals come in. Great sound ! What a fantastic sound 5 minutes in, so laid back. "Emoi" is jazzy and uptempo as female vocals join in. She gets theatrical at times. It settles with organ before 3 minutes as sax plays over top. "C'est Pas Bien" opens with pulsating sounds before the vocals and spacey organ comes in with light drums. These are contrasted throughout. I like it ! "Et Qu'Cet Air-La" is mostly sax and piano throughout. "Lavabo" opens with sax, organ and spoken vocals. Huge bass comes in. Strummed guitar after a minute. It's jazzy before 2 1/2 minutes as themes are repeated. "Le Jeu L'alcool Et Les Femmes" opens with sax. It kicks in before a minute with fat bass, organ and light drums. Sax continues though. So intricate here. Themes are repeated.

Certainly this band is a must for Rio fans out there. They're an important part of the history of this genre. Excellent album as well.