PAIX

A brilliant record from Catherine Ribeiro & Alpes from 1972, "Paix" will take you on all sort of lovely journeys. You'll hear what a Cosmophone sounds like on the first track, "Roc Alpin", a sort of joyous and whimsical cross between a reed instrument and an organ in sound. In this first track, there are moments when you'll feel they channel a British psychedelia sound here reminiscent of Kaleidoscope.

"Jusqu'à Ce Que la Foce de T'Aimer Me Manque" is where the record really takes off. A lovely and moody pastoral folk prog with acoustic guitars, organ and synth like sounds emanating from the varied instruments. Ribeiro's vocals are stunning?lower in range than many female singers and this presents a dramatic haunting quality to it that is essential to the effectiveness of their sound for me. Her voice has texture and passion and a beautiful resonance?its presence is well felt, but never dominates the record.

The third track, "Paix" is a stunner?hypnotic and with a wonderful bass and organ melody over a sort of heartbeat-style drum pattern. The middle of the tune is rather chant-like before eventually returning to the main theme toward the end. You will feel you traveled to far out spaces on this one, and this is all before you flip the LP over for a side-long final track "Un Jour... la Mort". I hear some moments that remind me of Romania's Phoenix, or Sam Gopal?at other times Pink Floyd.

Although there is a variety of approaches they take in sound and songwriting on here, the record never feels like it lacks cohesiveness. They collage these sounds together wonderfully and are patient, not wanting to give up on a melody too quickly. The 2018 Universal Music France reissue LP sounds delightful, and any fan of psych-folk-prog and international rock should consider this essential listening. 4.5 stars.