NYL

This is one psychedelic trip !! I've stopped listening to Phallus Dei for this review. My only knowledge of French Space-Rockers 'Nyl' is from the sole LP I acquired many years ago - it features 9 tracks, clocks in at just over half an hour, and is a real treat. Looks like they've discovered vault material for the CD re- issue which may be worth looking into..... The project is centred around drummer Stephane Rossini and guitarist Michel Peteau, who also composed all of the words and music. Helping heads and hands include those of, now this was the name that stood out to me - JANICK TOP, contributing some of his trademark Zeuhl bass to 3 tracks, one of which is an excellent rhythmic jam at 8 minutes long, Bernard Lavialle (gtr) and Patrick Fontaine (bass) both from AME SON, Olivier Pamela (bass/vocals - who appeared on the album by Delired Cameleon Family - he was responsible for singing out his craving of illicit substances in the last track of the album, which was an offshoot of Cyrille Verdeaux's CLEARLIGHT project) and other lesser known folks on vocals, saxes and keyboards. The music is bursting with energy with an almost punk-like aggression displayed occasionally. As I listen, Pamela's voice is gritty and harsh (the tracks 'Abery' and 'Blue Eyes' especially - the former is quite a catchy piece in all its Hippie glory, whilst the latter is a psychedelic ramble) but he plays some cool bass, Elizabeth Weiner's voice on 'Ailes d'or' is quite stoned but suits this mostly acoustic tune, some pretty piano lines here and Top at his subtlest. Instrumental tracks 'Nyarlathotep' has some excellent guitars with a fast paced rhythm, Rossini's drumming being vibrant and lively, and Top's growly bass adding distinct textures, 'Shatt' shows off some mellow guitar chords strummed over a lazy beat whilst a sax solos over the top, 'Dromadaire Bleu' is rather upbeat, quality space-rock which reminds me of Ozric Tentacles (at least part of it sounds like the end section of the track Jurassic Shift) and 'Dervishes' opens with gliss-guitar and evolves into another psychey jam. 'Ibha' has some vocals but starts out with a groovy jam then quickly shifts into overdrive with manic guitaring and synth sounds. This is a corker of an album that all Space-Heads need to investigate.