MAISON ROSE

Perhaps the best known of Emmanuelle Parrenin's albums, "Maison Rose" might initially sound like a product of the early 70s. This impression eventually yields to the realization that such a synthesis of styles could only have come about later in that decade. On the surface an acoustic folk record by this talented multi-instrumentalist, it transcends easy labeling through its frequent ambient textures that veer closer to Klaus Schulz than Gabriel Yacoub.

Parrenin possesses an earthy and versatile voice within a range of mellow folk and jazzy realms, with "Thibault et LArbre D'Or" and "Plume Blanche Plume Noire" being high points of both respectively. Still more stunning is the appropriately dreamy and hypnotic "Le Reve" that closes the disk in a minimalist chant of sorts backed by flute and delicate acoustic guitar.

The album is at least half instrumental, and here is where it gets a bit less convincing. Not that there is anything wrong with the atmospheric nature of most of these pieces, but on a short LP- length work, they amount to interesting transitional material without the requisite adhesive effect. "Topaze" is certainly involved and experimental, notable for percussion and studio effects but not worthy of its near 7 minute length. The one that best stands alone is the eerie "Apres L'Ondee", an inductive slice of acoustically based electronica.

Viewed through anything other than rose coloured glasses, this very tranquil reissue is not even a minor classic, but it is still worth hearing if you are into its composite influences and not hampered too much by labels.