BEAU SOLEIL

A unique band formed in 1987 by former Shylock guitarist Frederic L'Epee.After Shylock disbanded L'Epee studied composition in the Nice music conservatory between 1983 and 1987.These studies led him to form Philharmonie, initially featuring four guitarists besides him with a Jazz background.Through time Frederic would only collaborate with Bernard Ros and Laurent Chalef and this stable Philharmonie trio would self-produce the debut ''Beau soleil'' in 1990.

This is a trully experimental record of three guitarists performing both individually and simultaneously in an album, that produces dreamy, ethereal and Ambient-like atmospheres.Already since his days with Shylock L'Epee had been compared to ROBERT FRIPP regarding his style and this comparison seems reasonable again listening to ''Beau soleil'', where the three guitarists use these FRIPP-ian techniques to result obscure soundscapes, based on steady grooves, light jazzy solos, dark distortions and generally series of unique collaborations.The ability to come up with a very personal and haunting atmosphere marks Philharmonie as a very original act, however the long duration of the album does not really help, a length of 30-40 minutes would be really great and the time plenty enough for the listener to catch up with the idea, unfortunately ''Beau soleil'' tends to sound rather boring after the 40-min. mark.

Hard to fully describe it, but good enough to purchase it, ''Beau soleil'' is an album with a unique sound of its own and definitely in need of a decent reissue by a major label, fully representative of Frederic L'Epee's musical personality.Recommended to all guitar freaks and lovers of deep music atmospheres.