IL EST UNE LEGENDE

As with the NWOBPR movement in England trying to recapture the 70's prog style in modern forms, a small amount of French bands like Synopsis, Opale, Grime and others tried the same thing in France influenced by the likes of Atoll, Ange and Mona Lisa.One of these groups were also Nuance from Perpignan, a group from early-80's led by guitarist singer Rafaël Marco.Nuance released their debut ''Il est une légende'' in 1982 as a private press.

The first album of the band contains a huge influence from ANGE's Theatrical Symphonic Rock, played in an old-fashioned way with some nice movements and a great balance between vocal and instrumental moments.The style is built around symphonic arrangements with not so difficult structures, characterized by the massive ANGE-like organ waves, the interesting guitar work and the sensitive French vocals.And as with ANGE, Nuance's music offers plenty of soft acoustic textures with both a lyrical and folky twist.On the other hand the somewhat 80's sounding electric parts (close to the likes of late-70's/early-80's CAMEL/PINK FLOYD) and the light use of synthesizers show clearly the mood of the band to create something closer to a new prog era than being stuck as an act to the past.The compositions are well-executed yet a bit safe, lacking any drastic interplays, with slow-driving instrumental passages and a relaxing but still very emotional atmosphere overall to go along with some very good vocal arrangements and a fair dose of changing climates.

This album is definitely a must-have for all fans of the so called ''70's French Prog'' sound but it is sure to please also Symphonic Rock and Neo Prog fans.Recommended.