PATRICK GAUTHIER

1. "Des pygm'es dans la ville" (6:34) I kind of happy Calypso Zuehl. (9/10)

2. "Sur les flots verticaux" (10:01) One of the greatest prog/Zeuhl 'classical' 'tudes ever written. The Coltrane, Orff and D'bussy influences are strong here. Gorgeous vocal arrangements and renderings. (10/10)

3. "Le train fant'me" (7:18) odd and unusual but hypnotic in the Zeuhl fashion, so I guess it's a success. Just . . . weird. (9/10)

4. "Odessa" (4:11) is pure classical/jazz piano soloing. Very Gershwinian. (8.5/10)

5. "Eleutheren" (8:17) is founded, unfortunately, on almost the exact same rhythm as song #3. The vocal expedition is different--more Magma and Broadway music styled (Manhattan Transfer)--though I hear monastic chant as well. Amazing "piccolo" bass play. Well performed, interestingly and creatively composed. (9/10)

6. "Zawinal" (8:26) another Broadway-esque/Manhattan Transfer-like song. Too repetitive, over-dramatic and drawn out. (7/10)

First off, it sounds (to me) closer to Weidorje than to Magma or Heldon.... There is a fine ensemble sound but no Zeuhl vocals (a la Magma) and not much in the way of sequenced electronics, minimalist repetition and punk-heavy guitars (a la Heldon) ... [although track 3 is an alternative version of the second track from Heldon's excellent Stand By album]

The group playing on this record is immense - top players (Vander/Paganotti/Pinhas etc etc) at the top of their games performing material perfectly suited to what they can bring to the table, a high level of energy and groove from beginning to end, intriguing compositions, unusual rhythms, harmonies and textures.

In short - a masterpiece from start to finish ...

"Bebe Godzilla" really impresses me because of Christian Vander's drum work and Paganotti's bass lines. Lots of piano from Gauthier here but check out Vander ! Pinhas comes in on guitar after 2 1/2 minutes making some wondrous noise. "Le Grand-Maitre Orient" is dedicated to Christian Vander and he also plays on it. Didier Batard from HELDON plays electric bass and we get the Guillard brothers from WEIDORJE on wind instruments.This is uptempo with so much going on. All these intricate sounds coming and going. Vander once again impresses. Some marimbas and violin as well. "Mixture-Trautorium" opens with electronics from Pinhas before David Rose comes in on violin. Auger from HELDON is on drums here. "Benoit Et Les Riverboppers" features three guys playing mini-moog. Bertram is on electric bass. This is a top three track for me. Love the bass, electric piano and drums throughout this song. So much going on. A collage of sounds.

"Heldon" is dedicated of course to Richard Pinhas. Kirt Rust from WEIDORJE is on drums here, Paganotti on bass. The piano sounds great from Gauthier.The tempo picks up before 3 minutes with some outstanding drum work. "Riding On White Horses" is a short piece with Steve Shehan on percussion. We can hear other sounds as well. "En Passant Par La Transylvanie" is another top three tune. Gauthier plays some Hammond on this one while Pinhas is on guitar. Lots going on with all these intricate sounds. Drums 2 minutes in with organ to follow. "Nor" is dedicated to WEIDORJE and is my final top three. Love the intro. Lots of guitar on here and Widemann offers up a mini-moog solo. The drumming from Rust is so crisp 2 1/2 minutes in. Pinhas on guitar 7 1/2 minutes in.

This is an all-star cast who came out to help out their talented friend Patrick Gauthier, and we are the ones who benefit in a big way. Great record.