GALGAL (MASAL)

Named after his lone album released in 1984, keyboardist/pianist Jean-Paul Prat revived the name of Masal in 2009, after taking onboard his son Jean on drums.Masal was actually the name of his first band and in this new formation he teamed up with saxophonist Richard Heritier, who also played with Prat on the 84' ''Masal'' album.His other contributors were Julien Sarazin on bass, Alain Debiossat  from the Jazz Rock act Sixun on saxes and guitarist Olivier Louvel.Musea has been supporting Prat already from the 90's, re-releasing his 84' lost effort, and was an easy choice for promoting his new album ''Galgal'' in September 2009.

Father and son make an impressive collaboration here, based mostly on the old French tradition of throbbing Zeuhl bands and delivering bombastic and energetic Fusion, based on piano, keyboards and drums.Music has this dramatic and almost theatrical atmosphere created by French Fusion acts in the 70's, even if it's all instrumental, characterized by its tension on atmospheres, the complexiy of the arrangements, the jazzy underlines and the piano dominance.Lots of propulsive rhythms, tons of tempo changes, sporadic apply of electrified textures and some very good sax interventions produce a dense and haunting sound, which is highlighted by a great number of interplays between saxes and piano and a neverending mood for progressive structures, sudden tempo changes but also display of some more ethereal moments to keep things balanced.No doubt, Prat is in excellent form and his composing as well as executing skills remain at the highest of levels with his son being an absolute monster behind the drum kit.While guitars do not appear very often, they contribute a hell of a sharp edge to the music and come as a fascinating addition, when proposed.But even without them, ''Galgal'' retains a very rich profile in complicated moves and dynamic structures with Prat making a great performance on piano.

Zeuhl/Fusion, slightly updated to meet the standards of younger listeners.Dramatic, intricate and completely spontaneous.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.