MAIS ON NE PEUT PAS RÊVER TOUT LE TEMPS

4.5 stars. After producing MAGMA's "Attahk" album Laurent Thibault decided to make his own solo album. He got help from Lisa Bois who sang on the MAGMA album he had just produced, as well as former MAGMA members Francis Moze and Richard Raux. Interesting that Laurent was the original bass player for MAGMA prior to their first album release, and was replaced on bass by Francis Moze. Lionel Ledissez helps on vocal melodies, he was the singer for ERGO SUM who were the first band Laurent signed to his then record label. Interesting that Lionel helped out on vocals with UNIVERSIA ZEKT who also put out an album on Laurent's label back then. That band of course was pretty much MAGMA under a different name in order that they could release on Laurent's label(see my review for that album for full explanation). Amanda Parsons lends her beautiful vocal melodies to the first track. She of course sang with HATFIELD AND THE NORTH and NATIONAL HEALTH. Laurent met her through Francis Moze who in turn had met her in the UK when he was with GONG. The music itself does not have an obvious Zeuhl flavour, but we do get a taste of it along with Arabic, Indian, African, Folk and Jazz all blended together. I have to say that the music here far surpassed my expectations.

"Oree" opens with a pastoral setting as gentle guitar and Amanda's soprano vocal melodies create paradise for the ears. Cymbals then light drums and keys are added to the melody. Laurent's wife Jacqueline plays the keys. Lisa adds her vocal melodies to Amandas' and violin comes in. Flute after 5 minutes. The tempo picks up a minute later with drums outfront. This is a beautiful passage. Lionel, Amanda and Lisa sing together in this Indian inspired passage that follows. The bass is fat and the music is uptempo. Suddenly it calms right down to the original melody with flute, gentle guitar, keys and violin all eventually taking part. Liquid keys after 10 minutes. The song ends with Laurent's 8 year old daughter playing a toy piano(can you say dissonant). That was actually the same toy piano David Bowie played on the original version of "China Girl" by IGGY POP on his "The Idiot" album that was recorded at Laurent's studio.

"Aquadingen" starts so calmly and builds with drums and bass leading the way. A full sound 2 minutes in with crazy vocals from Serge Derrien. It settles back down a minute later as we get sax, odd metered drumming, violin and animal sounds. This sounds amazing by the way. "La Caravane De L'Oubli" has a strong Arabic flavour. It opens with a catchy melody with drums leading the way. The sound is building until we get female vocals taken from a religious record of Laurent's of a muezzin calling for evening prayer. "Mais On Ne Peut Pas Tout Le Temps" opens with a dark mood as drums beat away. It calms down as female vocal melodies and the sound of water can be heard. Children are heard playing before the pace picks up. Check out the fretless bass of Moze ! Drums lead the way as the dark mood returns with vocal melodies. Sax comes in as the melody temporarily stops then returns just as fast. Derrien comes in yelling and laughing as that fantastic dark melody continues. Incredible song. The first and the last songs are truly genius.

This is a spellbinding release that I can't say enough good things about. A must have.