REMOVING

MOVING GELATINE PLATES created two essential albums in the early seventies that every fan of adventerous music should own. Bassist Didier Thibault decided to keep that spirit alive with an album in 1980 called "Moving" along with this particular record called "ReMoving" released in 2006. Thank you Sagi for your review here but also for mentioning this album many times over the years. No this isn't of the caliber of the two originals but like "Moving" it's a great listen and a solid 4 stars in my opinion. Didier is the driving force here of course and the only original member but this is a great sounding 7 piece band with cello, trombone, violin, trumpet, sax, flute and the usual "rock" instruments. Guests add oboe, sax, viola and choirs.

"Removing" is the 2 1/2 minute opener that opens with someone starting a vehicle and taking off in it before fuzzed out bass kicks in then drums. It lightens as horns arrive almost pulsating at times. The guitar then solos over top then more horns. It all stops as we hear birds chirping as the vehicle pulls up and the person gets out. This blends into "Like A Flower" a top three song for me. Oboe and bass take over as reserved vocals join in. I like this. Violin arrives when the vocals stop briefly. Keys join the vocals then horns after 1 1/2 minutes as the vocals stop again. More oboe then the guitar replaces the oboe before 2 1/2 minutes. Great sound and this is such a feel good track until the tempo picks up after 3 minutes. Still good though. Themes are repeated.

"Enigme" opens with the sound of a person walking before keys than a full sound take over with cello, bass, drums and more. Soprano sax after a minute then flute a minute later takes the lead. It calms down as the guitar plays in a relaxed manner over top. Horns around 4 1/2 minutes. "Comme Avant" opens with an old record being played static and all before drums, bass, violin and more takes over. This is a happy sounding tune where horns also help out. Guitar before 2 1/2 minutes until the horns return. Not bad but one of my least favourites.

"Breakdown" is another top three. Piano and violin to start before fuzzed out bass takes over but the piano, horns, drums and more join in as the violin plays over top. Soon the piano leads but the violin is back quickly. Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes then guitar a minute later as the vocals continue to come and go. "Nico" opens with some humour with someone talking on the phone. Soon the violin and piano lead the way as drums and bass join in. It picks up 2 minutes in then tenor sax arrives. Nice sound here. Guitar replaces the sax before 3 1/2 minutes then the horns replace the guitar before 5 minutes.

"Bellidor" is another one that's not bad but one of my least favs. A classical sound to start with horns and strings but soon it kicks in with a full sound as the violin plays over top. It settles back around 2 minutes with piano, drums, bass and horns as the violin comes and goes. "Waiting For The Rain" is my final top three. Love the melancholy and the intro with the sound of rain and thunder. Quite majestic is God. Keys and atmosphere take over before a minute then this guitar melody is repeated s the sax comes in at 1 1/2 minutes. Vocals follow and I like the lyrics and melancholy. It does pick up though around 2 1/2 minutes, violin too.

"Theo" ends it and it is quite interesting the way the live crowd is mixed in with the instrumental work of course all done with samples in studio for that live affect. An excellent closer overall and I like the humour again here as the pretend concert ends with the singer saying "Thank you, thank you all for coming. MOVING GELATINE PLATES! We hope to see you soon. By the way if some of you could help us put the equipment away? Thank you again" Haha.

It would seem a lot of love and time went into this. I love the samples sprinkled in as well. A really enjoyable listen.