CYCLE I

4.5 stars. This one might grow to five stars eventually. This French band incorporate two Fender Rhodes players, a female vocalist, drums, bass and sax. James MacGaw from ONE SHOT and MAGMA guests on guitar here as well. By the way Udi Koomran mastered this beauty. I swear Udi has mastered about six albums i've reviewed of late. Anyway this album is called "Cycle I" but when you open the cd cover it says "Cycle I...from darkness to consciousness"

"Ombres" opens with atmosphere as piano, sax, drums, bass and vocals build as they all come and go. A very cool sounding way to start. "Tristesse" opens with a light beat, bass and piano. A low hum joins in too. A calm before 3 1/2 minutes as vocals come in softly. Nice. "Intuition" has an ambient intro with reserved vocals and piano that slowly build. The sax before 3 1/2 minutes plays slowly. Drums 5 1/2 minutes in as the sound gets fuller. Vocals are back 6 1/2 minutes in. Sax follows as it builds again. It settles back 12 minutes in.

"Voir" opens with atmospheric keys then these soft vocals take over quickly. Flute, drums and keys come in. This is dark and laid back. It kicks in before 3 minutes but settles again quickly. The tempo starts to shift back and forth. Sax late as it blends into "Ouverture". This is a short but more powerful tune than what we've heard so far. It blends into "Conscience" which has some nice growly bass with vocals, keys and drums also standing out. Sax before 3 minutes as the vocals stop.

"Connaitre" is mellow with piano, sax and drums as vocals join in.The sax starts to lead as the vocals stop. Piano's turn to lead 5 1/2 minutes in. Some nasty bass too. "Etre" has a beat with bass and piano. Vocal melodies follow. I love the sound here. It blends into "Unite which is led by piano and cymbals before the vocals come in after a minute. James arrives with some intricate guitar melodies that go on and on. Nice. It settles after 9 1/2 minutes.

This is a gorgeous Zeuhl album that is very laid back and mellow. There's little in the way of breakouts here. It's like being in a beautiful dream to be honest.