PHASE IV

This fourth album is a double vinyl and might just be the cornerstone of AZ's career. Obviously named after its chronological order, this album is reversing the trend that was letting Zaboitzeff becoming an equal partner in composition time, with Hourbette taking the lion's share here. Most notably line-up change is Thierry Willems replacing Patricia Dallio on piano. The percussion are handled by the wind players Soarez and Pietton, and for the first time in two records, no guest from Univers Zero.

What to say about this album except that it is yet another typical AZ album so far and whatever you have found in previous albums, you will find roughly the same. Etat D'Urgence (penned by Zaboitzeff) is one strong long epic an ever-changing and dense composition with dronal tones. Most of the rest of the (shorter) tracks on the first disc (bar two) are all from Hourbette and are definitely darker, more enigmatic, so the balance is somewhat respected. The second disc however is an almost entirely Hourbette affair, but it is well in the line of the first disc, the two long tracks Chemin De Lumière and La Nuit being the highlights.

Not any better (or worse than the previous album or the following two), Phase IV is an excellent RIO-Zeuhl record, but just one more to add to the pack, but then again, this kind of classical music is never easy on the nerves and to listen to both disc at a time would actually be an exploit for almost the whole planet including progressive music minded intellectuals. Although impressive, it is difficult to recommend this album, especially if you mean to listen to it as a whole album at once.