Musiciens-magiciens

Description

ATOLL remains today one of the most well-known French progressive rock bands of the Seventies, if not among the best. Singer André BALZER, virtuoso drummer Alain GOZZO, and their colleagues deliver music that is both complex and meticulously crafted, with sophisticated arrangements and a constant search for melody. Recorded in 1974, "Musiciens-Magiciens" proves to be a highly successful debut album. An undeniable masterpiece from the Metz formation, "L'Araignée-Mal" (1975) marks the arrival of talented guitarist Christian BEYA and skilled violinist Richard AUBERT (KOMINTERN, GONG, TRIBU, VIOLON D'INGRES, ABRACADABRA...). The two keyboardists intelligently showcase their Mellotrons and other Moogs within compositions full of twists and turns. This album remains the most ambitious ever produced by ATOLL, with the band reaching the peak of their art at this precise moment. The inspired and masterfully executed jazz-rock of "Cazotte N°2" harmoniously coexists with two lengthy pieces of wild lyricism, as well as the nearly twenty-minute conceptual title suite. The whole reaches a level of sophistication that places ATOLL alongside YES or KING CRIMSON, as well as THE MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA. An eloquent business card! Now recognized for their melodic and instrumental perfection as well as their talents as composers and arrangers, the members present "Tertio" (without a second keyboardist or violinist) two years later, resolutely oriented towards a polished progressive rock where the singer's distinctive voice becomes verbal music. "Rock Puzzle" (1979) features more concise and varied music, following the directions taken by their contemporaries ANGE and MONA LISA at the same time. The first two albums include live bonus tracks, and the fourth features three unreleased songs with the illustrious John WETTON! Disillusioned by the breakup of U.K., the British singer-bassist had seriously considered joining the Metz group. He would offer them compositions like "Here Comes The Feeling," which were later covered by ASIA! The first four studio albums of ATOLL are now reissued by the Musea label in digipack format, replicating the original vinyl cover designs. "Tokyo, C'Est Fini" is a live album recorded in Japan in 1989 by the "new ATOLL," in which Christian BEYA remains the only original member, now accompanied by youngsters like singer Raoul LEININGER and drummer Gilles BONNABAUD. It was during this time that the last official album of ATOLL, "L'Océan," was recorded. This album is now reissued by the Musea label, which offers it in a significantly improved version. The CD indeed features several re-recorded or unreleased parts, while the bonuses include two live tracks, as well as the song "Try Not To Worry," composed in 1983 by a short-lived formation. The beautiful cover is greatly inspired by the one illustrating the famous "Tales From Topographic Oceans," painted by Roger DEAN for YES. Musically speaking, the band has perfectly adapted their complex personality to the sound of the eighties. Do you want a one-way ticket to the best of French progressive rock? Immediate boarding!