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Sunday, January 13, 2013

Total Issue - Total Issue (1971 france, exceptional prog fusion jazz rock, 2012 Flawed Gems extra tracks edition)



Driven by the momentum, liberating and creative May 68, many groups inspired by the French Anglo-American pop that bloomed on the hexagon.  Total Issue  formed in 1970, made its way into jazz circuits accompanying jazzmen French and American way. Released their  eponymous album on the United Artists label in 1971. 

"Total Issue" is the reflection of their time and merges the French song and singing in English. "La Porte Ouverte" is undoubtedly  one of the highlights, it starts as jazzy folk reminds "Cadence and Cascade" by King Crimson less melancholy, melt quickly in an environment where tribal flute warm absorbs us,  and with the  wah – wah acid guitar, turns into a creepy trip. 

When we listen to these psych prog jazz influences, we could easily believe that this work could have a different fate if it was released  in the States or Britain,. In fact, we are dealing with an album that lacks coherence can be endearing, easy to listen to but the default will be the work of a French quintet. 

When they disbanded the following year, every member took his own road more or less successful. Texier and Romano made a solid reputation on the European jazz scene, both in their own discography and in collaborations with artists such as John abercrombie, Didier Lockwood Beck and Gordon (note that Romaro is sponsoring and honorary chairman Archie Shepp Jazz Festival of Porquerolles Island since its inception in 2002). 
by Jimmy James


Tracks
1. Les Marins - 3:30
2. La Porte Ouverte - 8:20
3. Come Down - 2:55
4. Over The Shadow - 3:05
5. Rustique - 6:25
6. Quiet Place - 2:25
7. Dis-Mais-Dis - 4:03
8. Résurrection - 3:45
9. Instrumental Jam I - 1:13
10.Instrumental Jam II - 5:55

Total Issue
*Henri Texier - Bass, Percussion, Vocal
*Aldo Romano - Lead Vocal, Drums, Guitar
*Georges Locatelli - Lead Guitar, Percussions, Vocal
*Michel Libretti - Violin, Guitar, Drum, Percussion, Vocal
*Chris Hayward - Flute, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocal

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14 comments:

  1. Thank you for introducing a hidden gem, Marios.

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  2. First time on CD! published in 1971 (by United Artists) only one album French formation singing mainly in English and playing racial, slightly psychedelic. quite dark progressive rock in the style of a little softened achievements Jethro Tull, Van Der Graaf Generator, Procol Harum and early Genesis – mixed with ballad.

    “Total Issue” is the reflection of a time when we experience and merges all goes regardless of any musical label. Hesitating between the French song and singing in English, French, however, is that the parts will be remarkable. Because with the exception of “Come Down” (acoustic folk a nice ride), “The Shadow Over” and “Quiet Place” sweet pop colors are frankly not necessary with this bad English sung by French.
    For the rest it is a treat. It begins with “The Marine” with this heavy battery and this guitar seems we dive into the waves accompanied by a bass. In addition, it smells great outdoors with the proper operation of vocalizations. But the best is undoubtedly “The Open Door” and “Rustic”. “The Open Door” which opened jazzy folk reminds “Cadence & Cascade” of KING CRIMSON less melancholy, share quickly in an environment where tribal flute warm absorbs us. Then the guitar with wah acid rock turns into a vaguely disturbing. More tense, “Rustic” is an epic piece that will reveal the flute and bewitching air. As for guitars, they will cross, one in acid, the other into a frenzy funky jazz. Listening to a “Total Issue” psyche prog jazz influences, one could easily believe that this work would have had a different fate if it had been published in San Francisco or Liverpool.

    So after many years”Total Issue” which lived to official CD release deserves to be rehabilitated for listening without moderation.
    It is a very good and quite easy to ‘assimilable’ album – sounding more like 1969-1970 than 1971. In addition, included two bonus unreleased instrumental recordings from French television.

    Thx Marios & Laurent!

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  3. Fabulous - French psyche is so hard to come by over here, and this is a real gem. Many thanks.

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  4. Thank you Marios..
    great post!
    Ευχαριστώ πολύ φίλε μου...

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  5. Thanks - never heard of this one !

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  6. Hi, Can you repost this beautifull french band.Thanks again.

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  7. Hi Marios! Can you repost this one please? Thanks.

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  8. JimPlant, "Total Issue - Total Issue 1971", reissued....

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  9. Awesome! Thank you so much for this gem!

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