This Jazz-Rock group from Belgium was founded by Marc Moulin:
Marc Moulin (16 August 1942 – 26 September 2008) was a Belgian musician and journalist (print, radio, TV). In the early-mid seventies, he was the leader of the jazz-rock group Placebo (not to be confused with the English alternative rock band with the same name). He went on to become a member of the avant-rock band Aksak Maboul in 1977 and also formed the pop group Telex in 1978. Moulin was one of Belgium’s jazz legends, making jazz-influenced records for over 30 years.
Marc Moulin was born in Ixelles, Brussels in 1942 and was the son of Léo Moulin, a sociologist and writer, and Jeanine Moulin, a Belgian poet and literary critic. Moulin began his career in the 1960s playing the piano throughout Europe and in 1961 won the Bobby Jaspar trophy for Best Soloist at the Comblain-la-Tour festival. Moulin made his first recording, the Jazz Goes Swinging LP with The Saint-Tropez Jazz Octet (also known as Johnny Dover Octet) in 1969. Two years later, he formed the band Placebo with his close friend, guitar player Philip Catherine. Placebo recorded three albums (‘Ball Of Eyes’, ‘1973’ and ‘Placebo’) and one 45 rpm single from 1971 until the group split up in 1976.
After Placebo disbanded, Moulin formed Telex with Michel Moers (vocals) and Dan Lacksman (synthesizer) in 1978 and his style shifted to electro pop.[2] He also began working as producer for artists such as Lio, Michel Moers, Sparks, Philip Catherine, French crooner Alain Chamfort and left-field artists such as Anna Domino and Kid Montana. During the ’80s, Moulin worked as a radio producer, appeared regularly on radio shows, and wrote for various Belgian publications, including ‘Télémoustique’.[4][5]
Moulin died of throat cancer on 26 September 2008. He was 66 years old. (by wikipedia)
This is studio album number two for this Jazz/Rock band from Belgium. A nine piece here with plenty of horns including tenor sax, soprano sax, trumpet, trombone, bass clarinet and flugelhorn. We also get flute, bass, guitar, drums and a variety of keyboards including synths from band leader Marc Moulin.
“Bolkwush” is a great opener as we get keys, drums and bass right away as horns arrive blasting and they will come and go. Love that trumpet just before a minute as other horns continue to come and go. I also like the low end sounding keys and bass along with the steady, punchy sounding drums. “Temse” has intricate drum work as horns and flute kick in briefly. The electric piano takes over as the horns return. Such a good groove to this one as the horns come and go over top. Some clavinet too after 2 minutes.
“Phalene” has a relaxed sound to it of electric piano, drums and a horn to start. Bass joins in as well to this lazy and smokey sounding song. Such a chilled-out track as it drifts along with different sounds coming and going over top. Love that electric piano. “Balek” might be my favourite though. We get these deep sounds that pulse as drums help out. Melancholic synths and horns start to come and go. Electric piano after a minute. The melancholic synths are back after 2 1/2 minutes to the end.
“Polk” is kind of funky as electric piano joins in. Horns before 1 1/2 minutes replace the piano but the latter returns a minute later. “Only Nineteen” opens with bass and drums and they create an excellent sound here as the electric piano joins in quickly. Some brief blasting horns before 2 1/2 minutes before they turn steady playing over top.
“Red Net” has relaxed electric piano as slowly played horns join in. This is really laid back. Electric piano leads the way for the most part other than early on and late. “Re-Union” is different from the rest. Atmosphere hums and hovers as it floats along throughout. Sounds like electronics over the final minute which is kind of cool. (Mellotron Storm)
In other words: Excellent and hypnotic Jazz-Rock !!!
Personnel:
Frans Van Dijk (trombone)
Johnny Dover (horns)
Nick Fissette (trumpet)
Nick Kletchkovski (bass)
Marc Moulin (keyboards)
Freddy Rottier (drums, percussion)
Richard Rousselet (trumpet)
Alex Scorier (saxophone, flute)
Francis Weyer (guitar, bass)
Tracklist:
01. Bolkwush 5.44
02. Temse 3.45
03. Phalene 7.52
04. Balek 4.22
05. Polk 3.22
06. Only Nineteen 3.51
07. Red Net 5.41
08. Re-Union 5.24
Music composed by Marc Moulin
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