(Experimental, Avant-Garde) VA (Cathy Claret, David Fenech, General Alcazar, Jac Berrocal, Kawaii, Pierre Bastien, Richard Pinhas) - Assemblage de pieces comeladiennes du plus bel effet (A Tribute to Pascal Comelade) - 2009, MP3, 192 kb

This curiously named production is a tribute, or perhaps rather a testimony, to the works and spirit of French composer Pascal Comelade, described in one place as someone who "specializes in a progressive-rock format with childish nuances such as toy instruments". From what I can gather this disc consists partially of his own works covered by a variety of artists and partially by original works made in the spirit of this French composer.
The end result is a challenging affair, of the kind that challenges the listener's opinion about what can be described as music, with creations ranging from naivistic experiments with a barrage of toys and toy instruments to distinctly jazz-oriented pieces with musical elements added from less likely sources of musical input. With detours to cacaphonic noise collages as well as the last piece - a dreamy, space-tinged synth affair with noises of more or less unknown origin coming and going in the back of the mix while the floating textures gradually are lifted more and more to the front of the mix, creating the illusion of the sound level increasing.
A production most of interest to those who appreciate and enjoy the works of Comelade and similar artists, and I presume it'll be a good introduction to this particular part of the progressive musical universe for those who enjoy having their musical perceptions challenged. This curiously named production is a tribute, or perhaps rather a testimony, to the works and spirit of French composer Pascal Comelade, described in one place as someone who "specializes in a progressive-rock format with childish nuances such as toy instruments". From what I can gather this disc consists partially of his own works covered by a variety of artists and partially by original works made in the spirit of this French composer.
The end result is a challenging affair, of the kind that challenges the listener's opinion about what can be described as music, with creations ranging from naivistic experiments with a barrage of toys and toy instruments to distinctly jazz-oriented pieces with musical elements added from less likely sources of musical input. With detours to cacaphonic noise collages as well as the last piece - a dreamy, space-tinged synth affair with noises of more or less unknown origin coming and going in the back of the mix while the floating textures gradually are lifted more and more to the front of the mix, creating the illusion of the sound level increasing.
A production most of interest to those who appreciate and enjoy the works of Comelade and similar artists, and I presume it'll be a good introduction to this particular part of the progressive musical universe for those who enjoy having their musical perceptions challenged. Windhawk