Marie-Ange Cousin - Beau Temps Sur Tous Les Territoires

Can't think of anything that sounds like this LP: complex vocal jazz tunes backed by the cream of the crop of Rouen's progressive jazz scene and Normandie art-rock legend Philippe Dorsay. A true one-of-a-kind record and the kind that is both weird and highly enjoyable.

It might have the look and feel of an outsider private press, but this is not exactly what it is. Beau Temps Sur Tous Les Territoires (BTSTLT) was indeed released on a tiny label and the artwork was made by Marie-Ange Cousin herself, but the musicians on this album are far from being beginners; most of them were omnipresent in the Normandie's fusion jazz scene of the 1970's and 1980's. Philippe Dorsay, who wrote a couple of songs, is a major figure of Rouen's underground scene, since the late 1960's. He released two milestones of French art-rock as Philippe Dorsay / Les Associaux Associés, and would later write the #1 French minimal synth classic, Ruth's "Polaroid/Roman Photo".

With such a team onboard, how exactly can the music sound like? Firstly, it's driven by Marie-Ange Cousin's warm, deep and precise voice, captured with an incredible level of details - every variation, every breath she takes is recorded by the microphones. Her vocal technique, paired with paronomasia-relying lyrics, somehow recalls Magma's Kobaïan; and the music itself reminds of Magma's grooviest and least baroque moments. "Molle Ouate" and "Douze Zombies" are both particularly stunning examples of the mutant groove and unique balance the band came up with. What also makes this album unique is its thematic progression revolving around motherhood, desire for a child and pregnancy. All this contribute to make BTSTLT an essential stop in the French avant-garde galaxy. Very clean copy. (VG+/VG+)

Tracklist

1. Pour Toi
2. Juliette Des Lilas
3. Effervescence
4. J'ai Envie
5. Ta Belle Tombe Rose
6. Doucement, Avec Le Temps
7. Pour Marie
8. Molle Ouate
9. Douze Zombies