Customer Reviews

Corps Electriques

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When you first think about it, the combination of Hector Zazou and Katie Jane Garside is almost unfathomable. For all of his experimentation, I have found that the Zazou recordings I have heard tend to have in common a studied calm; while Katie Jane can go from a whisper to a scream and points in between within the space of a phrase or two.

Yet, their collaboration (with Bill Rieflin, Lone Kent, and Nils Petter Molvaer) works beautifully; Corps électriques is a stunning piece of work, by turns beautiful, haunting, sweet, disturbing, and always intriguing.

Those familiar with Katie Jane's most recent music will find this to be a perfect companion to Ruby Throat's The Ventriloquist. While the Ruby Throat album is primarily acoustic, Corps électriques utilizes more electronic instrumentation. Yet, the electronics complement Katie Jane's vocals quite well; at no point does she seem to be out of place in this different setting.

There isn't much more I could say about this album that would do it justice. Suffice it to say that I find it to be utterly compelling, and recommend it highly.

One the best albums by Zazou. Its very sad he passed at such early age. Katie Jean's voice is in prime shape
And blends great with Zazou's music. Having trumpeter and electronics wiz, Nils Petter Molvær doesn't hurt either. What else would you want Zazou and Molvær in one album working as a band!!! There are few links on youtube of this ensamble performing live and it's breathtaking. We miss you Zazou

Not much I can add to the earlier review (the one by the guy who liked the album,not the one who said he was too old to appreciate it). If you are a fan of Ruby Throat, Queenadreena, Daisy Chainsaw or Hector Zazou's many wonderful projects (Sahara Blue & Songs From The Cold Sea, for example),you should really give this a listen. If like myself, you admire both artists, then this is essential listening.
Wonderful!

Maybe I'm getting too old. Hector had a knack for working with vocalists well out of the mainstream. I found the vocals here to be akin to nails on a blackboard and simply couldn't listen to it all in one sitting. The backing instrumentals are much more interesting, though, with trumpet stylings quite akin to Jon Hassell. This was not a breakthrough record and I would have preferred it without the vocals. For those of you who are fans of high pitched chants and wails, you might like it more than I.