Alpha Ralpha -

Alpha Ralpha was a French symphonic/space-rock band that released a self-titled album in 1977 on Warner Bros.

Members: Claude Alvarez-Pereyre (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, violin, electric violin, organ, marimba, vibraphone), Michel Mareska (electric guitar), Charlie Charriras (bass), Jean-Alain Gardet (piano, electric piano, organ, synthesizer), Emmanuel Lacordaire (drums, percussion, marimba, vibraphone)

Background

Alpha Ralpha formed in 1975 in Paris. Multi-instrumentalist Claude Alvarez-Pereyre wrote for Rock & Folk magazine. Guitarist Michel Mareska gigged with the Kamasutra Blues Band. Keyboardist Jean-Alain Gardet cut two albums with prog-rockers Taï Phong. Drummer Emmanuel Lacordaire spent time in jazz-rockers Nemo. Bassist Charlie Charriras completed the lineup.

Their name derived from “Alpha Ralpha Boulevard,” a short story by American sci-fi author Cordwainer Smith published in the June 1961 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.

Alpha Ralpha

Alpha Ralpha released their debut album, Alpha Ralpha, in early 1977 on Warner Bros. (France, Canada).

The album contains nine originals by Michel Mareska, who wrote five tracks (“Synergie,” “Nova,” “Syrtis Major,” “Gothic,” “Hymn”) and co-wrote three (“Rez,” “Magellan,” “Lagune Ouest”) with Claude Alvarez-Pereyre, who composed “Genese.”

Alpha Ralpha shifts between atmospheric synth passages and driving guitar-led sections. “Synergie” pairs Mareska’s zig-zagging guitar with Gardet’s string synthesizers, while “Genese” weaves marimba with Hackett-like guitar lines. “Lagune Ouest” leans into folk textures with Alvarez-Pereyre’s marimba and violin.

Alpha Ralpha features Mareska on electric guitar and Alvarez-Pereyre on acoustic/electric guitar, violin, electric violin, organ, marimba, and vibraphone. Gardet plays acoustic/electric piano, organ, and Elka/Mini-Moog synthesizers. Lacordaire plays drums, percussion, marimba, and vibraphone.

The album features guest appearances by ARP Odyssey synthesist François Bréant (ex-Cruciferius) on “Nova,” “Rez,” and “Magellan,” guitarist Claude Samard on “Nova” and “Genese,” guitarist Jean de Antony (ex-Mainhorse) on “Rez” and “Magellan,” and vocalist Jean-Jacques Goldman (Taï Phong) on “Magellan,” with harmony vocals by Goldman, Taï Sinh, Khanh Maï, and Georges Granier on select tracks.

A1. “Synergie” (4:14) – Fuzzed guitar lines weave sharp turns over syncopated rhythms, layering wistful keyboard textures with forceful drive.
A2. “Nova” (5:55) – Wordless choir opens, followed by brisk synth runs and galloping bass, with gritty guitar solos, country-tinged finger-picking, and dual ARP Odyssey synth bursts.
A3. “Syrtis Major” (2:20) – Elka string synthesizer crafts a gentle, space-like lullaby with soft, contoured lines.
A4. “Genese” (9:27) – Delicate acoustic guitar blends with marimba and looping bass, driven by lively percussion and bluesy, distorted electric guitar.

B1. “Rez” (3:47) – Smooth synths lead into a brisk jazz-fusion jam, with pulsing bass, honky-tonk piano, slithering violin, and strident guitar solos.
B2. “Gothic” (0:31)
B3. “Magellan” (7:30) – Dissonant piano and ARP Odyssey synths pair with intricate bass patterns and sharp guitar solos, shifting between soft and surging passages.
B4. “Lagune Ouest” (3:42) – Marimba and violin drive chamber-like textures with a steady, delicate pace.
B5. “Hymn” (4:15) – Wordless vocals and soaring violin blend in a celestial, uplifting close.

Sessions occurred from May to September 1976 at Studio IP in Paris with Michel’s brother, producer Jean Mareska, a soundman on Taï Phong’s recent second album, Windows. Engineer Georges Granier recorded Alpha Ralpha alongside 1976 albums by Le Orme and Patrick Vian.

Alpha Ralpha features backside group photos by Dominique Cazenave and galactic cover imagery by Charles Eric, also credited on 1975/76 sleeves for Atoll (L’araignée-mal) and Emmanuel Booz (Clochard).

Warner Bros. lifted “Nova – Pt. I” as the first single (b/w “Nova – Pt. II”).

Claude Alvarez-Pereyre also played on 1977 albums by René Werneer and Jacques-Emile Deschamps. In 1979, he backed Alain Bashung on the singer’s second album, Roulette Russe.

Discography: