Clearlight was a French space-rock ensemble that released the 1975 Virgin albums Clearlight Symphony and Forever Blowing Bubbles. Group mastermind Cyrille Verdeaux also co-led the soundtrack project Delired Cameleon Family and continued Clearlight with the 1976–78 albums Les Contes du Singe Fou and Visions. Members: Cyrille Verdeaux (piano, keyboards) Background Cyrille Verdeaux was born in […]
Osiris is the second album by French progressive ensemble Zao, released in 1974 on Disjuncta/Urus. The album marks a transitional stage for the band as it begins to diverge from the heavier Zeuhl influences of their debut Z=7L toward a more jazz-fusion oriented approach. The departure of Mauricia Platon left vocal duties to Yochk’o Seffer […]
Les Contes du Singe Fou is the third album by French/English symphonic/space collective Clearlight, released in 1976 on Isadora. Following Forever Blowing Bubbles, keyboardist Cyrille Verdeaux redefined Clearlight as a tighter ensemble centered on piano, violin, and rhythm section rather than the expansive, guest-filled orchestrations of earlier albums. Recorded in late 1976, Les Contes du […]
Forever Blowing Bubbles is the second album by French electro/space-rock operative Clearlight, released in 1975 on Virgin. The album marks a shift from the extended suites of Clearlight Symphony toward shorter, self-contained compositions that retain the ensemble’s cosmic and symphonic language. Recorded at The Manor with an expanded cast of guests from the British and […]
Z=7L is the debut album by French chamber-rock/Zeuhl combo Zao, released in 1973 on Vertigo. Keyboardist François “Faton” Cahen and reedist Yochk’o Seffer formed the band after their early departure from Magma. The album integrates operatic female vocals, intricate instrumental interplay, and shifting rhythmic frameworks, producing an intricate tension between structure and improvisation. Mauricia Platon’s […]
Speed Limit was a Hungarian-French jazz-rock supergroup that released a self-titled album on Le Chant du Monde in 1974, followed by a second eponymous title on RCA Victor in 1975. Members: George Jinda (drums, percussion), Yochk’o Jeff Seffer (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, sopranino saxophone, bass clarinet, flute, vocals), Jean-Louis Bucchi (electric piano, piano, vocals), Gérard […]
Clochard is the third album by French songwriter/vocalist Emmanuel Booz, released in 1976 on Atlantic. Tracklist: A1. “Un jour vous partirez” (6:04) A2. “Clochard” (3:35) A3. “Monsieur le président” (5:19) A4. “La chanson du pendu” (4:41) B1. “Assis sur les trottoirs de ma ville de province” (5:58) B2. “A vous tous” (4:35) B3. “Ma vie […]
Joël Dugrenot is a French bassist who played in the bands Clearlight, Speed Limit, and Zao during the 1970s. Between 1982 and 1984, he released a pair of solo albums on Spalax and Eurorock. Discography: Boomerang (1982) See (1984) Mosaïques (1990, recorded 1976–78)
