The information about the bands below is based on the entries in the invaluable “LA DISCOGRAPHIE DU ROCK FRANÇAIS” By Francis Grosse & Bernard Gueffier.
JOEL DAYDÉ
Daydé was ZOO’s singer. On his debut solo album there are both hard-rocking songs and nostalgic ballads. Here his rough voice, reminiscent of Roger CHAPMAN’s, was highlighted by the contributions of some outstanding musicians (Claude ENGEL on guitar, Paco CHARLERY on percussions, both ex-MAGMA, Joel DUGRENOT on bass, Geza FENZL on drums).
1971 J’aime (Riviera)
DELIRED CAMELEON FAMILY
Originally formed to produce the soundtrack for the film “Visa de censure n°X”, DELIRED CAMELEON FAMILY includes some members of CLEARLIGHT (Cyrille VERDEAUX) along with other equally distinguished musicians such as Ariel KALMA, Valérie LAGRANGE, Gilbert ARTMAN, and Yvan COAQUETTE. This album features music that is similar to that of the first CLEARLIGHT record, a delicate spacious rock with superb flourishes on the guitar from the inspired Christian BOULÉ.
1975 Visa de censure n° X (EMI)
EDEN ROSE
This is a purely instrumental album, close to jazzy varieté, from a quartet (organ/guitar/bass/drums) whose music sometimes evokes Brian AUGER and the Trinity. Like Brian AUGER, Henry GARELLA is a gifted organist, with great virtuosity and instrumental mastery. His forceful and spectacular style is tinged with lyricism when the group plays low-key and delicate compositions. Some of this group’s members later formed SANDROSE, with Jean-Pierre ALARCEN.
1969 On the Way to Eden (Karema)
ERGO SUM
A progressive group from Aix-en-Provence fronted by Lionel LEDISSEZ whose quavering voice is similar to that of Pete BROWN or Roger CHAPMAN. After a bluesy debut single, the group played music inspired by FAMILY or EAST of EDEN but stamped with its own personality. Beautiful, carefully worked-out compositions dominated by the singer’s superb voice and Roland MEYNET’s violin, and propelled by an excellent rhythmic section with power and finesse. With its strength, character, and instrumental and melodic richness, “Mexico” asserts itself as one of the best French progressive rock albums of its time.
1972 Mexico (Thélème-Philips)
ETRON FOU LELOUBLAN
A trio who quite happily goes beyond the bounds of music and its conventions to create a jerky and humorous rock, laced with touches of BEEFHEART and combining folly and derision in the manner of Albert MARCOEUR or ZNR.
1977 Batelages (Gratte Ciel)
1978 Les Trois Fou’s Perdégagnent (Au Pays Des…)(Gratte Ciel)
1979 En direct des Etats-Unis d’Amérique(Celulloid)
2015 Live at the Rock in Opposition Festival, 1978 (Replica)
FILLE QUI MOUSSE
A legendary record which was never officially released. Only ten test pressings were made before Futura Records went bankrupt. Aside from its historical interest, this LP features underground “free rock” with all the excesses and extravagances inherent in this kind of music.
1971 Trixie Stapleton 291 – Se Taire Pour Une Femme Trop Belle (Futura)
BRIGITTE FONTAINE
In the early 70’s, along with Catherine RIBEIRO, FONTAINE stirred up the French musical scene and asserted herself with the quality and originality of her songs. Her unique style of singing, profoundly original music and the provocative themes of her songs helped establish her as one of the best and most interesting French singers of her time.
1969 Comme à la Radio (Saravah)
1972 Brigitte Fontaine (Saravah)
1974 L’Incendie (BYG)
1974 Je ne connais cet homme (Saravah)
1975 Le Bonheur (Saravah)
1978 Vous et Nous (Saravah)
GONG
One of the best known and appreciated “French” groups at the international level. Founded by Daevid ALLEN (a founding member of SOFT MACHINE) GONG, right from the beginning made an exuberant, jerky, bizarre music incorporating rock sounds with a surrealistic madness. GONG, like MAGMA, created its own musical, cultural and geographical universe (the planet GONG) and suffered endless changes in its line-up. Thus, Christian TRITSCH, Steve HILLAGE and Tim BLAKE came to stay on this hospitable planet whose only permanent residents were Daevid ALLEN, Gilly SMITH and Didier MALHERBE.
1971 Bananamoon (BYG)
1971 Camembert Electric (BYG)
1971 Obsolete (Shandar)
1973 Flying Teapot (BYG)
1973 Angel’s Egg(Virgin)
1974 You (Virgin)
1995 Pre-Modernist Wireless (Strange Fruit) (John Peel radio sessions 1971-4)
2006 Gong in the 70s (Voiceprint)
JEAN-PHILIPPE GOUDE
WEIDORJE’s former keyboardist has recorded two albums under his own name. The second was a result of his experiences with WEIDORJE and on which he is accompanied by talented musicians (the former members of WEIDORJE, David ROSE, Klaus BLASQUIZ, François OVIDE, Patrick TILLMAN, etc). Goude creates a sumptuous, rich and elaborate music, similar to WEIDORJE’s.
1980 Drones (Polydor)
JEAN GUERIN
Highly surreal and wonderfully futuristic, “Tacet” is Jean Guérin’s soundtrack for Claude Faraldo’s anarchic film “BOF, anatomie d’un livreur”. This avant-garde psychedelic jazz masterpiece is a blend of abstract vocals, unusual electronics, and edgy brass.
1971 Tacet (Futura)
DOMINIQUE GUIOT
Inspired by deep sea exploration, oceanic creatures and underwater kingdoms, French composer and synth experimentalist Dominique Guiot’s L’Univer De La Mer is an album that has achieved wide cult status over the last 40 years among obscure prog and library synth fans.
1978 L’Univers de la Mer (Chicago 2000)
Synths, Sax & Situationists 