Hello folks, as a starter for August I’d like to feature some masterpieces from the 1970s.

Aksak Maboul was a Belgian avant rock/jazz band that released 2 albums, one in 1977 and one in 1980. I had their second album “Un peu de l’âme des bandits” for some time, although it had its ups and downs, I was completely blown away with the abundance of ideas and experimentation. No wonder why because the group was founded by Marc Hollander, who is also the founder of Crammed Discs, that is home to many avantgarde/world musicians like Konono No.1 , Bertrand Burgalat, Kocani Orkestar and Fred Frith, who also appeared on the 1980 album. Very complex and open minded music that has completely written sections as well as totally improvised pieces, “not to mention drum machines, bassoons, sampling before samplers existed, Bulgarian, Pygmy, Polynesian and Delta Blues voices, tango, a Turkish tune, crypto-punk or pseudo-Varese music”

Anyways, then I went back and got the first album from 1977, the sound is a little bit different, it’s a bit darker and has more arabesque influences. The opener I viaggi formano la Gioventu, has hands down one of the most expressive playing I’ve heard, the music takes me back a few centuries to a place like Jerusalem or something, and might I add I can’t get the song from out of my head. The 3rd and 4th song are also from the second album and should be played back to back as the first one passes directly to the second, the second one drags on a bit at the end, but the solo is a gem, don’t miss all of them.

“Moving from traditional dance motifs to modern musical riddles, the result simply defy any attempts at pigeon-holing…. music for your body, your head and your heart” (Time Out, UK, ’81)

“One of the most beautiful records ever produced… Aksak Maboul brought together every musical material which Europe had to offer, which resulted in a perfect, fresh and unusual masterpiece” (Tip, Germany, ’82)

The second band is Rhesus O, which I have very limited info about. This album is from 1971 and it sees Canterbury prog & psychedelic rock, folk and free jazz fused together by this French band. There are some great moments to find about here on this self titled album. It’s not as experimental as Aksak Maboul, indeed highly pastoral, but they have some vintage avantgardeism inherent in both. The band features future Magma members Francois Moze and Jean-Pol Asseline. The highlight for me is Préambule.

Aksak Maboul – Mercredi Matin
Aksak Maboul – I viaggi formano la Gioventu
Aksak Maboul – The Mooche
Aksak Maboul – Vapona not glue
Rhesus O – Cigüe
Rhesus O – Préambule
Rhesus O – Crier Pour Donner