The second amazing album from Placebo – a wicked mix of funky fusion styles, and a real standout on the European scene of the early 70s! The group's the brainchild of Marc Moulin – who wrote all tracks, and plays a wealth of great keyboards, in ways that almost make him the European equivalent of Herbie Hancock – especially in the way he can spaciously explore a groove! But there's other great elements to the music too – some tight funky rhythms, great horn parts, and some wicked guitar from fusion legend Philip Catherine – whose snakey lines bring a quality to the record that was in place on Placebo's first outing. Titles include "NW", "Plotseling", "Hop Hop", "Tanga", "Stomp", and "Dag Madam Merci". (Jazz, Rock) CD

A wicked collection of French prog and fusion from the start of the 70s – all with a jazzy or folky vibe that shows just how wonderfully warm the French scene was at the time – and how it could be very different than similar music coming from Germany, England, or Italy during the same stretch! All tracks here were recorded live, and although the groups are varied, the sound is surprisingly unified – with loads of funky fusion moments that are kind of an offbeat, outside take on styles that American groups were just beginning to explore – with some especially strong keyboard moments that point the way towards directions that Herbie Hancock would take a few years later. There's a few other tunes that bring in acoustic elements, almost with an acid folk sound – and titles include "Charles" by Catharsis, "Arkham" by Spectre, "Mekanik Kommando" by Magma, "Informers Blues" by Zabu, "Jappy's Boogie" by Solitude, "All's So Comic" by Ergo Sum, "I'm On My Way" by Voyage, "Promenade"b y Claude Engel, "Aria Populaire" by Catherine Ribeiro & Alpes, and "Iguane" by Alain Markusfeld. CD