Various Artists Spirit Of France

Spiritmuse Records presents Spirit of France: Obscure, rare spiritual jazz, deep folk and psychedelia sounds from the French ‘70s - ‘80s underground . Spirit of France’ is an anthology celebrating the French artists whose total desire not to belong to a particular trend expanded their horizon by pushing the boundaries of creative music. Recording in caves during the full moon, or in the open air in Ibiza to celebrate the sun, or with fascinating, unusual, artist-build instruments,  and with sounds heavily influenced from Indian, African, Arabic, Eastern and Malagasy cultures, this is what makes this compilation so unique!

Freedom of expression, experimental creativity and collaboration constitute the fuel for these hand picked artists. ‘Spirit of France’ – a long project in the making, is dedicated in unearthing more than just curiosities, instead focusing on never been reissued, obscure, artist-self-released music. Carefully curated by Spiritmuse Records’ Mark Gallagher and Thea Ioannou, and joined by young French digger Tom Val, ‘Spirit of France’ is an anthology of obscure spiritual jazz and its’ relationship with deep folk in the ‘70s - ‘80s French multi-cultural melting pot underground scene.

The album’s aim is evident from the outset, with Rémy Couvez’s aptly named ‘Rêve de Voyage’, illustrating the theme’s quest for imaginary folklore, continued with Workshop de Lyon, Jef Gilson – France’s spiritual jazz giant,  Sylvain Kassap, Noco Music, Pân-Râ, L’Empire des Sons, Ghédalia Tazartès, and the mysterious Adjenar Sidar Khan. Some of these artists still remain unacknowledged, yet they’re all extraordinary heroes of the French music avant-garde scene.

‘Spirit of France’ is a journey of imaginary folklore, blending spiritual jazz influences and deep folk, celebrating the unique sounds of the French avant-garde underground, at the crossroads of the tribal, the secular and the universal.

1. Rêve de Voyage - Rémy Couvez
2. Quand Nos Pères Étaient Des Poissons - L’Empire des Sons
3. Les Crocodiles - Catherine Derain
4.  Le Dessous Des Berges - Sylvain Kassap
5. Gaal - Noco Music
6. Bujumbura Lyon - Workshop De Lyon (courtesy of ARFI)
7. Love Always - Jef Gilson
8. Moving Waves - André Fertier & Clivage
9. Arabia - Dynamo
10.  Sokoto - Structures Sonores Lasry-Baschet
11. Loreley - Pân-Râ
12. Mahabaratha Kali - Adjenar Sidhar Khan
13. Il Regalo Della Befana - Part III (extract) * - Ghédalia Tazartès
* Vinyl only bonus track