Sloche - J'un Oeil (1975)

Artista: Sloche

Álbum: J'un Oeil
Año: 1975
Género: Jazz rock / Progresivo ecléctico
Duración: 37:34
Nacionalidad: Canadá

Lista de Temas:
1. C'pas la fin du Monde
2. Le Karême D'Eros
3. J'un Oeil
4. Algébrique
5. Potage Aux Herbes Douteuses

Alineación:
- Réjean Yacola / piano, vocals
- Martin Murray / organ, synthesizer, saxophone, vocals
- Caroll Bérard / guitar, vocals
- Pierre Hébert / bass, vocals
- Gilles Chiasson / drums, vocals

Alberto sigue dando clase con la escuelita de rock y trae otro disco de una banda que estoy escuchando ahora mismo y está tremenda. Unos quebequenses que armaron un discazo de lujo, ya que "J'un Oeil" es un muy buen jazz fusión mezclado con rock sinfónico, se notan influencias de ELP, Gentle Giant y Yes fusionados con el funk de Weather Report en este álbum que paso a paso construye un sonido excelente. Crearon una música maravillosa comparable con bandas como Mahavishnu Orchestra o Return To Forever, realmente una joya del jazz fusión que sinceramente creo que no está valorada lo suficiente, pero como siempre en este blog hacemos justicia musical y los. pero no me adelanto porque el comentario oficial es de Alberto que trae el disco:

¿Cómo lo queres? Separado, mezclado, todo junto, separado por fragmentos, quizás habría que hacerse esta pregunta para comenzar a reseñar este disco, varios de estos proyectos en plena década setentosa navegaban hasta en aguas profundas, otros naufragaban, otros quedaban en el mero intento, y otros eran para el olvido, el caso de esta banda canadiense es muy particular, sólo grabaron dos discos (lo bueno si es breve, es dos veces bueno) y en ellos volcaron todo lo que en ese tiempo se podia lograr con el progresivo, en solo dos discos desplegaron tanta buena intención que el que escucha progresivo o aquel que este abierto a todas las formas y géneros musicales, va a encontar acá absolutamente todo, climas intrincados, solos, mucho sintetizador, arreglos super originales, escalas y fraseos, memorables arreglos de voces... impresionantes, un sonido superador para la época, con algo de Yes, de ELP, de Gentle Giant, de Focus, en síntesis si querés escuchar progresivo de alto octanaje, cepa pura, acá esta SLOCHE.
Este es un trabajo que te sorprende desde el primer sonido, son esos discos que no podés dejar de escuchar porque cada día le vas encontrando algo nuevo, es sencillamente un proyecto arrollador, el canto en francés le da también un toque especial, quizas la intención de estos pelilargos canadiences solo haya sido de mostrarse como otra banda más de la época, pero soy de la opinión que cuando una obra de arte es buena, trasciende en el tiempo, y esta obra es muy pero muy buena. Basta escuchar los fraseos del final del primer track, entrelazados, sincopados con una bata con un swing demoledor, para comenzar a entender de que va esta obra.
No creo que sea una banda muy conocida y descubrir estos sonidos en el 2015 es casi un hallazgo antropológico, así que abran sus oídos a un disco progresivo de AQUELLOS.
Por eso el cuestionamiento del principio... ¿como lo queres?, el blog te da servicio a la carte. Hoy plato del día SLOCHE. El segundo de Sloche próximamente en este mismo blog.

Alberto

Y no voy a escribir mucho, simplemente llévense este disco que los va acompañar por mucho tiempo cuando lo escuchen, lo que sí les dejo son comentarios en inglés por si te quedan dudas... Lean lo que comentan los felices oyentes de esta obra de arte musical:

The first time I heard the music of SLOCHE, I knew I had to pick it up and boy-oh-boy am I glad I did. SLOCHE play a lighter fusion-based progressive style rock with deep instrumental prowess and a unique and complex disposition. This album also covers a lot of ground from jazz, piano solos to symphonia to fusion. SLOCHE were a very talented Quebecois band who played a very exploratory yet tight form of progressive rock. Songs are very fluid and develop as the album progresses along. Vocals are sung in French and work very well with the music. Overall an exceptional album full of great musical moments and lustre.

James Unger

Excellent, top-tier music from the jazzier side of the progressive rock spectrum. This album should appeal greatly to fans of Gentle Giant, Quiet Sun, 70s instrumental Zappa, and even Magma. Sloche skilfully isolate and blend the most pleasing aspects of the aforementioned influences, adding plenty of fresh ideas to create something unique without ever sounding derivative. The results are surprisingly melodic and flow wonderfully. There is even a catchy funkiness that emerges here and there, a rare thing in progressive rock for sure! Perhaps the nicest surprise is the occasional inclusion of choral vocalese in the Magma style, yet this is used sparingly enough that it needn’t scare off zeuhl-phobes. It’s this last element that makes it very difficult to believe that Sloche came from North America, suggesting that Quebec proggers were the best-connected to the European sensibilities of progressive rock. Jun oeil stands as one of my most treasured albums of Canadian music, and I passionately recommend it.

groonrikk

Just good as their second album "Stadaconé". This band really had a good formula and they knew how to have some fun. One of the best records all the time. There is funny funky moments in this album too and listening this is pure joy. Even those who hate french, can listen to this band because there isn't very much vocals here. The lack of the vocals is not definitely a minus because the instumentation is so skillful. Every song evolves so geniously. Five stars really.

Tsamowahr

For probably at least a year of my life I became almost entirely withdrawn into the wonderful world of progressive rock. The more I learned about this goldmine of eclectic and dynamic music, the deeper its veins seemed to run. I furiously swung my pickaxe left and right, ravenously searching for the next new forgotten nugget. I was so deep within that I nearly lost sight of the surface when I came across Sloche, one of the brightest and most illustrious discoveries I made during this exciting excursion.
Sloche were a group based out of Quebec in the early 70s, an incredibly fertile time and place for diverse, idiosyncratic music. Sloche boasts a 2 keyboard fronted lineup, backed by guitar, drum, and bass. All of whom are musicians at the top of their class, which is particularly evident during the few jazzy passages and a hypnotizing piano intro in the beginning of 'Le karême d'Eros'. The compositions are in the same class. Each one is a veritable masterclass in strong eclecticism, one of my favorite qualities in music. The influences clearly range from the Western classical idiom all the way to the diverse sounds of modern rock music happening in that day.
Eclecticism and musicianship isn't everything, though. What really sets this band apart is the overall mood of their music. It's uplifting, laid-back, whimsical, and optimistic. This hardly sounds like something new or profound when it's written here, but there's a surreal and imaginative edge to the sounds here that really set Sloche apart from anything else I've heard to date. Not to mention the polished production that suits the band's style beautifully. It comes close stylistically to some of the 'Canterbury style' music from across the pond but Sloche has an identity all of its own.
I recommend Sloche enormously to fans of eclectic music, and their two albums are absolutely essential for all you other miners of the progressive rock gems out there.

MrWellington

Fun but deep record. Very eclectic and effective mix of styles; prog, fusion, funk, ambient, and even piano classical are to be found here. All facets are performed wonderfully, and the vocals, though utilized sparingly, are done very well when present. The closest parallel is more energetic Canterbury Scene stuff like Caravan, especially in the synthesizers used. Nevertheless, Sloche transcends their influences, making something which I'd say is better than the somewhat tepid and self-indulgent scene by which they were partly inspired. J'un Oeil is playful, engaging, and downright enjoyable, with great replay value; horrendously underrated piece of music.

Neurotarkus

This stunning group from mid-Northern Quebec (the Chicoutimi region if I am not mistaken and therefore more likely to hang around Quebec than Montreal) is yet another one of relatively unknown groups that help Quebec's progressive rock revolution in the 70's. Mainly an instrumental jazz-rock group, but when actually using their vocal powers (both in scatting and in actual singing) , they actually reached peaks of beauty that makes you regret this quintet did not sing more. To describe Sloche's sound accurately, you would have to imagine a cross of Maneige's middle period with Opus-5's Contre-Courant album, but if you are not familiar with Quebec's scene, this will be tougher to describe, but this fusion of jazz rock, and classical influence is relatively unique and grabs you by your soft side no matter how thick your shell might be. These guys were incredibly tight-playing and were obviously well collaborating with each other as the songwriting is fairly well-shared (a track each except for drummer Chiasson giving space to bassist Hebert a second track) and the sound is still quite up to date some 30 years later.
From the first spacey ringings of the 9-min Pas Fin Du Monde to the last drop of Potage Aux Herbes Douteuses ("Shady" Herbal Soup ;-), every single second is pure heaven with opening track setting an incredible standard with its great scat-vocals (reminding a bit Wishbone Ash during the Argus album) and its middle section almost stopping as if the End Of The World had reached us without a proper warning, but it is a false alert and the tracks picks up in a funkier manner. Closing up the first side is the 11-min Kareme D'Eros and its lengthy piano intro (there are two KB players in the group), where the group shows us that they can be quite impressive in singing (not just scatting) with its text and harmonies being incredibly close to Ripaille's sole album, some Martin Circus or a much better Ange. If you can imagine a cross-over of jazz-rock with Yes, you might just be able to have an idea of how the track is closing.
The second side starts on the superb (but much shorter) title track, which is also sung, while the much funkier Algebrique (Gentle Giant meeting Mahavishnu Orchestra-sounding and penned by guitarist Bérard) is almost reaching discordance, but this track is almost too technical for its own good. Closing track Potage Aux Herbes Douteuses renews with the scatting harmonies as if to bring you back in full circle to the lead-off track. Another strong pleaser, one wishes this second side of the vinyl to be slightly longer to have developed some ideas a bit further.
While Sloche only recorded two albums, these guys excelled in their craft and were a typical example of what La Belle Province had to offer in the second part of the 70's. As equally superb (but vastly different at will also) as Maneige, Conventum or Opus-5, Sloche is one of those groups that must be investigate by every proghead, dead ort alive. Astounding and outstanding ;-)

Sean Trane

Together with Maneige and Et Cetera, Sloche is part of the Quebecois Holy Trinity of 70s Prog. Their debut album is an outstanding musical work that fairly deserves all the good rap that it usually gets in the Internet. Definitely, Sloche is one of those many unsung prog heroes that most prog collectors only got to know through CD technology and WWW merchandising. Their music tends to be a bit more bombastic that their aforementioned fellows, while keeping a similar fusion-oriented vein as Maneige; meanwhile, the dual keyboard layers provide a symphonic feel every now and then. The fusion facet is clearly influenced by Return to Forever and Weather Report, albeit less pompous than the former and a more uplifting than the latter. I observe some Kerry Minnear and George Duke influences on both keyboardists, but generally speaking, it must be stated that Sloche never gets derivative. The optimistic spirit that is generally spread all throughout "J'un Oeil" allows the complex compositions receive a certain air of catchiness, and also gives a frontal freshness to the musicians' intricate interplaying - structural sophistication and warmth, all at once. 'C'pas fin du Monde' kicks off the album as a proper sample of the band's style, displaying an attractive intensity and a healthy variety of moods expanded along the succession of different motifs. Things get more solemn in 'Le Karême d'Eros', which starts with a 3 ½ minute majestic piano solo, until a brief chorale enters along with the whole instrumental ensemble; the sung parts are accompanied by a series of voices of people partying, acting as a funnily disturbing chorus, and so the solemnity is over. But not the seriousness, as the alternate solos on synth and guitar show: things can only get better with a piece like this, specially when the string synth layers go fading out while a spatial Moog effect drags in to announce the entry of the funk-jazz closing section. Brilliant! The title track is the shortest and catchiest one, keeping things uplifting and a bit gentler. and gigantic as well, since it is the most Gentle Giant-like piece in the album. The same gentleness is carried out by the last two numbers, albeit they're a bit more complex: 'Algébrique' and 'Potage aux herbes douteuses' contain the biggest dose of funky colours in the album, but always keeping a constant loyalty to the overall fusion-prog essence of the album. In conclusion: a masterpiece.

César Inca

Oh my god this is good! This album was my introduction to prog music. My father had the old disc in the house and was playing it once in a while, and at the time I just thought "wow this is a crazy" but overall the line between crazyness and genious is very thin, isn't it? This album is plain great, very enjoyable, and active (you could quite dance on some songs). It has the complexity and the emotions of the best prog albums ever. Those guys really knew how to play music. Another gem, and what a gem! If you like the most jazzy parts of Canterbury music along with Gentle Giant and Harmonium, you will enjoy this one!

Belz

SLOCHE's debut is another album from Quebec like OPUS 5's that must be heard to be believed. A 5 piece band with 2 keyboardists, although one of them plays sax at times.The vocals are fantastic as well and are in French.
"C'Pas Fin Du Monde" opens with spacey synths for the first 1 1/2 minutes then this intricate sounding melody takes over with keys, bass, light drums and more. A collage of sounds really. Vocals join in a minute later. Nice. This sounds amazing ! A calm 5 1/2 minutes in then some bombastic drums and organ kick in before it settles into a jazzy groove. Nice guitar after 7 1/2 minutes. "Le Kareme D'Eros" is the longest track at almost 11 minutes.We get piano melodies to open for over 3 1/2 minutes before vocals and a heavy and full sound takes over. They're having fun ! Great guitar after 5 minutes as it trades solos with the organ. Incredible section ! It settles with synths and piano before 7 minutes then the vocals come back. It turns spacey followed by a heavier sound after 9 minutes. Check it out ! Great section.
"J'un Oeil" builds to an incredible sound a minute in. Vocals join in too. Beautiful sound.There is a GENTLE GIANT vibe and then it settles before 3 minutes, we're back to the main melody with vocals a minute later. "Algebrique" opens with acoustic guitar as synths join in. Drums come in as the tempo picks up. Vocals 2 minutes in. An outburt of guitar and sound comes and goes 3 1/2 minutes in. Sax in this one too. Love the drum patterns here. Great track. "Potage Aux Herbes Douteuses" opens with a catchy beat, kind of funky actually. Cool sound especially the drumming after 2 1/2 minutes. Vocals a minute later followed by some outstanding floating organ sounds. Guitar and drums after 5 1/2 minutes take over. Vocals are back. It calms right with acoustic guitar to end it.
This will appeal to more then just Jazz fans out there, a hidden gem if there ever was one.

John Davie

Excellent debut album from relatively less known Canadian band. Music is very well balanced, even if based on keyboards mostly. Every musician has space for his instrument, but result sounds as real team product, not just a recording of talented soloists.
Musically the band is the quintessence of jazz fusion from its time: progressive rock element is added everywhere, but at the level you will always feel jazz fusion roots. Quite melodic, with some vocals, music is bright and quite optimistic, without too long compositions. It looks the musicians just took all the best from prog jazz fusion of their time. Musicianship level is excellent, especially as for debut album.
Excellent evidence of jazz fusion golden age ( and dated well happily). Very recommended.

Slava Gliozeris

Another great discovery!
Yep, I'm on a roll my friends. It started with Et Cetera, then Maneige and finally Sloche, which is french for the brown and grey snow in the streets. It's funny they've picked up that name. Since the view of slush in the streets is enough to give you depression, the music of Sloche is many times sunny, warm and depicts a super summer day (well for me).
Quebec's love for Gentle Giant is well knowed and Sloche is aiming quite often in that direction. The days of Three Friends probably strucked them more deeply, because I keep hearing bits and pieces of the record. Good thing if it's done with taste, and this is the case here.
The large palette of keyboards is nothing to draw me away, maybe they're the Quebec band with the most keyboard dominated sound (think Novalis, GG and Harmonium). Fun lyrics too, a bit silly when they talk about the god of love Eros in his bed, thinking about orgy. Original to say the least!
Hard to dislike such well crafted melodies, and complex at that. Just like when I discover gems from another country, do yourself a favor and dig deeper into Quebec's progressive scene. The progger with an open mind and a taste for complexity will happy-dance by it's replay value.
Another winner.

Jonathan Payeur

Wow!!! Sloche's 2 L.P.s really are tremendous examples of mid-70s Prog!! Living in New Hampshire during the '80s, a Sloche LP would occasionally turn up at used record stores in the area. A lot of Canadian ex patriots lived in N.H. Most prog fans I've spoken to have never heard of Sloche. I think they are one of the most criminally forgotten '70s groups. Listening to this group, you'll hear bits of Yes, Gentle Giant, Canterbury, & Jazz Fusion. But, this group has their own sound, too. Although mostly instrumental, there is some singing in French which is well executed. The thing I love about them is their complicated,first rate compositional approach and how easily the pull it all off. Playing complex music is one thing, but a well written tune is hard to come by(especially in the Prog genre). I really like a lot of Canadian groups like Morse Code, FM, Conventum,Et Cetera,etc., but Sloche are my favorite. Their records are easily the equal of other classics of that era by Genesis, Gentle Giant, Hatfield...,Picchio Dal Pozzo, Soft Machine, etc... These guys were GREAT!!! Absolutely essential!!

Peter Antonelli

Yes - I finally got this first item of Sloche yesterday! And so far somehow I thought that I should like their next and jazzier effort Stadaconé better than this one. Conclusion: I was wrong... Surprisingly - the compositions in J'Un Oeil record are more athmospheric, decorous and symphonic, sometimes the sounds have relationships with good ol' Gentle Giant. And harmonic (fortunately-french-sung) vocal parts (it can happen quite seldom) are very suitable with the music. Seems that my real fave is the last tune Potage Aux Herbes Douteuses. Very pleasent athmospheric listening - a bit more than four stars!!!

Rainer Rein

Sloche is realy a band that is a step ahead of many 70's bands of jazz rock fusion, and of many new bands who go to the same lines. By the first time I heard the sound in Progarchives, I knew that was an amazing band with some incredible ideas, and new features that nobody in that time had explored.
This album is a masterpiece, as so the band are. I recomend this sound to everybody who goes to the jazzy progressive, and I say that this is the best band that i heard in the last time, so if you like this sound don't waste more time and pick up this album and the second one too.

Henrique Cabral

En definitiva, un discazo absolutamente recomendado para que disfrutes en este fin de semana largo y lluvioso. Para que te encierres a escuchar y disfrutar este disco!
Y no olviden de agradecer a Alberto.