★Mio Records
A Criminal Record
2024 stock. A lost slab of rock/psych improvisation from 1970. A well-known singer in Israel recorded many of Israel's classic popular songs, beginning with the Ofarim Trio and later High Windows (in 1967), Israel's best-know folk-rock band, who released Israel's first pop record. Krause also spent several years in an asylum. His “Cape of the Big Hope” was released in 1969, with musicians who appear on Danny Ben Israel's Bullshit 3 1/4; in 1970, some problems with the law landed Kraus in jail. H…
Furtuna Virilis Plus...
2024 stock. "Decibel is a fundamental point of reference for the preservation and refurbishment of the rock in opposition genre in Latin American lands. Originally released 20 years after the excellent, challenging debut effort "El Poeta del Ruido" (and soon afterwards rereleased with bonus tracks), "Fortuna Virilis" happens to be the ultimate statement of decibel's musical vision. This album, unlike its distant predecessor, does not give preferential room to sound processing and tape effects, b…
Pôle
2024 stock. Absolutely riveting reissue of this classic French underground album from 1976, appearing for the first time on CD. "Pole is the first and only co-operation, where both were working as musicians, between Jean Louis Rizet and Philippe Besombes. This double album, recorded in 1976, shows a more serious side of the artists, with a leaning toward contemporary classical music that shows their interest in electronic and electro-acoustic ideas; reminiscent of Faust at times, but also close …
Cesi est Cela
2024 stock. Third volume in MIO's Besombes reissue program (and first time on CD), features recordings made in France between 1972 and 1979. "This 1976 release includes early ballet music that was originally recorded between 1974-1975 for several contemporary ballet groups in Paris. The recording was assisted by Jean Louis Rizet, with whom Besombes was then working in his recording studio. Bonus tracks include two early pieces from 1972 (recorded during his time engineering for Stockhausen, Nono…
Ultimatum
A lost jewel in the crown of the French underground. Mosaic made this, their only album, in 1978. You'll hear similarities to Zeuhl bands, Hatfield and the North, King Crimson, National Health. The music is mostly instrumental fusion/progressive performed on acoustic and electric guitars, synths, cello, double bass, electric bass, keyboards, drums and percussion. This reissue includes their 1977 demo tape Cuvée 77 and two additional bonus tracks.
Libra
Philippe Besombes is an underground but now cult french artist from the 70’s avant garde-prog scene. After a student doctoral degree to become a chemist he turned to music and was partly formed by Stockhusen and Xenakis. He rapidly showed an interest to electronic synth dispositifs (AKS, MiniMoog, Polyphonic ensemble Korg...). In 1976 Philippe Besombes had opened his own recording studio with Jean-Louis Rizet. He produced three major albums under his name. He recorded his most notorious effort i…