On The Way (92, aka En Chemin), Second Ere (95)

French instrumental fusion band with a strong link to the Magma sound, but occasionally reminding of Shylock, Crimson, and other bands on the euro- fusion-funk axis. They are a three piece (4 Piece on the first album) of guitars, bass and drums, with some guesting by Magma's recent horn section. The first album has five long tracks that tend to ramble in self indulgence a little (hey, what's wrong with that?), while the second has a much more assertive sound, with very strong rhythms, ripping guitar, mid-length tracks, and a more directed melodic approach. Outstanding.

Sort of mild progressive fusion in the style of Crimson's Red or Lark's Tongues. On the Way is all instrumental and I usually wished they would open up a little more and lose control. Their sound has a kind of sameness that wears thin after 60 minutes.

Xaal are a French band who play a brand of progressive rock verging on fusion, that compares well with contemporaries Minimum Vital, Edhels, and the like. The music on On the Way is all-instrumental, and, perhaps a bit more guitar-dominant than the two bands named. The core line-up does not include a keyboardist, but a guest player is listed, along with a couple of others who make occasional trumpet and sax contributions. The performance is pretty good and energetic, and, if you enjoy the "French instrumental progressive' sound, this should be a worthwhile disc.

Excellent French fusion trio consisting of drums, bass, and guitar/guitar synth. On the Way in a conceptual instrumental album that brings to mind French fusion bands such as Zao and Weidorje, and perhaps a bit of Brand X. Songs range from four to eleven minutes in length and serve as showcases for some tight interplay between these guys. I've had the CD only a short time but I have grown to like it a great deal. Excellent and recommended progressive fusion from the current progressive scene.

On the Way forges ahead into the French "zeuhl" music. Based largely on pioneers such as Magma and Univers Zero, Xaal's music has the rhythmic proficiency of both the aforementioned bands, and even some horn guest spots from former Magma-ites. But rather than re-live old glories, Xaal takes the sound into new directions. Their melodies are based around a heavy, riffing guitar and occasional keyboard backdrops. Occasionally they remind me of Voivod! Led by busy drumming and an active bass, the music contains the weirdness, inconsistencies, and drive that early Magma had, without the repetition that turns many people off that band. The creative level here is something right out of the seventies and hopefully this will inspire other nineties prog bands to become more self-indulgent. This was, IMHO, one of the strongest new releases in 1992. Highly recommended.

For the first ten listenings I couldn't decide how much I liked On the Way, but after another ten, it promised to become one of my favourites. This album has more of a spark of creative originality than Änglagård, although it's less immediately impressive. It's all instrumental (except for one mad groan), and fairly sparse-sounding because there are few keyboards. It has more variation than Änglagård, and has that certain quality which I can't really describe, which makes an album suitable for continual repeated listening without getting boring.

Electrip (69, as Xhol Caravan), Hau Ruck (70), Motherfuckers GmbH and Co. KG (72)

One of the coolest and most little known of the krautrock bands, Xhol were a rock fusion quartet who could be quite lewd for a progressive rock band with their version of "Rock Me, Baby" fused into the middle of one of their side long jams on their self titled Xhol (also known as "Hau-Ruk") But their best was definitely the aptly titled Motherfuckers GMBH and Co. KG a classic in the field of progressive. Beginning with a Faustian radio static sequence, we are thrust into the world of rockin' jazz fusion with a wah-wahd sax lead. Great stuff and musts (if you can find them) for the krautrock fan. Previously Xhol Caravan, who released one very rare album.

Before Xhol Caravan, they were Soul Caravan, released Gettin' High in 1967.

The Phantom Zone (??), The Space Age (??), The Sound Museum (92)

Related to the Nightcrawlers through Peter Gulch, a Nightcrawler member. Xisle, however, is derived from Chuck van Zyl's name. I have heard two cuts from two different albums, "Invader" from The Phantom Zone and the title track from The Space Age. "Invader" is similar in style to the Nightcrawlers (no surprise there) and late '70s Tangerine Dream. It starts out in a very ambient mode but soon the sequencers kick in ala Tangerine Dream. "The Space Invaders" starts out with some radio chatter between rocket and ground control then moves into the electronic spacescape. While the obvious comparison is to T-Dream, the rhythmic pulses also call to mind "Welcome to the Machine" by Pink Floyd, as well as a few other elements of Wish You Were Here. Pretty decent electronics, actually, and a little more original in concept that the Nightcrawler's eponymous release.

[See Kolab | Nightcrawlers]

Down the World (95)

[Pronounced "Zik-zo."]

Journey To An Oracle (71), Return Of The Golden Mean (81), Procession (81), Last Wave (82)

Synthesist. Return Of The Golden Mean features Cyrille Verdeaux of Clearlight, Procession and Last Wave have violinist Daniel Kobialka.