‘Spirit of France’ celebrates the 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 - with flutes, cromorne, darbouka and hurdy-gurdy, or with fascinating-sounding unusual instruments and with heavy influences from Indian, African, Arabic, Eastern and Malagasy cultures, that’s what makes this selection so unique.
Freedom and fraternity constitute the fuel - like Don Cherry’s influence on Colin Walcott and Kahil El’Zabar (in the field of jazz), to folk background artists such as Robbie Basho and Sandy Bull. In Europe, the same approach was being manifested in Italy with bassist Marcello Melis, the Sardinian singers from the Gruppo Rubanu, Aktuala and Futuro Antico. In France, Cossi Anatz, Nu Creative Methods and Sonorhc were echoes of the same approach.
‘Spirit of France’ is dedicated in unearthing more than just curiosities – instead focusing on never been reissued, obscure, artist-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 underground.
The album’s aim is evident right 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, Sylvain Kassap, Noco Music, Pân-Râ, L’Empire des Sons, Ghédalia Tazartès and many more.
‘Spirit of France’ is a story of French imaginary folklore, combining spiritual jazz influences and deep folk, at the crossroads of the tribal, the secular and the universal.
Curated by Mark Gallagher, Thea Ioannou and Tom Val
Design and Art Direction by Nep Sidhu
Mastered and Cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery, London
Liner Notes by Philippe Robert
SPM008
