Browse by Artist: OPHIUCUS

Artist:	OPHIUCUS
Title:	Ophiucus
Label:	LION PRODUCTIONS
Format:	CD
Price:	$11.00
Catalog #:	LION 619CD

"Ophiucus may be the name of an obscure constellation, but it's also the name of a French band that recorded an exceptional album in 1972 for the Barclay label. All the members of the band had already enjoyed ample success in music before musician/actor Emmanuel Booz brought them together in 1971: Jean-Pierre Pouret was a well-known session-man for Sylvie Vartan; brothers Alain and Bernard Labacci released albums as Tom & Jerry, and supported Jimi Hendrix for a TV appearance; Michel Bonnecarrere had founded the band Zoo (one of Andy Votel from the B-Music label's favorites), and was one of the composers, arrangers and musicians for that group's first two albums. Apropos of the period, the band members decided to live together as a small family in Flagy, a small town in France, where they lived a happy life and wrote the tracks which adorn this reissue. This ambitious album somehow manages to blend grungy psychedelic rock, acoustic blues and densely orchestrated French pop/psych (in an Ilous & Decuyper vein) into an impressive and cohesive whole. Sandy Spencer, cellist and member of Mormos contributed wonderful playing on 'Ne Cherche Plus' and 'Inachevée.' This reissue includes the original album plus eight bonus tracks in English meant to be the basis of an international album that was never issued. A fulsome 28-page booklet includes band history and commentaries on the songs written by Ophiucus, photos, lyrics (French and English), and a contemporary review."

Artist:	OPHIUCUS
Title:	Ophiucus
Label:	WAH WAH RECORDS (SPAIN)
Format:	LP
Price:	$28.00
Catalog #:	LPS 100LP

"Ophiucus released their debut LP in 1972. It is one of the masterpieces of French psychedelic/progressive/folk music, and members of the band included Jean-Pierre Pouret -who had recorded with Sylvie Vartan, Antoine and Herbert Leonard a.o.; brothers Alain and Bernard Labacci (a.k.a. Tom & Jerry - they even supported Jimi Hendrix on a TV appearance) and Michel Bonnecarrere, who had founded the band Zoo. The sound production is amazing, as it used to be with French albums of that era, basing its strength on acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies, but not refusing to add subtle layers of electric arrangements, even featuring a couple of totally electric Hendrix-influenced songs ('Djarbouka' should become a classic among those dee-jaying at heavy psych parties from now on!). And the band's performance is top level! This amazing album was even planned for an international release and looking for that they even produced a version of it with English lyrics (which can be found on the bonus tracks of the currently available CD release by Lion Productions), but we are sticking to the original release, with the original French-sung versions of the songs, and respecting the beautiful original artwork. It is reissued on vinyl for the first time since its original release, mastered from the original tapes and featuring an insert with liner notes. In a limited edition of only 500 copies."

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