|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LP
|
|
CAM 028LP
|
$32.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 6/13/2025
For the first time on vinyl a collection of tracks by Cortex, Alain Neffe's (Bene Gesserit, Insane Music) experimental spoken-word project originally released on tape in 1984. Cortex was never intended to be a conventional musical project. From the very beginning it was centered around free live performances. These encounters were stripped down and highly visual: Alain Neffe constructed a trapezoidal fluorescent white screen lit by black light. The narrator -- la récitante -- was only illuminated in the face, while the rest of the stage remained in complete darkness. This created a ghostly effect where the audience could see only her glowing face and dark silhouette. She was a beautiful young woman, with a striking presence, and beside her, Alain Neffe played synthesizer and created sonic effects. The aim of Cortex was to deliver a minimalist and emotional experience, one centered on text and the voice of the narrator. Most of the tracks that exist today were recorded informally during rehearsals, using two microphones placed in front of Marshall amps, captured directly to cassette. La récitante could choose a text from a collection of hundreds. Then, the music was improvised in real time around her voice. That process, simple, direct, and instinctive produced a body of work that's rough around the edges, but full of presence. It's not polished, but that's the point. Cortex was focused entirely on the connection between voice and sound.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
TV 007CD
|
Trad Vibe Records present a reissue of Cortex's Troupeau Bleu, originally released in 1975. Troupeau Bleu is the first and most famous album recorded by French jazz-funk legends Cortex, and it has been an obscure favorite of funky collectors for years. In 1974, Mion, Alain Gandolfi, and Jeff Huttner formed this mythical band, who then recorded several LPs, including this one. Recorded in two days in July 1975, it is a real musical UFO, an unclassifiable record, a mixing of a thousand flavors. The result is a stunning electric groove with a feeling that's really fresh, nice, warm, and funky in all the right parts. Sampled by the world's best producers like Rick Ross, Madlib, DJ Day, DJ Cam, and more.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
LP
|
|
TV 009LP
|
2019 repress, blue vinyl. Troupeau Bleu is the first and most famous album recorded by French jazz-funk legends Cortex, and it has been an obscure favorite of funky collectors for years. Reissued last in 2013 by Trad Vibe, it's now back in stock in a final limited pressing, under official license from Alain Mion. In 1974, Mion, Alain Gandolfi, and Jeff Huttner formed this mythical band, who then recorded several LPs, including this one. Recorded in two days in July 1975, it is a real musical UFO, an unclassifiable record, a mixing of a thousand flavors. The result is a stunning electric groove with a feeling that's really fresh, nice, warm, and funky in all the right parts.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
12"
|
|
TV 1208EP
|
Trad Vibe Records is pleased to present the first release of classic jazz-funk band Cortex, remixed by DJs. Extracted from the fourth album I Heard a Sigh, these two under-rated gems seemed obvious material to put into the hands of two jazz-loving DJs. The Reflex augments "Stand & Move" with loops, filters and dub, for one French Touch side and a 100% disco-jazz result, highlighting the famous Fender Rhodes playing by Alain Mion. DJ Moar's version of "High on the Funk" keeps most of the lead voice, chorus, organ and synth parts. He used re-loops and a bigger beat to give it punch and groove.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
LP
|
|
TV 011LP
|
Few artists in Europe have generated as much excitement with the new generation. For his fourth unreleased album, recorded in 1979, Alain Mion, his piano, and his Fender Rhodes send you on a journey with I Heard a Sigh. The grooves are, as usual, unstoppable -- take "A Winning Team" or "High on the Funk," for example. Nine songs with the best instruments of the time in the best hands (Fender Rhodes, Moog, Prophet, Korg, Orange Drum). Trad Vibe, accompanied by Alain Mion, is pleased to present the vinyl with artwork that takes us back to the '70s.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
TV 003CD
|
Pourquoi is the third and the rarest album recorded by the French legends of jazz funk, Cortex. Trad Vibe Records presents a new edition, using the original master tapes. Pourquoi was initially recorded in 1978. It sounds like a new side of Cortex: songs are mainly composed around the voice and keyboards of band leader Alain Mion, who also played bass lines on synthesizer. Also, the band gave up live recording to use the beloved Stevie Wonder/Quincy Jones technique of "re-recording." But, in spite of these changes, their groove remains as spontaneous and powerful. The band collaborated with great backing vocalists and other session musicians, such as the great Italian trumpet player Giulio Didio, who performed the funky horn arrangements. There is plenty to enjoy on every track: the ending chorus of "Sans Toi" (which was written by Alain Mion for his wife, Mireille, and is probably the flagship track of the album) comes with a brilliant Rhodes solo that is one of the most emotion-loaded moments of the recording. Meanwhile, "Le Visionnaire" resounds with disco echoes and "Pourquoi" dips into melancholy. "Pauvre Star" rides high with its clavinet bass and drum rhythms, recalling George Benson. A favorite of funk collectors and French jazz lovers for years.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
LP
|
|
TV 004LP
|
LP version. Final, limited repress of 500 copies. Pourquoi is the third and the rarest album recorded by the French legends of jazz funk, Cortex. Trad Vibe Records presents a new edition, using the original master tapes. Pourquoi was initially recorded in 1978. It sounds like a new side of Cortex: songs are mainly composed around the voice and keyboards of band leader Alain Mion, who also played bass lines on synthesizer. Also, the band gave up live recording to use the beloved Stevie Wonder/Quincy Jones technique of "re-recording." But, in spite of these changes, their groove remains as spontaneous and powerful. The band collaborated with great backing vocalists and other session musicians, such as the great Italian trumpet player Giulio Didio, who performed the funky horn arrangements. There is plenty to enjoy on every track: the ending chorus of "Sans Toi" (which was written by Alain Mion for his wife, Mireille, and is probably the flagship track of the album) comes with a brilliant Rhodes solo that is one of the most emotion-loaded moments of the recording. Meanwhile, "Le Visionnaire" resounds with disco echoes and "Pourquoi" dips into melancholy. "Pauvre Star" rides high with its clavinet bass and drum rhythms, recalling George Benson. A favorite of funk collectors and French jazz lovers for years.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
TV 005CD
|
Vol. 2 is the second and rarest album recorded by the legendary Cortex, the obscure French jazz and funk group that's been a favorite of collectors for years. Originally released in 1977 and reissued last in 2002 by Follow Me Records, it's now back in stock in a final limited repressing of 500 copies, reissued by Trad Vibe Records under official license from band leader Alain Mion. It really is an absolutely killer album, filled with dope jazz-funk tracks. Unlike their first album, it's all instrumental (save for a few chants on "Poxa"), and it leans even more heavily on the groove side, in a funky Blaxploitation kind of way. The group's got a strong fusion-driven groove on this set -- with plenty of tight drumming, hard riffing, and spacey keyboards that give the tunes a nicely soulful finish. The best tracks are actually the mellower ones, which have a nice use of space and sound -- creating strong little patterns of groove that stand out from the rest of the tracks. Lots of work on Fender Rhodes, mini Korg, Hammond, and clavinet -- and titles include "Poxa," "Datura," "Regina," "Mister J," "Efficace Swing," "Oh Lord," and "Devil's Dance."
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
LP
|
|
TV 010LP
|
LP version. Limited pressing of 500 copies. Vol. 2 is the second and rarest album recorded by the legendary Cortex, the obscure French jazz and funk group that's been a favorite of collectors for years. Originally released in 1977 and reissued last in 2002 by Follow Me Records, it's now back in stock in a final limited repressing of 500 copies, reissued by Trad Vibe Records under official license from band leader Alain Mion. It really is an absolutely killer album, filled with dope jazz-funk tracks. Unlike their first album, it's all instrumental (save for a few chants on "Poxa"), and it leans even more heavily on the groove side, in a funky Blaxploitation kind of way. The group's got a strong fusion-driven groove on this set -- with plenty of tight drumming, hard riffing, and spacey keyboards that give the tunes a nicely soulful finish. The best tracks are actually the mellower ones, which have a nice use of space and sound -- creating strong little patterns of groove that stand out from the rest of the tracks. Lots of work on Fender Rhodes, mini Korg, Hammond, and clavinet -- and titles include "Poxa," "Datura," "Regina," "Mister J," "Efficace Swing," "Oh Lord," and "Devil's Dance."
|
|
|
|