RARE, PLAYS M- 1974 ORIG "LIBRA" Besomes - COSMIC JOKERS KRAUTROCK PROG PSYCH

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42

                ORIGINAL 1974 FIRST PRESS       ..|/\|...............................................|/\|..                          
                   
        = Philippe Besombes =
                 
                    ... LIBRA ...             ..|/\|...............................................|/\|..                                       FRENCH - TAPIOCA - TP 10011

Original '74 first press...laminated cover. This release was decidedly one of the better of a string of psychedelic/progressive/underground albums released by fledgling hipster label "Tapioca" in the early '70s. ....Why you ask? The answer is obvious in completion of listening through both "LIBRA" sides, and even though it's totally "way-out" -- in the same it holds the listeners attention while the head-over-heels cosmic rock adventures turn atmospheres and melodies delightfully inside-out...

Comprising the entire original 1974 Libra LP on Tapioca, Besombes' unorthodox work nervously straddles two strikingly different dimensions - avant-garde electronic composition and the contemporary European prog and psych-rock prevalent at the time. Besombes negotiates this dichotomy rather brilliantly, producing a spectacularly unique album that pulls in influences seemingly from everything the artist ever heard in his lifetime ...and it's a total psychedelic affair. The surprising bottom line is the fact the LP in not one or two good cuts and the rest filler - on the contrary, the entire LP holds attention like the best LP Germany's COSMIC JOKERS never released ...  from the jarring metallic drones and disturbingly strangled vocals of "La Plage" to the cosmic Indian exotica of "Raggacountry" to the languid fuzz guitar lounge of "Ballade en Velo." Besombes employs various synthesizers, Moogs, electric sitars, oscillators and a studio full of rock session players to achieve the stunning dynamics of the album. "Boogimmick" is a synth-drenched heavy blues stomp in the style of early (Lemmy infested) Hawkwind, but also seeming simultaneously to function as an absurdist parody of such music. "Hache 6" stands out, a heavily phased funk excursion, reminiscent of the kind of eclectic library music uncovered by Luke Vibert and Barry 7 on their Lo Recordings compilations. Before the album is over, you're treated to an atonal free-jazz meltdown ("La Ville"), a science-fiction fanfare of mind-altering proportions ("Les Cosmonautes") and a lovely psych ballad ("Tis a Song"). Unusual psychedelic instrumentation includes a vast exploration of tripped-out sound effects, astral electronic gadgets and "collages". For instance, "La plage" is weird as hell, a difficult but subliminal listening for "dark" electric guitar chords, "somnambulist", linear organ sounds and fantomatic- hysterical voices, totally "orgasmic" vibration. "Rugby" is sonic, freak n roll composition with hammering drums, interstellar noises and freakish bass lines, "mega cosmic" trip! "Theme Grave" delivers a "sinister", "plaintive" electronic funeral theme for glacial organic chords, spectral voices in the distance. "Ballade en velo" is a musical rupture, delivering a charming folk ensemble for brass instruments and acoustic guitars, a sunny melody is floating in the air. "Ceremonie" reveals an almost religious, incredibly awesome organ melody accompanied by church like chorus coming from an other world, eternal!

Bottom line:::: A wonderful, "hyper-inventive" album with no equivalent elsewhere. At the top of the European all-time SPACE-ROCK classics! ...

La Plage (2:51)
Rugby (1:54)
Theme Grave (1:58)
Ballade en Vélo (2:14)
Les Diapos (2:04)
Cérémonie (3:19)
Jaune (1:51)
PJF 261 (3:19)
Raggacountry (3:12)
Appel de Libra (1:10)
Poursuite (1:18)
La Ville (4:32)
Les Cosmonautes (2:12)
Avécandista (6:00)
               Tis a Song (2:35)                
CONDITION: The cover: rated: near "EX" (excellent) VERY fragile yet well handled to the point it easily serves as a keep[er copy without thinking where's an upgrade!  There are no delete marks, no split seams, no bends, and no writing  ...

The vinyl: Rated: near M- plays completely smooth and clear. Tapioca Records have a reputation for being sub-par in lo-fi and potentials for pressing problems. This copy shares no such traits and preformed / sounded outstanding. no surface interference ... Both TAPIOCA labels are clean
             A cool addition to anyone's music library!






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