Wapassou

***NOW AVAILABLE ON VINYL!!! Lest we startle you with excited pronouncements of how good this album is, we'll force ourselves to be matter of fact. With their first album, legendary French art-rock band WAPASSOU found a distinctive musical voice: long and well-developed melodies, rhythmic support from organ—no bass and drums! (more on that later)—prominent violin parts, and guitar doubling-up as a rhythm instrument. They often conjure up something akin to what it might have sounded like had John Cale and Stereolab formed a band in 1974, when this album was released. The five tracks (actually seven, as the singles tracks are equally intriguing) are highly original, always varied and inventive; spacey and ethereal, but steeped in post-psychedelic rock. Although Wapassou are noted for playing without a rhythm section, two of the most striking songs on this album have bass and drums. Includes two bonus tracks from their rare single, recorded in October 1974. A colorful 16-page booklet has the detailed history of the making of the album, plus photos and other marvels. Remastered and sounding better than it ever has. Limited edition of 500 copies. Includes a color insert.