Detailed Reviews [David Rose Group - 1978/2003 - "A l'Quest de la Grosne"]

David Rose Group (France) - 1978/2003 - "A l'Quest de la Grosne"
(71 min, Musea)

Prolusion. David Rose is an American-born violinist, while his musical career is inseparable from France's progressive music. The David Rose Group was active from 1977 to 1983 and issued seven LPs during those years. Although "A l'Quest de la Grosne" was released in 1980 (under the title of "Live"), it was recorded in 1978 and is actually the second album by the outfit.

Synopsis. So, David Rose Group, the main mastermind behind which is, however, Serge Perathoner, and not David. Of course, the violin arrangements are one of the central constituents of the group's music, and nevertheless, almost all of the tracks on the album have been composed by Serge. Furthermore, it's clear that none other than Serge provided all the keyboard arrangements here, and these are hardly less significant than those of violin. Practically the same words can be said about Gerard Prevost, whose bass playing is fantastically diverse and inventive, as well as both of the remaining band members. Percussionist (and the brilliant xylophone player) Gerard Kurdjian and drummer Claude Salmieri are also very important figures in the band. Generally, this obscure ensemble appears before the listener as a very solid collective consisting of outstandingly masterful musicians. In the CD press kit the group's music is described as Jazz Rock "somewhere" between Brand X and Debussy. Indeed, a blend of Jazz Rock and Classical Music lies in the basis of the band's style. However comparisons, and especially those with Brand X, aren't applicable in this case at all. I am very well acquainted with the music of Brand X and the other best representatives of Classic Jazz Rock and Jazz-Fusion, such as The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return To Forever, et al. So I can assert that the music of David Rose Group in general, and any aspect, any constituent of it in particular, is exceptionally original. Besides, since there is not even a faint resemblance to the presence of repetitions, this music is more complex than that of any of the aforementioned Jazz Rock heroes. But while the arrangements are in a state of constant development everywhere on the album, the music always remains cohesive, is immediately attractive, and possesses everything necessary to keep the listener's attention. As for stylistic specifications, Skyway (6) is the only track here, which doesn't evoke associations with Classical Music, but then, it is rich in Eastern themes. The music ranges from an intensive, violin- and synthesizer-driven Art-Rock to an atmospheric Jazz-Fusion with solos of bass, xylophone, and electric piano at the helm and vice versa. Quite the contrary, Little Prince (2) was performed without drums and is the work of a pure Classical Academic Music. Late Afternoon, Worlds Apart, Au Deal du Miroir, and The Beast (1, 3, 4, & 5) represent a highly unique Symphonic Jazz-Fusion with a pronounced classical feel to it, and the 23-minute monster (in the most positive sense of the word) The Distance Between Dreams (7) needs to be depicted separately. The composition begins with the mid-tempo, but rather dense Symphonic Art-Rock-related arrangements following the tangibly heavy solos of bass. Which leads the listener to the Classical Music realms with ever-changing interplay between violin and piano, violin and bass, piano and xylophone, etc. On the remaining one third of the composition, the group presents the powerful, highly intensive, and very eclectic joint arrangements, the essence of which I would define as Jazz-Fusion performed by dints of both of Symphonic Progressive and Classical Music.

Conclusion. "A l'Quest de la Grosne" is by all means a brilliant album, and David Rose Group is definitely one of the >best Jazz-Fusion-related bands ever existed. Highly recommended, and especially to those who realize that the music, which is both highly complex and outstanding, will never become boring, to say the least.

VM: February 24, 2004