More fusion by request from the great Ceccarelli: Structure (1970), Synthesis (1976), Working Progress (1975), Human Egg (1978)

 

Brilliant cover art, as is often the case with French LPs from back in the day.

Information for Monsieur Ceccarelli here, again.  He was involved in tons of albums in general, but these fusion works are particularly impressive, along with the Troc stuff.  Recall I posted other stuff back here long ago.

First up is the 1970 Structure record:

In 1970, the AFA label asked flautist Bernard Wystraëte to register a “pop” album after the worldwide impact of progressive bands like Aphrodite’s Child and Jethro Tull. Wystraete recruited some of his friends who were professional musicians and Structure was born. He wrote a collection of songs influenced by progressive rock, jazz and Brazilian music. The Pop Music album was recorded live in the studio to give a “live show” feel. It was released later that year/ The band even toured across France and several countries at the same time that Bernard and other Structure members started backing famous French singer Marie Laforêt live. After the good reception given to the album, another label asked Bernard to record a 2nd Structure 45, viz. Structure (8), Bernard Wystraëte Avec La Participation De Luc Donat - Dilatation / Escale. It was released in 1971 under a new line-up.

The bizarre Sexonomie:

The absolutely brilliant fusion album 1976 Synthesis, a one-off LP:

Members:  André Cazalet, André Ceccarelli, Annie Wystraete, Chantal Alexandre, Chantal Curtis, Christian Lété, Didier Lockwood, Francis Cournet, François Jeanneau, Frédérique Gegembach, Guy Khalifa, Hamid Belhocine, Ivan Jullien, Jacques Bolognesi, Kako Bessot, Marc Chantereau, Marc Steckar, Marianne Mille, Paul-Jean Borowsky, Paula Moore, Philippe Briche, Raymond Gimenes, Tony Bonfils

City Life really highlights Ceccarelli, electric violinist of course is the formidable Lockwood:

Jeanneau on saxes, flutes.  Unbelievably warm and lovingly energetic music.  I love it when fusion uses vocals too in such a rich environment.  Wonderful funky driving rhythms.  For me this one stands out as such a strong work, with every single track top notch and worth hearing: all killer, no filler.

Succinct description for Working Progress, another of my favourite fusions from France:

One of many 1970's French fusion bands featuring drummer André Ceccarelli.

Scratch my Stone:

Human Egg, from 1978, has no description.  Very similar to Troc in general, but with some late 1970s influences of course (discoish, funkish). 

First track, the only really progressive piece, called Egg:

Incidentally, some of these tracks appeared as bonus on the 1977 French Atlantide CD (with the famous Yes-copied guitar riff opener) presumably because it's the same band?  Yet I don't see Massiera credited on Human Egg.  Anyways, it's not as good as the previous work, or other stuff by him.

One last comment, this particular rip of Synthesis is just crystal clear and wonderful to hear, highly enjoyable, because of the clarity of all the sounds. Because I remember hearing this for the first time decades ago from an old LP rip.

The rip of Working Progress, on the other hand, is my own, from the LP I bought about 15 years ago, still circulating around online I note. So thanks to me for that beauty.