Cro Magnon

CRO MAGNON define their style as "urban chamber" with folk influences. With faint echoes of early ART ZOYD, MIRIODOR, UNIVERS ZERO and JULVERNE (a weird, early 80's Belgian band that blended rag time, old jazz tunes and lounge music of the 19th century), their sound draws on classical music and also a bit on jazz, folk, and rock. They are essentially drum less but still rhythmically very powerful. The quintet have two albums to their credit, released in 1992 and 1997 respectively.

"Zapp!", with its revolutionary rhythms, Central/Eastern European flavour, classical bits and unusual harmonies, will certainly take you very, very far into unexplored territories. Call it acoustic, eclectic, atomic or electric, it is at times funny and intense, at other times surprisingly relaxing. "Bull?", their second album, is more dynamic and even more unique. With one foot in the classical world and the other in urban arrhythmia, its compositions are well worked out and played very spontaneously; it also features cello, snare drums, trumpet, French horn and clarinet. As one smart alec put it, it's advisable to listen to these albums 1/3 at a time (for fear of sonic disorientation, no doubt).

If you're already a fan of ART ZOYD, UNIVERS ZERO or The PENGUIN CAF? ORCHESTRA, this band will certainly put a smile on your face.

: : : Lise (HIBOU), CANADA : : :