Leon Francioli, Beb Guerin, Bernard Lubat, Michel Portal
Chateauvallon 76
L’Escargot (France) 1979
ESC 382 (LP)
sleeve : VG+(WC, SOC, wear on corner, wrinkle, some light dirt. SOC/WC on label.)
media : VG+/VG+(some light noise caused by light hairlines.)
Album released in 1979, documenting a recording from the Chateauvallon Jazz Festival in August 1976, where some of France’s most brilliant improvisers came together: Leon Francioli (bass, trombone), Beb Guerin (bass), Bernard Lubat (percussion), and Michel Portal (tenor sax, alto sax, clarinet). A fierce and uncompromising set, mixing instrumental firepower with bursts of vocal improvisation.
Highlights include B1, driven by a hidden groove that emerges from the avant-garde chaos; B3, with heavily processed bass and sax darting frenetically across an industrial soundscape; and B4, where Portal’s bandoneon and playful scat bring an unexpected, humorous lift. From start to finish, it’s an explosive, gripping listen — very highly recommended.
A1: Souffriere
B1: A La Niche
B3: Angels
B4: Los Inclassables