WOEBOT

Tazartes.

If I seem a bit quiet it's because between knocking on doors for work I'm masterminding a Prog-Rock 10 special. I hate these specials of mine, they're becoming a bit too didactic. In fact I'd felt I'd put the whole thing to bed, I mean I could carry on like that FOREVER, but as a rule something which is a strain to write is a strain to read.

Actually I have precious few Prog-Rock records, something like 4 prog-rock proper. There's alot of records and bands that aren't quite Prog-Rock. You see King Crimson, that's Prog, whereas Fripp and Eno, well it's not REALLY Prog Rock is it? Lots of things aren't quite Prog-Rock: Zappa (Freak-Rock), The Incredible String Band (Folk Rock), Kak (West Coast Space Rock), Amon Duul I (too folky, though Amon Duul II, that's Prog-Rock), White Noise (too early), The United States of America (too early, too beat), Led Zepellin (too heavy), Tim Souster and Trevor Wishart (too electronic). One very interesting thing which I came across combing through the racks at home, and which falls into the "Not-Prog" category is this Tazartes' "Transports", being held in the photo above, by...........a woman!

This record was sold to me by a friend. I know very little about it. Google Tazartes and all you'll get is this guy who has it on his wants list. That's quite some wants list though! It has been reissued by Italy's New Tone label recently on CD though the vinyl is beyond rare, only 100 pressed. It's from Paris circa 1973, some crackpot (possibly North African) electronics wizzard. It's all ancient drum-machines and rolling pre-acid synth patterns laden with muezzin flavours, bells, insane cracked chanting. Very dark. Very cold. My friend knows his daughter and apparently (kisses pursed fingers) she's a peach.

I've always thought Chris Morris would find this fascinating, maybe Nick will take it along on one of his sessions.

Posted by Woebot at October 15, 2003 11:02 AM