Maxi Music – Pedersen, Guy – LP – Brand New Vinyl (Arrives in 20days)

Guy Pedersen’s magical Maxi Music, originally released on cult Parisian library
label tele Music in 1972, is psyche-rock and jazz-funk gold. It’s a vital
Pederson outing, oscillating between the rough and the smooth, but always with
those hypnotic grooves. It’s a start-to-finish winner, yet the final
13-minute-long opus will blow minds. Trust!
Stirring opener, "Prétexte Pour Indicatifs" is so mighty, it was covered by
Keith Mansfield on "Hot Property" from Big Business/Wind Of Change on KPM. It’s
a track in 4 deliberate parts, the first a rapid tour de force, the second and
third presenting organ-and-wah-wah-drenched slo-mo funk workouts and the fourth
a return to the frenetic energy of the opening bars. Phew, pretty sensational.
"Purgatoire Mood (Interlude)" is a beautiful segue into the stunning horn-laced,
swift-paced aggressive jazzy excellence of "Purgatoire Mood 1" and the more
poetic "Purgatoire Mood 2". Fast-paced funk beats and dramatic interplay!
"Christophus Colombus" is another song with multiple sections; the intro a
rapid wah-wah-enhanced psych-rock statement that truly thrills before settling
into a more steady yet no-less unrelenting guitar-funk showcase with wordless
vocals and, later, reflective guitar and piano in gorgeous harmony. Closing out
this electrifying side, the elegant "Bass In Love" is a soft’n’sultry slo-mo
funk instrumental, as rough cello, jazzy piano and salacious, breathy vocals
combine to create the scent of lingering heat to pretty rousing effect.
Ushering in Side B, "Sing Song Bass" is a slow starter but, once the drums kick
in brilliantly, we’re treated to a deeply melodic, propulsive,
organ-flute-piano-bass gem – it’s truly memorable and absolutely fantastic. The
wonky, delirious psych-pop of "Petit Moujik De Nuit" is a curiously compelling
number but it serves, for us at least, only as the pre-curser to the phenomenal
closing track. An absolute beast that totally slays all before it!
Yes, despite Maxi Music being that rarest of library records – a record that can
stand up on its own from front to back – it really does contain that one
absolute killer track. And Peterson saved the best until last. The real
highlight – can you imagine there’s better?! – is the blazing psych-rock funky
burner that is the infamous 13 minute thriller "Kermesse Non Héroique".
Containing a wicked flute solo it genuinely sounds like something off the first
Dungen album. Yes, that good. What a way to go out!
The audio for Maxi Music has been remastered by Be With regular Simon Francis,
ensuring this release sounds better than ever. Cicely Balston’s expert skills
have made sure nothing is lost in the cut whilst the original, iconic Tele Music
house sleeve has been restored here at Be With HQ as the finishing touch to this
long overdue re-issue.