Coincidence - 2024 - Archives 1973-1974

(49:28; Castle Records)






















Coincidence were a jazz rock fusion band formed by the Llabador brothers, Jean-Pierre (guitars, vocals) and Jean-Claude (guitars, keyboards, vocals) in France in the Seventies. They released two studio albums, but Jean-Claude was sadly killed in a car accident which led Jean-Pierre to then work as a solo artist, his debut solo album being called ‘Coincidences’ to show where he came from. Now, more than 40 years since that release, Castle Records are looking back at the legacy of the band with a previously unavailable live recording plus a reissue of the two studio albums.

I have no idea why there are six people on the cover of this release, as according to the label the rest of the band at this time were Dominique Frasson-Cochet (flute, saxophone, vocals), André Simantirakis (bass, vocals) and René Mirguet (drums, percussion). The highlight of this set is opener “Glimpses” which is more than 30 minutes in length, containing lots of influences by Focus, Soft Machine. There are times when we get both guitarists, others when Jean-Claude is on keyboards, while the switch between flute and saxophone by Dominique totally changes what we are listening to. Although there are some vocals this is mostly instrumental, with repeated melodies and very close intertwined melodies. This is not a band on an improvisational blast but rather something which has been rehearsed a great deal, and I am somewhat surprised that none of the four songs on this set made it onto either album.

This does feel quite dated, both in terms of the music being performed and the recording quality, but of all three this is the one I warmed to most. I do find it strange that this is the first time it has been made available, as there is a vitality within which makes it exciting, with great interplay between the brothers, a chunky bass Chris Squire would have been proud of, and the woodwind switching totally changing the impact. To my ears this is a “lost” album that anyone into the classic JRF style of progressive rock would do well to discover. 

Kev Rowland, February 2025

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