The Black Noodle Project - 2004 - And Life Goes On... [2024 Remaster]

(69:00; Progressive Promotion Records)






















It is always nice to be able to revisit an old friend, and that is what we have here as towards the end of 2024, Progressive Promotion Records celebrated the 20th anniversary of TBNP’s debut album by issuing a remastered version with two additional demoes and a slightly revised cover. I reviewed it back in the day, and was in contact with Jérémie Grima who started this as a one-man project in 2001 as he wished to record personal musical ideas from a solo viewpoint. In 2002 Jérémie released a demo, which Musea liked and he set up a label called B-Smile Records to promote the album. The project soon became a band, with Jérémie (lead guitar and vocals) being joined by Arnaud Rousset (drums, Brainstore), Antony Leteve, (bass, Spectrum of Oblivion) and Matthieu Jaubert (keyboards). 

I really enjoyed the album when it was released, commenting it was let down slightly by the production, which I was sure could be corrected in the future – but did not realise it would take two decades for my words to come true. For a debut It starts gently enough; lulling the listener in with some background noise as the band gradually finds their way into the music. Although it can appear to be simplistic, it is actually constructed so that the listener concentrates carefully on what is going on and the Gilmore, Latimer, Chandler guitar solo that comes in makes total sense. There is a strong use of acoustic guitar and the result is music where Pink Floyd has been crossed with Roine Stolt in a way that makes for an album that is extremely enjoyable and open. 

Yes, this is prog, but it is easily accessible on first hearing, and is one I found the more I played it the more I get out of it. When I reviewed it back then I said it had to be one of the best French albums I had heard since Minimum Vital’s ‘La Source’, and I still hold to that view now. Of course, TBNP are a highly regarded outfit these days, still releasing material with Sébastien Bourdeix very much at the helm, the debut being the only album he has not featured on. I asked Jérémie about his influences and he responded with “I guess every musician in the band has his own, but I do not think I’m mistaken if I say that almost everyone has been influenced by Pink Floyd, of course. I like to work with open-minded people and everyone in the band listens to many different styles. For example, I really used to like metal when I was younger and I think it does influence my work now, but I like also movie soundtracks (I just LOVE cinema), folk music, pop rock and many different kinds of music. In fact, I’m interested in everything with true emotions and research”. That this album still feels relevant 20 years after it was released is a testament to its power, and anyone who enjoys Floyd mixed with The Flower Kings with strong instrumental passages and great melodies is in for a delight. The remaster has livened this up tremendously, and it really is essential to any proghead. 

Kev Rowland, June 2025

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