Clearlight - 2026 - Symphonies [The Collected Recordings]

(5xCD Box Set; Esoteric Recordings)






















This five-CD set brings together the most important albums from French symphonic progressive band Clearlight, namely their first four proper albums from the Seventies (neatly bypassing their third album, the soundtrack to the 1975 film ‘Visa de Censure N° X’), 'Clearlight Symphony', 'Forever Blowing Bubbles', 'Les Contes Du Singe Fou' and 'Visions' plus their 2014 release,  'Impressionist Symphony'. Clearlight was formed in 1973 by pianist and composer Cyrille Verdeaux who liked to collaborate with guests who worked in the same way he did, and through a series of events was introduced to both Gong and Richard Branson, with the first album appearing on Virgin and including Gong members Steve Hillage, Tim Blake and Didier Malherbe. Verdeaux then formed a full band in time for the second album which this time included former King Crimson violinist David Cross among others. 

By the time of 1977’s 'Les Contes du Singe Fou' the band now included former Magma violinist Didier Lockwood, while ‘Visions’ included a large number of guests, including again Didier Lockwood and Didier Malherbe. Over the years he occasionally resurrected the Clearlight name, before looking back to the beginning in 2014 and again inviting contributions Steve Hillage, Didier Malherbe and Tim Blake among others. This set includes a length essay from Verdeaux himself, explaining why he left Virgin and stayed in France following the release of 'Les Contes Du Singe Fou', and why he decided to produce his albums himself going forward. Clearlight are correctly viewed as symphonic prog, but in many ways, they are often more akin to modern classical, although some of the release find them experimenting with New Age and even Indian stylings. Most of the music is instrumental, although there are some vocals here and there, and it is on the former where the band really shines, with the piano underpinning everything. More than 50 years on from their debut, Clearlight are a band who are often overlooked by many, yet their influence on the nascent scene should be appreciated, and this set, which is nearly five hours long, is definitely the right way to find out more. 

Kev Rowland, July 2026

Links:
https://esotericrecordings.com/

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