** The two recent Henri Texier reissue LPs in a special discounted bundle ** 

Henri Texier "Amir" (LP)
     
For years Amir, Henri Texier’s debut solo LP, stood slightly in the shadow of its follow-up, Varech, but is equal and towers in every possible way. There is no other record like it on earth - stunning from start to its final turn. In our view, it’s one of the greatest artefacts of the 1970s France scene, and that’s no small thing!

Deceptively minimal and elegant, Amir is the first time the world would hear of Texier’s signature sound - a universe of musical legacies, distilled and channeled through delicate, cycling bass tones and a chanting voice. Magical incantations, which draw the listeners in, forcing them to follow, leaving them forever changed. This is, in a few words, what great music is all about. Rhythmic pulses of the bass flirt with the sounds of the Oud, Ocarina, sparse hand percussion and clapping hands, painting the image of a deeply spiritual music drawn from countless traditions of music from around the globe and avant-garde jazz.

For fans of Don Cherry, Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society, Areski, and Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio, this is sure to prove to be a definitive missing link.

Amir is just plain incredible. It sounds as fresh and full of life as anything made today, while bearing an ambience that feels as old as time. In our view, it’s as incredible as records get and as absolutely essential as they come. Grab JMS’ repress fast. It’s not going to sit on the shelves for long.
     

Henri Texier "Varech" (LP)

For most fans of Henri Texier, Varech is the one. Original pressings retain holy grail status and are rarely found. It’s also the funkiest of Texier’s three LPs and was the sample source of the 2016 dance floor anthem / remix by Bonobo, Les La Bas. This one is still as deep and heavy as they come; an astounding emblem of the avant-garde taking on new forms. Like it predecessor and follow up, Varech is a singular hybrid of jazz, ambient and new age musics, minimalism, and diverse arms of the avant-garde, spliced with elements of Celtic, North African, Indian, and Middle Eastern musics, all channeled through Texier’s singular bass, Oud, and chanting voice - “fourth world” before the advent of the term. It is a call through time, reminding us of the power of music and its ability to reinvent itself without shedding those depths provided by roots. The mastery of its creator's self-taught vision, shines through each note, rhythm and tone, illuminating everything that falls under its spell.

Immersive and intoxicating - spiritualism found through sound which isn’t afraid to let loose, inspire a dance, and take you to ecstatic, meditative depths. A stunning piece of work which, as celebrated as it is, truly deserves more. It’s an astounding work by a visionary voice! Grab JMS’ repress fast. It’s not going to sit on the shelves for long.