HARMONIUM - L'HEPTADE (2 CD) - 1976

I find it hard to believe that so few prog fans have heard this album, which is beyond a shadow of a doubt a masterpiece. What's more, it's been available on CD from a major label for quite some time in Canada. Quebec's Harmonium broke up after this album, and it was for the best, because I can't seem them bettering it. Serge Fiori decided to drop some of the folky aspects of the band's previous albums, adding a rhythm section and working with a composer to come up with classical interludes. This double album describes a soul's mystical longings in a very emotional fashion. I think Fiori may have the finest, most expressive voice in prog, and he uses it to full emotional effect. Some songs are upbeat, featuring joyful multi-voice harmonies, but others are sombre ballads dripping with sadness. The instrumentation is a tasteful mix of clean guitars, classical piano, lush synth textures and strings. There are a couple of ambient passages that are tear-jerking in their beauty. As far as classical/rock unions go, it just can't get better than this. This is easily my favourite symphonic album, which fans of that kind of prog just can't afford to not own!
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