Marc Moulin: Tohubohu pt. I and Tohubohu pt. V
From Sam Suffy [CBS, 1974]
Marc Moulin is considered a jazz legend and pioneer of the sound which has been dubbed acid jazz. Pianist/keyboardist/producer, Moulin was heavily influenced by the vibrant European jazz scene of the early 60’s, and later artists like Herbie Hancock, Jimi Hendrix, and Soft Machine, a sound which he wrapped up in a group called Placebo. The Placebo albums are great exercises in jazz, funk, and rock, but this post focuses on the 1974 sessions Sam Suffy, an imaginitive blend of jazz, soul, and early examples of integrated electronics and sampling, in effect formulating blueprints for acid jazz, hip hop, and beyond.
The line-up is simplified around the trio Marc Moulin (piano and synthesizers)/Richard Rousselet (trumpet)/Bruno Castellucci (drums), after too much dissipation with Placebo. The entire album is solid as a rock, but one of my favorites has to be “Tohubohu Pt. I” which was sampled by Automator and Prince Paul on the first Handsome Boy record. That one piano chord is eerily effective, and the water sample only adds to the track’s desolate space. “Tohubohu Pt. V” plays like a continuation to its predecessor, telling an equally chilling tale through sequencers, Moog, and lazy instrumentation.
Unfortunately this album sort of got lost in the shuffle behind similar, more mainstream artists like Herbie Hancock and George Duke, but has been appropriately ressurected by jazz heads, producers, and record mongers, as well as Blue Note which recently re-released Sam Suffy to mark its 30th anniversary, not only featuring the groundbreaking work, but a totally worthwhile remix of “Tohubohu Pt. 1″ as well.
Note: Earfuzz was recently featured in the Boston Globe alongside heavy hitters like Aurgasm, Sole Sides, and Tofu Hut. It’s flattering to be recognized amongst such great company, especially after only six months of operation. Thanks to our readers, and all the other great blogs out there supporting us and doing what they love. You can read the article here and here.
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Exellent choice,love these tunes. Those water drips were also sampled by Dj Vadim on his first album. Dj Vadim also sampled placebo on the lp 'the isolationist'which features the anti pop consortium. Balek by placebo is also a killer tune, I think its been comped some point.
a lot of that marc moulin stuff i can't believe was being made back then. it just sounds so ahead of its time. imma check for that vadim track.
" knowledge vs. wisdom (a difference in wordplay)" is the name of the track from vadims lp " USSR repertoire (the theory of verticality) ". whole album is full of slow, bugged out beats. Came out in 96. One of those records where you sometimes wonder if it should be played at 45, Exellent album though.
Superb album, like you say, well ahead of it's time. Tohubohu pt. V was used by Jazzy Jeff on Jill Scott's debut as well if memory serves correctly.
why do the water drips sound like something less innocent to me?
congrats on the coverage…keep up the good work.
this is so cool. This is the kind of stuff I love to find on Ear Fuzz. I'm going to buy the CD as soon as I find it.
Why these tracks are down, while older ones (like Impressions) are still here??