Dominique Guiot
L'Univers De La Mer

The musical genre known as Library Music seems to be one of the latest trends, but above all a rediscovery among music collectors. This name is used to categorize those records that contain soundtracks typically used for films, documentaries, or TV show themes. This is certainly a rather reductive description of the phenomenon, meant only to formalize the context being discussed. There are various in-depth analyses to be done, as it is a phenomenon in Italy that includes names of the caliber of Ennio Morricone, Alessandro Alessandroni, Piero Piccioni, and many others. The genre boasts a large number of artists in France. What struck me the most was Dominique Guiot's first album "L'Universe De La Mer" dated 1978. Just over thirty minutes of mellotron, guitars, keyboards, and synthesizers perfectly blended together. Extremely evocative openings, phrases with melodic textures never too intricate and often subdued, a vague folk tone that emerges suddenly at various moments, and synthesizers that simply serve as a constant backdrop, which however proves to be an excellent glue in the succession of the various songs. I find that there are strong similarities with the self-titled album by the Italian group Automat, but that the result of the French artist is decidedly more successful (strictly personal opinion). In light of this, I believe that mentioning the word progressive is not entirely wrong. Detailed information about the artist is not available, the album was reissued in 1979, but both editions require a keen search. Reissue? Personally, I am always hopeful.