Patrick Forgas
Cocktail

Patrick Forgas... and who was he? This obscure figure in music is quite known among progressive music enthusiasts by the nickname he was given: the French Robert Wyatt. Indeed, some might say? Indeed. At this point, to respect popular wisdom, a third question arises: is such appreciation justified?

Let's focus on the artist's work in question. "Cocktail" was released in 1977, past the golden age for progressive music in almost the whole world except in France, where many chose it as a reference at the time, leading to absolute masterpieces being recorded (in my opinion, "Eros" by Dun, one of the jewels of European progressive, was released in 1981!). Forgas was very young, just over 20 years old, and was fascinated by the Canterbury scene across the Channel, particularly by the former leader of Matching Mole. He wandered through numerous bands of the era without getting a big break, being a multi-instrumentalist though favoring the drums like his idol. When he got the opportunity he had hoped for, he enthusiastically began writing, singing, and recording the album, working on numerous instruments with the help of other young musicians.

The result is modest, certainly appreciable, but it offers some doubts due to the inexperience that accompanied him. In short, the classic youthful mistakes. The first side has some ideas lost in the excessive brevity of the pieces (there are 9 of which 6 do not exceed 2 minutes, almost impromptu moments without particular significance), I positively note "Monks" and "Orgueil". The second side, however, presents the best of the album and consists of a suite titled "My Trip", which comprises seven movements; listening to it, one can note a strong connection with Wyatt's solo albums, in the voice and use of percussion, and a whole series of supporting elements where saxophones, winds, and decent keyboard moments sparkle.

In conclusion, what remains? An interesting album, born of a strong desire to emerge, the same that seems to have played a bad trick on an artist who had time to show who he was, allowing him to earn the rightful respect and reward for qualities that are difficult to dispute.