Rousseau
Flower In Asphalt

THE REVIEW

The "Rousseau" are German, they play Prog following, but not slavishly, in the footsteps of Camel and Caravan, composing always in an original and convincing way. This LP is their first work dated 1979, a year in which the progressive genre had already been swept away by the Punk wave. In its genre, it cannot be considered an indispensable, desert island record, due to its somewhat derivative aspect, but it definitely deserves a lot of attention to delve deeper into the German Prog scene, the only one that has been continuous and courageously built, against market feedback and fame, a solid bridge between the classical moment and "Neo Prog" which, at the time of the album’s release, was still a long way off. The album is entirely instrumental and spreads simple and relaxing atmospheres that help our mind’s journeys towards destinations immersed in nature or towards our quiet harbor where we most like to let ourselves drift. There is everything necessary without unnecessary weights: Mellotron, Hammond, Flute, etc., for an airy blend that allows us to dream and fly; listen to track 4 thinking of the ending of "Blade Runner" and you will agree with me.

I never deliberately delve into individual tracks because I prefer to leave you with the curiosity to discover them. Instead, I prefer to briefly talk about the aftertaste this album left me, akin to the sensations experienced at the end of reading a good novel with a happy ending.