Cortex - 1978 - Pourquoi

Cortex

1978

Pourquoi

01. Sans Toi 5:55

02. Image 4:35

03. Pauvre Star 5:16

04. La Bulle 4:10

05. Runnin' From You 4:46

06. Le Visionnaire 4:12

07. Pourquoi 4:08

08. Make Me Love You 4:10

09. Matin Gris 4:30

Choir – Jean-Pierre Massiera, Joyce Pepino, Micky Figliolini

Drums, Percussion – Alain Gandolfi

Percussion – Jean-Luc Crema

Tenor Saxophone – Jean Lefebure

Trumpet – Giulio Didio

Vocals, Piano, Electric Piano, Synthesizer – Alain Mion

Recorded at Studio Antibes, April 1978.

Pourquoi is the third and the rarest album recorded by the French legends of jazz funk, Cortex. Trad Vibe Records presents a new edition, using the original master tapes. Pourquoi was initially recorded in 1978. It sounds like a new side of Cortex: songs are mainly composed around the voice and keyboards of band leader Alain Mion, who also played bass lines on synthesizer. Also, the band gave up live recording to use the beloved Stevie Wonder/Quincy Jones technique of "re-recording." But, in spite of these changes, their groove remains as spontaneous and powerful. The band collaborated with great backing vocalists and other session musicians, such as the great Italian trumpet player Giulio Didio, who performed the funky horn arrangements. There is plenty to enjoy on every track: the ending chorus of "Sans Toi" (which was written by Alain Mion for his wife, Mireille, and is probably the flagship track of the album) comes with a brilliant Rhodes solo that is one of the most emotion-loaded moments of the recording. Meanwhile, "Le Visionnaire" resounds with disco echoes and "Pourquoi" dips into melancholy. "Pauvre Star" rides high with its clavinet bass and drum rhythms, recalling George Benson. A favorite of funk collectors and French jazz lovers for years.