$8.99

NLC is the brainchild of Julien ASH, a French musician who explores different varied and innovating universes, from industrial chaos to elegant neo-classicism. His works evoke Michael NYMAN's style, without forgetting Pascal COMELADE's or Jean-Philippe GOUDE's universes. His creativity is only matched by his diversity. The artist's very prolific discography is characterised by the care taken not to fall in the trap of hermetic aestheticism or dry experiment, to rather concentrate on refined and elaborated melodies. Resisting the will to do it all himself, he regularly invites a lot of guests to give their own contribution. Violin, flute and keyboards parts build often delicate, airy and picturesque pieces with dreamy or nostalgic ambiences. This is a kind of Present classical chamber music which possesses the Past from the Future… First album recorded for the Gazul label, "Le Sanctuaire D'Is" dates back from 1997. Published a year later, "Le Domaine" evokes PENGUIN CAFE ORCHESTRA's subtle and refined works. They were followed by the excellent "The Cereal Killer" in 1999 and the "Unis" (1996) reissue that same year. As for "Moon" (2001), it will help you to jump into the new Millenium without any trouble. As "The Link Cutters" (2001) has been the achievement of a collaboration (With bass player Philippe JONCQUEL), "Les Grands Saules" (2002) tries to explore a bit further the melting of different moods and music styles. But this time, the result is like the soundtrack of a non-existing movie, with many characters appearing. So the mind may feel free to imagine pictures which may fit with the record. "Seabirds" (2002) is a mini-CD announcing the release of "The Book Of Laments" (2003). The 2004 release, entitled "Friesengeist - Part One", is the first volume of a conceptual saga. A great way to celebrate LES NOUVELLES LECTURES COSMOPOLITES' fifteen years of career. Also titled "Regelmässige Zerstörungen" ("Systematic Destructions"), the second volume continues the story in an excellent mood.