symphonies - the collected recordings

• 5CD REMASTERED CLAMSHELL BOX EDITION GATHERING THE ESSENTIAL ALBUMS BY THE FRENCH PROGRESSIVE ROCK GROUP CLEARLIGHT.
• INCLUDES THE ALBUMS 'CLEARLIGHT SYMPHONY', 'FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES', 'LES CONTES DU SINGE FOU', 'VISIONS' AND 'IMPRESSIONIST SYMPHONY'.
• FEATURING GUEST CONTRIBUTIONS FROM STEVE HILLAGE, TIM BLAKE, DIDIER MALHERBE, DAVID CROSS AND DIDIER LOCKWOOD.

Symphonies – The Collected Recordings brings together the essential albums by Clearlight, the French progressive rock project led by pianist and composer Cyrille Verdeaux. Formed in 1973, Clearlight developed a distinctive sound that blended symphonic progressive rock, jazz fusion, psychedelic experimentation and atmospheric new age elements.

The collection opens with Clearlight Symphony, recorded in 1973 and 1974 and released by Virgin Records in 1975, featuring notable contributions from Gong members Steve Hillage, Tim Blake and Didier Malherbe. The follow-up, Forever Blowing Bubbles, expanded the project into a full-band setting and included guest work from former King Crimson violinist David Cross.

Also included are 1977’s Les Contes du Singe Fou, featuring former Magma violinist Didier Lockwood, and 1978’s Visions, both showcasing Verdeaux’s unique fusion of progressive, jazz, psychedelic and spiritual influences. The set is completed by Impressionist Symphony, released in 2014, which revived the Clearlight name with further appearances from Steve Hillage, Didier Malherbe and Tim Blake.

Presented as a newly remastered 5CD clamshell box, this edition gathers Clearlight’s key recordings together with a booklet featuring a new essay, offering a fine overview of one of the most distinctive artists to emerge from the French progressive rock scene.

Track Listing

Disc One: Clearlight Symphony

1. 1st Movement
2. 2nd Movement

Disc Two: Forever Blowing Bubbles

1. Chanson
2. Without Words
3. Way
4. Ergotrip
5. Et Pendant Ce Temps La
6. Narcisse Et Goldmund
7. Jungle Bubbles

Bonus Tracks

8. Sweet Absinthe
9. Without Words (Mellotron Mix)
10. Flute Aquatique
11. Overture
12. Vibrato

Disc Three: Les Contes Du Singe Fou

1. La Clé
2. A Trip to Orient
3. Lightsleeper’s Despair
4. Soliloque
5. Time Skater
6. Prelude
7. Cosmic Crusaders
8. Rivers of Time
9. Return to the Source

Disc Four: Visions

1. Spirale D’Amour
2. Messe Caine
3. Au Royaume Des Mutants
4. Full Moon Raga
5. Raga (Coda)
6. Songe de Cristal
7. Paix Prodonde

Bonus Tracks

8. Guitare Elevation
9. Crystal City
10. Shanti Louis
11. Heymae
12. Visions Nocturnes
13. O Rage, O Espoir
14. Songe De Cristal (remix)

Disc Five: Impressionist Symphony

1. Renoir En Couleur
2. Time is Monet
3. Pisarro King
4. Degas De La Marine
5. Van Gogh 3rd Ear
6. Gaugin Dans L’Autre
7. Lautrec Too Loose
8. Monet Time Duet