Cohen-Solal, Jean - Flutes Libres & Captain Tarthipom (1971-73)

Born in 1946, Jean Cohen-Solal studied music at the National Academy in Nimes from 1956 to 1963. Flute was his major, but he also studied the double bass. He learned counterpoint, harmony, chamber music & orchestration. From 1963 to 1966, he attended the Academy of Versailles with Cazauran Stone as his double bass teacher, and studied flute with Roger Bourdin and Gaston Crunelle and with the CNSM of Paris.
In 1965, Jean made connections with the GRM (Group of Musical Research of the ORTF). Between 1966 to 1973 he worked on the phenomenally popular French animation "The Shadoks", a series by Jacques Rouxel. He created the voice "Shadok", did the sound effects, and served as assistant and musical interpreter. In 1969, he was a prize winner at the international contest of flute of Montreux (Switzerland). He also won the prize at the International Contest of Chamber Music at Colmar. From 1970 to 1989, Cohen-Solal taught flute in the Paris area at a variety of academies and workshops. Jean's history as musician is long and fascinating, with his career as theatre and film composer.
In 1971, Jean released his first solo album Flute Libres and in 1973 Captain Tarthopom. Considered MASTERPIECES among progressive rock collectors all over the world, the first album is built around three short compositions on side A which are quite interesting and catchy. These pieces include the Indian Raga (sitar, tabla and flute), an exciting meeting between Eastern and Western cultures. Side B of this album is a 17-minutes epic, pure research of sounds, where Jean is experimenting in a way that sounds like early Tangerine Dream. Jean developed his own style with the flute -- a mix somewhere between classical and jazz to avant-garde. Many techniques were used in this recordings, consisting of (among others) of the use of multiple tracks for different flutes and added effects like distortion, wha wha, and others. He also played the double bass in a very unique way that took his music into darker atmospheres.
Captain Tarthopom, his most sought-after album, was released in 1973.This album is like a mix between Pink Floyd (Ummagumma era) , Magma, Focus, and Jethro Tull. The album is wrapped in a GREAT sense of humor and incredible production with fantastic guest musicians.
Jean Cohen-Solal is a name you'll find on the famous Nurse With Wound list and he fits there perfectly. While almost completely unknown outside of France, Jean Cohen-Solal deserves to sit with the most famous progressive rock bands. MIO Records

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