Laurence Vanay - Galaxies

Laurence Vanay is the pseudonym for Jacqueline Thibault, wife of producer and musician Laurent Thibault (Magma). Her debut album "Galaxies" (1974) is pure genius: incredible, spacey "progressive chanson," rivaled only by the early work of Brigitte Fontaine for pure inventiveness. An album of inconspicuous, sincere beauty, a masterwork of the French progressive music scene, and a Holy Grail for collectors of 70's underground French music. Sublime compositions: unique, melancholic and very powerful. "Galaxies non-chalantly locates an almost exact midpoint between You -era Gong, Brigitte Fontaine, and Françoise Hardy, with attractively naïf French-language vocals negotiating bittersweet melodies and jazzy, cunningly asymmetrical grooves. And the Elysian title track is, in Magma-speak, very "zeuhl." - Record Collector"Thibault never seems to use more instruments than necessary - 1970's sacrilege! - which gives the tracks a relaxed, soothing feel, due in no small part to Thibault's ever-present organ washes, spare piano figures and gentle vocals, as well as her use of acoustic guitar, flute, and hand percussion." - Dave Mandl, The Wire"Since childhood, I improvised and composed songs and instrumental music... it seemed to me that music was the true language of emotions. It was with great difficulty that I managed to record the albums "Galaxies" and "Evening Colours" in very limited time with the means at hand, and with the help of faithful musician friends." - Jacqueline Thibault.