Nouvelles Lectures Cosmopolites

Rhythmic and atmospheric music, mostly synthetic as far as I can
tell. Echoes, for me at least, of Coil. Very emotive and well done.
NLC claim various psychic and magical benefits from the vibrations
in this music. If it works for you, then that's great, but like
most occult-influenced music, the effects and significance it has
for the originators rarely translate well for their uninformed
audience, who are much better off creating their own music so that
they can individually tailor its effects. Taken just as music on
its own merits, LSD is very pleasant ambient/instrumental stuff,
with a nice edge of the bizarre.

[review taken from EST Magazine #1 at
http://www.hyperreal.org/zines/est/reviews/musrevs1.html]

Debut CDsingle : 6 tracks of ambient industrial music, located between
SPK and Throbbing Gristle.

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

INCANDESCENT (1991) REVIEWS

Magnificent CD of richly orchestral sounds, mostly instrumental,
but whith a few whispered voices. Dominated by synthesized string
sounds, these 20 short pieces fit nicely into a coherent whole.
Deep, sustained synth notes and chords fill the space while
sprinklings of piano and muffled rumbling and grindings provide
contrast. Reminiscent of a less agitated Art Zoyd, and definitely
worth checking out.

[review taken from File 13 #11 (USA), copied from EDT official
site at http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/reviews]

A demo album, hand-made songs and sad ballads...

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

VESTIGES (1992) REVIEWS

The testament of the early period : close to concrete music, sometimes
melodic and sometimes noisy, a hauntingly strange sound collage.

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

ALLEGRO VIVACE (1992) REVIEWS

The first neo-classical CD by NLC, and the most famous one. A musical
illustration of Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, close to In the Nursery's
works.

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

"Allegro Vivace" is an amazing album. It would seems that tunes were out
from heart and not from mind.
I think Julien Ash was not able to make better than thus (but the time'll belie me).
With his music he always succeeds to create emotions and to suggest images.
This work is an unique piece from first to last track, an unique great melody
that kidnap for about 1 hour, while the listener would hope it lasts more.
Especially in "Dans Avec La Mort" there are divine piano tunes, a continued
crescendo that cuts breath.
I also think that Julien Ash is a man with a great capacity to feel and expose
his own emotions in music.

[review by Zelda]

ANGELS OF OÏKEMA (1993) REVIEWS

Two bands, two labels, and the combined talents of Julien Ash, Frederic
Bailly, Frederic Truong and Olga Zimovets, go to make up this shared
CD. For want of a tag, I would calls this as neo classical, with industrial
overtones ... there, I did it! NLC has quite an impressive history of
releases, which culminated in last year's Allegro Vivace. Unfortunately,
I fear that Angels of Oikema lacks the focus and direction of Allegro.
The melodies tend to take second place to the grandiose operatic vocals
of Ms Zimovets, but for me NLC's strength lies in the emotive and brilliantly
constructed harmonies performed by Ash. The influence of Michael Nyman
is abundantly clear on many of the pieces. Leitmotiv take a similar stance,
with perhaps a greater emphasis on strings and rhythms, but with nothing
particularly striking happening anywhere. I am tempted to suggest that
these are really "soundtrack" pieces, which would sit well in the background
of a well-shot arthouse film. The vocal talents of Zimovets are displayed a
little too often, and sound much the same throughout - or am I just a
complete philistine? If industrial chamber music is your bag, you'll love
this. It was a little beyond me, but I do look forward to the next NLC
release.

[review taken from EST Magazine #5 at
http://www.hyperreal.org/zines/est/reviews/musrevs5fm.html]

First part of the Oïkema trilogy : neo-classical music, sometimes baroque,
with vocals by Olga Zimovets (a russian Diva), and nostalgic melodies.

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

SPIRITUS REX (1994) REVIEWS

Second part of the Oïkema trilogy : mystic and meditative neo-classical
music. A very introspective album.

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

SECRET OF OÏKEMA (1994) REVIEWS

Third part of the Oïkema trilogy : dynamic neo-classical and esoteric
ambient music... A split CD with Legendary Pink Dots and Laurent
Pernice.

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

CLEAN (1995) REVIEWS

Clean (& Unclean)

These twin CDs are very similar, and in the same time opposite. Clean is
more open to public : neo-classical music with dynamic rythm box, and
some quiet melancholic tracks. Unclean is more confidential : electronic
experiments, ambient tracks, sometimes electro-dark compositions or
concrete collages... But there are many links between those two albums!

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

UNCLEAN (1995) REVIEWS

Unclean (& Clean)

These twin CDs are very similar, and in the same time opposite. Clean is
more open to public : neo-classical music with dynamic rythm box, and
some quiet melancholic tracks. Unclean is more confidential : electronic
experiments, ambient tracks, sometimes electro-dark compositions or
concrete collages... But there are many links between those two albums!

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

After all these years N.L.C. finally starts to gain considerable
popularity among those that are interested in dark wave. And whith
justice. Julien Ash, the person accountable for all those lovely
compositions, creates divine atmospheres by means of computers,
effects and guitar. You can hear the birds sing in your backgarden
and you can tell the weather by listenening to "Unclean". Christophe
Heemann, known from many projects, gave him a hand on one track.
This, and many other tracks are perfect soundtracks for a sad film.
Many compositions contain neo-classical elements. "Random feelings"
with that baroque atmosphere for example, could have been written a
few hundred years ago. "Unclean" is another lovely N.L.C. album.

[review taken from Phosphor (NL), copied from EDT official
site at http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/reviews]

LE LIEU NOIR (1995-1996) REVIEWS

All the series

N.L.C. mastermind Julien Ash fuses myriad musical styles with a coherent
concept artistically to create a constantly wonderful and unique listening
experience. Ornate classical keyboards and pulsing synthetic rhythms are
accented by chamber music arrangements and deep, dense ambient synthetic
textures. The constantly evolving thematic developments and flowing musical
arrangements have me shaking my head in wonder as each passage gives way
to a new musical surprise. These 5 LP releases consist of archival material
recorded in the early 1990's.

[review taken from Eurock (USA) official site at http://www.eurock.com]

All the series

These five different LPs contain unreleased studio recordings of strange
and peaceful music by NLC, with a lot of sound collages. Very limited
edition (200 copies each).

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco3]

La Mûre Reine + L'Amiral Ramirez

Suite des aventures de Julien Ash sur le terrain peu fréquenté du
vinyl avec ces deux volets sortis simultanément. On abandonne les
rivages calmes du premier volet pour se replonger dans les ambiances
bien connues du diptique "Clean" / "Unclean". On retrouve donc ici le
ménage à trois piano-strings-boîte à rythmes et pour être tout à fait
franc, on s'ennuie un peu au cours de ces nouveaux morceaux que l'on a
l'impression de déjà connaître. Cela manque un peu de nouveauté quoi.
Attendons la suite !

[review written by Jean-Marc Boucher of Harmonie, copied from
Harmonie official site at http://perso.club-internet.fr/harmonie/critn002.htm]

L'Amarre-Aile + La Morue Enrhumée

Suite et fin de la série "Le Lieu Noir" avec ces deux derniers volets.
On restait sur une impression mitigée avec les LP précédents mais là
attention, Julien Ash se rappelle à notre bon souvenir ! "L'Amarre-Aile"
(quel titre) est tout simplement le meilleur N.L.C. depuis "Secret Of
Oïkema". Délaissant enfin ses sons habituels et sa boîte-à-rythmes
envahissante, Julien Ash utilise de nouvelles sonorités, plus
expérimentales tout en restant mélodiques. L'apparition d'un vrai violon
n'est sûrement pas étrang�re à ce regain d'intérêt. Rien à jeter sur ces
dix titres et on retiendra tout particuli�rement les excellents "Yunnan",
"Balle Perdue", "El Diablo", "Faune" et "Le Lieu Noir Pt IV". Une
incontestable réussite, totalement indispensable. Pour clore la série
-avec un vinyl transparent-, Julien Ash revient à une musique encore
plus expérimentale, souvent à base de dialogues télévisuels (on reconnait
entre autres notre bon Pradel), brouillée et enrichie par divers autres
bruits. "SS" réutilise même les sons spécifiques de "Allegro Vivace",
dans sa partie expérimentale. Pour auditeurs avertis ce coup-ci.

[review written by Jean-Marc Boucher of Harmonie, copied from
Harmonie official site at http://perso.club-internet.fr/harmonie/critn004.htm]

La Morue Enrhumée

Conceptual ways of thinking rarely drive to success, at the most to
something audible. NLC brings an interesting brick to the wall, mixing
strings and keyboards.
La morue enrhumée broaches a really less easy side of NLC, more experimental
and electronic.
Very enjoyable, those records are quite perfect to accompany a new French
cookingdish: not much in the plate, not much in the ears but for gourmet
only. DD

[review taken from Under The Flag electro magazine (BE) at
http://freezone.exmachina.net/undertheflag/%2AReviews.html]

UNIS (1996) REVIEWS

Conceptual ways of thinking rarely drive to success, at the most to
something audible. NLC brings an interesting brick to the wall, mixing
strings and keyboards.
Unis often remember to Balanescu, sometimes to JM Jarre (...) or Pierre
Mertens plus numerous other light and minimalist influences.
Very enjoyable, those records are quite perfect to accompany a new French
cookingdish: not much in the plate, not much in the ears but for gourmet
only. DD

[review taken from Under The Flag electro magazine (BE) at
http://freezone.exmachina.net/undertheflag/%2AReviews.html]

A very powerful neo-classical album, refreshing and nostalgic at the same
time...

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

LE SANG DE LA LICORNE (1997) REVIEWS

Nouvelles Lectures Cosmopolites aka Julien Ash who also runs the
label on which NLC has a sizeable back catalogue. Childlike fragile
melodies that give you a feeling of something sinister, mixed with
natural sounds that stir your memories.

Neo-classical nuances with tin pan rythmic sounds coming from
unusual sound sources. Voice cut ups that suggest and hint at
events and then reinforced by almost Morricone soundscapes.
Melding avant garde, ambient and neo-classical elements to
conjour up the past, present and future. Reflective.

[review taken from Bizarre Fanzine #10 (UK), also available at
http://website.lineone.net/~venus-fly-trap/BZ10.htm]

Julien Ash et les Nouvelles Lectures Cosmopolites, apr�s un bref
séjour sur le label Karismatik (pour l'avant dernier CD Unis)
reviennent à l'autoproduction (Edition Des Ténèbres). Pas de grandes
surprises au niveau de l'instrumentation : samples, guitare acoustique,
percussions, synthés... et passages T.V... L'album s'inscrit comme la
logique de l'oeuvre de N.L.C.
Une oeuvre dépouillée, qui, sans pourtant s'écarter du chemin tracé,
étonne par sa fraîcheur et par son inspiration sans cesse renouvelée.
En 65 petites minutes, la musique classique est remise au goût du jour,
avec une orchestration des plus actuelle ; nous ne pouvons que féliciter
cette initiative, et remercier Julien Ash pour le plaisir qu'il nous donne
à la sortie de chaque album... Procurez vous au plus vite Le Sang de la
Licorne, disponible par correspondance chez E.D.T (Voir la nouvelle
adresse dans les Contacts).

[review taken from États Limites #01 (FR), also available at
http://www.dust.net/elimites/pages/frame.html]

A new period for NLC : still neo-classical, but with very strange
percussions : surprising sounds as spoons, toys, metal and wood
rhythms. A various and refreshing album.

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

LE SANCTUAIRE D'ÏS (1997) REVIEWS

Derri�re les trois lettres NLC (qui signifient Nouvelles Lectures
Cosmopolites) se cache un groupe de trois musiciens (ASH,
Angustere, Philippe BUR) à la déjà impressionnante discographie
désormais distribuée intégralement par Musea, ce "Sanctuaire d'ÏS"
étant leur premier témoignage sur le label Gazul.
A l'instar d'un Pascal COMELADE, la musique de NLC est peuplée de
percussions rudimentaires qui s'ajoutent et s'enchevêtrent à de nombreux
claviers. Le Sanctuaire d'Ïs présente des th�mes étonnants et originaux
où les samples occupent parfois une place prépondérante (Traum Durch
Die Sendung II) et où l'on découvre aussi des pi�ces beaucoup plus
classiques de piano solo (Lanugo) ou bien agrémentées de cordes, le
maître mot étant un esthétisme onirique et introspectif. Au bout du
compte, on obtient une musique proche de celle de Jean-Philippe
GOUDE mais tendant plus vers une douce berceuse poétique revisitée
par les théories de la musique concr�te.
Cependant, ASH et ses acolytes évitent l'écueil de la redite et savent
varier les différentes percussions, les thêmes des claviers, créant une
musique de l'instant qui sait s'évaporer avec grâce et légéreté.
Le Sanctuaire d'Ïs fait preuve d'une démarche avant-gardiste et originale
sans aucune concession artistique, ce qui ne saurait qu'être salué de nos
jours où la musique ambiante tourne en rond et ne sait que se répéter.
Un souci d'éthique et d'esthétique pour un disque rare et précieux à
convoiter comme un joyau froid...

Xavier Gombert

[review taken from ArtZero #08 (FR) at
http://www.multimania.com/bsadour/css/index.htm]

NLC ou le retour vers l'enfance. Pas cete enfance gangrenée par le
grand vide d'une culture spectaculaire, celle de l'espace où
s'entrecroisent les antagonismes, le noeud des contraires (L'Édifiante
Épopée de Pinpin le Lapin y précêde Hautes Sphêres). Un pays des
merveilles dans lequel chacun peut retrouver sa part d'Alice - loin
des niaiseries à la Disney : paix au bon pasteur Caroll - effrayée et
conquise simultanément par la magie des lieux. Situations passionnantes
parce qu'un peu effrayantes (ou bien l'inverse justement) issues d'une
production dont la faêade doucereuse dissimule des êtres inquiêtants :
quelle est la forme de celui qui, entre deux parasitages d'origine
vraisemblablement radiophonique, confie à l'auditeur que lui "aussi
porte un beau costume"? Ces mélodies sont bien trop évidentes pour
n'avoir pas quelque dérangeant secret à révêler à celui qui saura
persevérer dans leur écoute. Les sonorités organiques les complétant
semblent battre aux rythmes vitaux d'entités singuliêres, prisonniêres
de l'autre côte du miroir. Ceux à qui reste encore l'imagination n'auront
pas de difficulté à jouer à se faire peur... les autres apprendront.

[review taken from États Limites #03 (FR), also available at
http://www.dust.net/elimites/pages/frame.html]

N.L.C. is one of the greatest discoveries I've made in ages. A french
musical experiment headed up by "Julien Ash", it is in fact a free
ranging musical concept that combines electronics and neo-classical
chamber music into a stunning musical collage of styles and sounds.
Le Sanctuaire d'Is is their new release and is a remarkable sonic
voyage through electronic loops and beats, samples, piano and baroque
string arrangements. The music hints at the sound of Rene Aubry and
Torque at times, but goes beyond their style into darker realms of
ambient trance music as well. In all they have some 12 albums or so,
and i love them all. Unique and Highly Recommended!

[review taken from Eurock (USA), copied from EDT official
site at http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/reviews]

Still percussives, but also some strange organic ambiances, electronic
tracks and childish ballads.

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

Nouvelles Lectures Cosmopolites, el proyecto de Julien Ash con su típica
mixtura de elementos del minimalismo, electrónica, neo-clasicismo. Música
bohemia y vibrante.

[review taken from Margen mail-order catalogue at
http://www.arrakis.es/~margen/catalogo/c-progre.htm]

The most famous minimalist avant-guarde French band comes
back, entering by a hidden door to start singing with joy some
songs located between past, present and a pink future parfumed
whith edelweiss essence. Then, suddenly, dark clouds fill the sky
and the thunderstorm broke, violent, but drown the moment after
in a classical music full of tonus. You have to listen N.L.C. albums
as the little vinyls of your youth, excepted that you will not hear
the small bell which told you that it was time to turn the page.
Tasteful.

[review taken from Sub (CANADA), copied from EDT official
site at http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/reviews]

LE DOMAINE (1998) REVIEWS

Chaque découverte d'une nouvelle production de N.L.C. ´voques les
sentiments qui naissent à la rencontre d'un vieil ami : si le temps
qui passe en altêre et en modifie les contours, son essence demeure
inchangée. Aux percussions qui autrefois claquaient de maniêre trop
synthétiques se sont aujourd'hui substituées des sonorités plus
acoustiques, lignes rythmiques aux randeurs ethno-ambient. L'éventail
des textures s'est également développé : le piano constitue toujours
la clef de voûte de l'oeuvre tandis qu'instruments à vent ou à cordes
multiplient les incartades. Comme à son habitude N.L.C. s'aventure
panctuellement, et avec bonheur, sur le terrain bruitiste/expérimental
(Yunnah II) où les coups d'archet d'un violoncelle percent le chaos de
samples divers. Un seul "reproche" : certains marceaux (La Tempête,...)
bénéficient d'un tel potentiel qu'il est réellement regrettable de ne
pas les entendre dérouler plus longuements leurs thê;mes fascinants.

[review taken from états Limites #05 (FR), also available at
http://www.dust.net/elimites/pages/frame.html]

The brand new album by NLC just arrived and it is the ultimate musical
creation by of Julien Ash to date. Julien's first digital recording, the
use of keyboard, electronics, samples and acoustic instruments has never
been more inspired and pristine sonically. Neo-classic themes fuse with
acoustic chamber music passages, oblique samples and electronic backdrops
to perfection. The resulting mixture combines gothic ambient music with
bizarre experimental touches to create a unique example of French new music.

[review taken from Eurock (USA) official site at http://www.eurock.com]

More open to public than "Le Sanctuaire D'Ïs", "Le Domaine" is right away
understandable by the hearer. Some compositions from this modern chamber
music album come closer again to "minimalists" as Wim Mertens and Michael
Nyman with their melting of alto saxophones and double basses. But some of
them also withdraw from ours occidental cultures due to the use of zither
and asian percussions. An invitation to an initiatory journey in a concept
album rich in teachings...

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

Another surprise from France. Believe me, this is as good as The
Rachels. Lots of piano, backed whith stange soft toysounds, slow
drumpatterns, sax, etc... This CD draws your attention for more
than an hour. Very recommended for those cold winterdays, and
even hot and horny summerdays.

[review taken from (K-RAA-K)³ (D), copied from EDT official
site at http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/reviews]

Review courtesy John "Bo Bo" Bollenberg

About a year or so ago the unknown (to me) Julien Ash sent me his CDs
Clean and Allegro Vivace under the pseudonym of NLC which stands for
Nouvelles Lectures Cosmopolites. The ever-productive Ash has already
some new material out, of which Le Domaine is the most conceptual. By
means of samples, tapes, analogue synths and percussion, Ash tries to
evoke a peaceful, often-minimal music that I'm sure will please the many
fans of Wim Mertens. NLC sometimes evolves from industrial chaos,
created by means of unconventional percussion, towards neo-classical music
in the vein of Michael Nyman. Call it a new wave of chamber music through
which you can clearly hear influences from Debussy and you immediately
know that this kind of music is ideal for ballet and theatre. Especially
those parts where piano and cello complement each other are of enormous
high quality. I should also stress the clear production of this album,
something that amazes me time and time again with each NLC release.

[review taken from Progressive World, at http://www.progressiveworld.net/nlc.html]

Having only heard Nouvelles Lectures Cosmopolites on compilations,
this album has been to me a nice introduction to the musical world
of Julien Ash, widely known with his extensive discography and many
collaborations to experimental compilations under the NLC banner.
The result of a neoclassical music made with synthetic devices is
quite satisfactory on Le Domaine - very balanced and varied as well
- ranging from darker and full of tension passages with the use of
a treated cello, bells, synths, some percussion and oriental sitar,
to pure lighty electronic neoclassical oriented experiments. Rather
inventive and inspired, Julien Ash creates a very unusual atmosphere
and it's clear his intention to follow his own ideas without any
outside influence. I usually tend to become uninterested when the
matter includes more prolific bands, but the work here is an
excellent exception.

[review taken from Quintessence, at http://www.swcp.com/mv/essence/]

LE LANGAGE DES AUTRES (1998) REVIEWS

A very special release by Nouvelles Lectures Cosmopolites, this album
is the quintessential fusion of minimalist electronic pulsations, with
dark ambient soundscapes and neo-classic interludes. A strictly LTD. ED.
packaged in a unique plastic box. Incroyable!

[review taken from Eurock (USA) official site at http://www.eurock.com]

A limited (200 ex.) CD edition of the 1996 tape. Experiments with voices
and rhythms, mixed with some more melodic parts. This was surely the sixth
part of "Le Lieu Noir"...

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

ASD 002 THE CEREAL KILLER (1999) REVIEWS

N.L.C. is from France and is actually one Julien Ash. This is NLC's 15th
album. Like most people I'd never heard of this artist before, and after
hearing "The Cereal Killer" the question needs to be asked .. Why not ?
This is one of those great releases that is completely different to
anything anyone else is doing. There are certainly some influences of
"IN THE NURSERY". The music is neo-classical, ambient, minimalistic
with sound collages added in places. There are acoustic instruments used
(bass, cello, trumpet, piccolo, piano ..). There is always something
happening in this album even to the point where a melody ends, which you
assume is the end of the track and a different piece starts up, but it
is still the same track. There are parts to the music that are haunting
and with the aid of the sound collages and ambient textures Julien Ash
has come up with something that sounds fresh and above all original.
This is an album that will take a few listens to get into as you discover
all the various textures to the album.

[review taken from Cranium mail-order catalog at
http://www.cranium.co.nz/catalog/A_1451.htm]

Note : 15/20
Style : néo-classique / électronique
Innovation : 20 à 30 %
Accessibilité: tout public

Seul dans sa chambre, il fait de la musique de chambre. C'est ainsi qu'on
pourrait qualifier Julien Ash, créateur de NLC. Cependant pour cet album il
a ouvert grand ses fenêtres. Sur un fond de bruits campagnards, il promê;ne
son regard avec mélancolie. Sa musique est composée de morceaux
judicieusement ajustés les un aux autres, ce qui donne à l'auditeur une
sensation de travelling permanent , tout un film.
Il frôle parfois l'ambiance à la Comelade, avec toutefois une instrumentalisation
plus moderne.

[review taken from Doggy Bag at
http://www.doggybag.org/review/cd/cd0001.htm]

Lors d�une précê;dente chronique, Etats Limites s�était autorisé à
signaler que le potentiel de certaines compositions présentent sur
Le Domaine auraient mérité un traitement plus développé. La réserve
perd désormais toute sa justesse puisque cette fois la durée moyenne
des plages, voisinant les sept minutes, permet d�apprécier pleinement
toute la finesse du nouvel ouvrage concocté par Julien Ash et ses
invités. La formule ne connaît que peu d�évolutions - le piano demeure
à la base des créations - mais, comme à l�issue d�un subtil processus
de distillation et de filtration, il ne semble rester que l�essence
concentrée des mélodies qui jusque là se voyaient morcellées en éclats
juxtaposés. Violoncelle, flute, percussions et basse accentuent encore
la richesse de ces constructions étrangement familiê;res et pourtant si
propices aux états oniriques tandis que la mélodie accélérée d�une
trompette emporte l�auditeur vers des sommets lumineux. Outre le nom
de cet album qui ne manquera pas de faire sourire, N.L.C. multiplie
les clins d��il visuels et l�humour décalé avec des titres
rafraichissants tels ces Panique Dans La Basse-Cour ou Le Torero, La
Mouche Et Le Diurétique.
Est-il finalement utile de préciser que ce Cereal Killer est une perle?...
C�en est une.

[review taken from États Limites #07 (FR), also available at
http://www.dust.net/elimites/pages/frame.html]

An astonishing sound collage whith the help of acoustic instruments (bass,
cello, trumpet, piccolo...) and ... farm animals.

[opinion copied from EDT official site at
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nlc.edt.music.label/html/disco1]

UNIS RE-RELEASE (1999) REVIEWS

GAZUL and EDT present a remasterized version of Nouvelles Lectures
Cosmopolites' 1996 album, previously released on Karismatik, with three
bonus tracks. Without any doubt, this is the most achieved work from NLC's
neo-classical period. Directly inspired by baroque music, this melodic and
rhythmic album is certainly NLC's most accessible work, and anyway an
excellent key to discover this one-man project's so particular and oniric
universe. This could be modern chamber music...

[review taken from Musea Records official site at http://www.musearecords.com]

MOON (2000) REVIEWS

Avec des titres dont la durée moyenne n'excède pas trois minutes, "Moon",
ainsi que l'indique J. Ash un peu plus haut, apparaît comme une espèce de
concentré des travaux antérieurs de la formation. Cette nouvelle production,
concoctée avec tous les ingrédients - atmosphères délicieusement mélancoliques,
mélodies enfantines faussement évidentes, omniprésence des claviers (le piano
est cependant plus discret qu'à l'habitude) - qui font sa griffe si particulière,
apporte également son lot d'innovations. La multiplicité des interventions
confère une dimension moins exigüe aux sonorités, les synthétiseurs se voient
désormais relégués derrière les guitares et autres cordes (notamment un
violoncelle aux interventions aussi ponctuelles que judicieuses), les séquelles
de la période indus-expérimentale flottent vaguement en arrière-plan.
L'effacement des percussions ethno/ambiant au profit de rythmiques plus
actuelles (pour tout dire, parfois, franchement trip-hop, sur le superbe
"Annapurna Observatory 1" ou sur "Dance Of Trolls") contribue un peu plus
à renouveler cet univers onirique parfois inquiètant où quelques voix
innocentes lancent leurs étranges interrogations ("Moonwalkers"), où
les couleurs du crépuscule se mêlent à celles du rêve.

Une merveille.

Jm.

[review taken from États Limites #08 (FR), also available at
http://www.dust.net/elimites/pages/frame.html]

The new album by French music master Julien Ash represents his most
accomplished and sophisticated effort to date. All the elements of his
previous work are present, but integrated in a more fluid conceptual style
than before. Ornate chamber vignettes featuring piano flow into metronome-like
bass/percussive passages overlain by delicate strings that mutate into exotic
ambient electronics haunted by playful child-like melodic themes. MOON
is a stunning creation of magical music.

[review taken from Eurock (USA) official site at http://www.eurock.com]

Another NLC album, maybe the nineteenth !? Well, that's right, but this time,
it shouldn't be called a solo project, because of the complexity of his
arrangments, the variety of instruments used (bass, guitar, dobro, jew's harp,
percussions, cello...), and his kind of "poppy" touch... Of course, the melodies
are still very nostalgic, there are omnipresent dark ambiances, a lot of
mystery, but the acoustic instruments and the use of improvisation make the
record very fresh and intuitive. A concept album which is like nothing on
earth.

[review taken from Musea Records official site at http://www.musearecords.com]

Contact: Le Lieu Noir