L’Eclair release dinosaur

Sauropoda are a type of dinosaur with a very long neck and a very small head. “Sauropoda” is also the title of L’Eclair’s new album. It’s their third. “Think of it as a 2am youtube find. Or that weird looking soviet prog funk LP reissue you never dared to buy,” they write on their Facebook page. Well, that explains it, then.

Listing their hometown as “Babylone”, the band – once again according to their Facebook page – consists of Sébastien Bui (International Keys), Elie Ghersinu (Dino Bass), Stefan Lilov (Broken Wah Guitar), Yavor Lilov (Kicker’s Delight/Endless Kick/Bronto Kick), Quentin Pilet (Bongos Driver), Alain Sandri (Mellow Lifestyle and Congas), and DJ Laxxiste (440 FX). Alternatively, according to their Bandcamp page, they are Mr. China, Space Krum, Bootsy Cobra, Genghis Love, Blacky Joe, and No Filter.

As might be gleaned from their loose approach to identity and biography, the band produces a purely instrumental sound that is both irresistibly groovy and yet sharply ironic. Wading knee deep in funk, they’re also wallowing in 60s blaxpoitation cool and flirting with loose-limbed easy-listening chic. Blending influences like Sly Stone, Curtis Mayfield, Bert Kaempfert and, perhaps, a hint of minimalist Can, here’s one dinosaur that’s very much alive.

“Sauropoda” was released in France and Switzerland on 24 May by Bongo Joe Records and on the New York label Beyond Beyond is Beyond in the rest of the world.

L’Eclair
Bongo Joe Records
Beyond Beyond is Beyond