This was some sad news. The supremely inventive Hector Zazou has died. Sixteen years ago David at pbe introduced me to his Sahara Blue album and upon the umpteen millionth listening tonight it still sounds fresh. Not an easy feat given the space between then and now. On that album Zazou set Rimbaud to music using a cast that included Bill Laswell, John Cale, Dead Can Dance, David Sylvian, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Sussan Deyhim, Steve Shehan, Keith LeBlanc, Paul Simenon, about 30 others, and, oh yeah, Gérard Depardieu. The album is a stunning accomplishment of synthesis. This project would have been impressive even if it had failed. But it didn't. It's nearly perfect. No, actually, it is perfect. Nobody else could have pulled this off. Now nobody else ever will.
PS: If you really want a treat, do a little digging and find the Depardieu-voiced "I'll Strangle You" extended EP. Très massif!
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