French national Louiss is well known in Europe as a premier organist. It's unlikely that anyone has attempted what he's done here, save for Fleetwood Mac and the U.S.C. Trojan Marching Band on "Tusk." He combines his trio with a 40 member horn band he calls Fanfare. Perhaps bizarre for those used to the standard organ combo set-up, nonetheless it is a stylistically unique sound and approach. There a whole lotta funk goin' on here, from slow and ponderous to cerebral and expansive. A trio only hit like "Enlaces" with its gentle samba gives sway to the larger band pieces. "Insomnie" echoes Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker and the James Brown Horns, "Celestin" has a New Orleans shuffle flavor and swings a little, "La Scorpionne" has a swelling, pure orchestral tack, while "Cahin-Caha" cops the clarion cry of marching elephants, horns and organ in unison. This one will be for specialized tastes or completist fans of Louiss. You have to give him credit for being bold enough to try this, and perhaps it is more stunning in concert. Until someone goes one-up on him, this is unquestionably a one-of-a-kind project. ~ Michael G. Nastos Liner Note Author: Francis Dreyfus. Recording information: Studio Ferber [Paris] (01/??/1998-11/30/1998). Photographer: Jean-Baptiste Millot. Personnel: Eddy Louiss (piano, organ); Daniel Martinez, Claude Georgel (baryton); Xavier Cobo (alto flute, tenor saxophone); Georges Beckerich, Michel Hamparsumyan (trumpet); Philippe Jacquet, Gueorgui Kornazov, Christophe Jardin (trombone); Didier Havet (tuba); Paco Sery (drums, percussion). Audio Mixer: Ren� Ameline .