Algue - Descente aux Enfers / Les Enfants. 1981 France

Interesting. I knew the name Algue sounded familiar, and that's because their moniker sits with the Jean Luc Hamonet album, which I own (and need to revisit again). I guess I'd thought Hamonet was the leader of a band called Algue. I'm just now catching on that Algue were their own group, and likely Hamonet hired them on for his sole recording.

Prior (or maybe after, we'll get to that in a minute), Algue released this extended single (nearly 11 minutes) with two tracks. 'Descente aux Enfers' is a fine rock song with extended jamming toward the end, which gives off a whiff of a west coast psych feeling. The song itself is relatively non distinctive however. The gem here is 'Les Enfants'  - which conjures up the ghost of none other than Jimi Hendrix. Mostly instrumental with some fierce wah wah guitar soloing. Great stuff. If the Hamonet album ever does get reissued, it sure would be nice to append these two tracks to it!

Now to the date of the recording. The "generally accepted" date is 1981. Once again, I'm at a loss where that comes from, as there is no date on the single itself. And there is no corroborating data (that I could find). The French Discography book (i.e. the analog internet for you kids scoring at home) calls out 1984. The problem is... this single sounds more like 1972! Then again the Hamonet album is from 1982, and it certainly sounds earlier than that one, so I question 1984 for sure. Who knows... perhaps the story will emerge one day. Pay no mind to that, check this one out if you have the chance.

Ownership: SP: 1981 private. With picture sleeve. Recent online acquisition (2022).

5/10/19 (first listen / review / new entry); 7/25/22 (update)