France and Prog: The Sleeping Giant

With up to 64 million people, France had more population than any other nation on the Democratic side of the Iron Curtain. Yet, with all the people and all the prog, France seems to get less recognition than it's surrounding neighbors. Italy and Germany receive most of the love on the Continent, and these days the Internet will look to Spanish or Dutch prog long before the French. The problem for France seemed to be a lack of unification; much like the UK, France had many movements going on without a central style as many nations had. On one hand, it makes it harder to find exactly what you're looking for with French prog, but on the other hand, this nation gives something for every fan.

France is probably most famous for housing Zehul. This strange little subgenre came out of the head of Christian Vander, a classically trained drummer. His band, Magma, made up it's own language, Kobaian, to sing epic multi album space operas. Best described ans somewhere in between jazz fusion and Romanticism, this genre is challenging but rewarding. Besides a neo-Zehul movement in Japan, this music is almost exclusively French.

France also had a healthy symphonic prog scene. The most famous band was Ange, who went on to be a strong influence on English prog rock groups like Pink Floyd. Many of those groups, like Asia Minor and Sandrose, sung in english, while others, like Wapassaou and Pulsar, used French. Other famous sympho progers included Pollen and Moving Gelatine Plates.

There was a large tangent of instrumental prog in France from the mid 70's. Atoll is one of the most legendary jazz fusion/prog groups, and their brand influenced many copycats. The French also were very creative and experimental, with bands like Clearlight and Art Zoyd going off on avant garde trips. Art Zoyd would later be associated with the RIO movement.

When exploring French prog, like most non US/UK porg, you'll have to do some searching. Albums are not easy to come by, especially outside of the Francophone world. Yet, it is worth the effort. With so much variety, France rarely fails to deliver a good listen. Bien écouter!