The first ever live performance and recording by Marc Moulin’s deep jazz-funk band Placebo is a doozy. Never before released, this recording - made during the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1971 - was a precursor to the Belgian band's three highly obscure and sought after albums, Ball of Eyes, 1973, and their 1974 self-titled masterpiece. As diggers may already know, these three albums are the cream of the proverbial rare-groove crop, with clean copies of originals fetching close to a grand or more. This live endeavor was a dream setting for Marc Moulin to lead his ensemble, and laid the foundation for Placebo's three classic albums. Imagine: early summer, 1971 along the Montreux Riviera. Picturesque scenery, a fabled music history and amazing wines. Moulin leads his ensemble on a 26+ minute adventure. "Showbiz Suite" is a soulful odyssey in two parts, and allows each instrument (Marc Moulin on Fender Rhodes, Nick Kletchkovsky on bass, Freddy Rottier on drums, Johnny Dover on bass clarinet, Alex Scorier on soprano saxophone, and Richard Rousselet on flugelhorn) room to breath and shine. As WRWTFWW notes, the suite "smoothly navigates between cozy cognac-by-the-fireplace funk and heartfelt grittiness, served with a pinch of Soft Machine vibes". This limited edition pressing is not to be missed. 180g vinyl mastered at half speed, housed in a 350gsm sleeve with UV coating and obi strip. This will very likely sell out so DO NOT SLEEP. Released by We Release Jazz.

• half-speed master
• 180g vinyl
• heavy duty sleeve with UV coating // Obi
• limited edition
• music label: We Release Jazz 2019

reviewed by Remington Suede 6/2019