Description
#danielschell&dickannegarn #vinyl #vinylrecords
Belgian duo Daniel Schell and Pascale Son, along with producer Alain Pierre and Dutch prog rock legend Dick Annegarn, crafted a mind-altering concept album titled ‘Egmont & The ff Boom’ in 1978. Released by Finders Keepers, this obscure gem showcases a blend of jazz, progressive rock, and psychedelic elements, featuring notable musicians and producers from the Lowlands. The album revolves around the story of Count Egmont, a 16th Century Dutch nobleman who opposed the inquisition but remained loyal to the Spanish throne, ultimately being executed for heresy. The band uses Egmont’s tale as a backdrop to explore the evolution of the oud, described as “the grandfather of the guitar”.
The eccentricity of ‘Egmont & The ff Boom’ is palpable, as Schell and Son’s remarkable talents merge with Pierre’s production genius. Known for their previous Finders Keepers releases like ‘Ô Sidarta’ and ‘Des Morts’, the Belgian avant-garde pioneers incorporate Annegarn’s distinct Dutch wordplay into the album. Furthermore, Catalan singer Ilona Chale, later frontwoman of COS, contributes alongside Waterloo’s Dirk Bogaert, Solis Lactus drummer Felix Simtaine, and Classroom bassist Jean-Louis Baudoin. The result is a surreal explosion of unhinged instrumentation, intertwined with jazzy elements, eccentric vocals, and truly psychedelic oud sounds. It’s a baffling masterpiece that leaves one wondering what the creators were indulging in during the album’s production.
