Fabiano Orchestra - Butterfly Island (1980) [Vinyl]

Talented multi-instrumentalist Jean-Francois Fabiano is still relatively unknown to most of us while his career reflects both his ability and his taste for various experiences. Born in Paris from a musician father who worked with Henri Salvador and Sidney Bechet, the young Fabiano quickly learned to play drums and guitar and formed his first band, Bijou, at the early age of 14. Following Economy studies in Annecy, near Switzerland, Fabiano got to play regularly with horn player Byron Pope's Speed Of Light and with a 4 drummers band called Pulse, together with Steve McCall, Kenneth Tyler and Bruce Carrington. He also recorded with Steve Lacy in 1973 (Scratch at Saravah) and Alain Bellaiche in 1974 (Sea Fluorescent for WEA). In 1978, he briought together an amazing all-star band of musicians to record Butterfly Island with his new band Fabiano Orchestra for Franck Riahi's tiny label Franck R. The line-up included west-indies legend Velo as well as US jazz masters like Clifford Jordan, Marvin 'Hannibal' Peterson and Carter Jefferson. This superb casting gave the album a unique sound, a perfect blend of west-indies grooves (Fo Ca Change, Creole) with contemporary spiritual Jazz fusion (the superb Pointe Des Chateaux or the title track). After gigs in Canada and in the USA, Fabiano became Gato Barbieri's permanent drummer for numerous years and started a new career as a movie soundtrack composer while touring around the world with many different artists (Robert Charlebois, Jeff Joseph, etc.).

Nearly impossible to find since the release date, Butterfly Island has gained through the years a cult status amongst Jazz and Rare Groove collectors throughout the world. While the main track Pointe Des Chateaux has appeared on a few compilations, the full album remains a mystery to most music lovers.