Motis - Prince Des Hauteurs (2004)

Founded in Haut-Jura, France in 2000

Motis is the vehicle for French artist Emmanuel Tissot (in fact it's an anagram of his name), a well-schooled multi-instrumentalist who carved his craft in various prog and traditional bands in France. With a profound appreciation for French medieval traditions, combined with the progressive elements ushered in by the legendary Ange (with whom Motis has had numerous interfaces), the new century was the platform to record some brilliant material, a further take on Malicorne , another legendary French/Breton band.
Motis first 2 unreleased albums are one-man affairs ("A Chacun son Graal" 2000 and ?La Fête des Fous? 2001). Together with drummer Rémy Diaz and assorted guest musicians, they recorded in 2004, the exciting ?Prince des Hauteurs? and in 2007, the magical ?L?Homme-Loup?. Motis handles all the vocals with an evocative delivery, full of drama and theatrics (not far removed from Ange?s Christian Décamps) as well as supplying intricate guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, spinet, synthesizer, mellotron, bass and Taurus pedals, while Diaz adds subtle drumming and exotic percussion. The music is clearly a throwback to the Middle Ages, full of lush emotions and yet fueled by modern arrangements and a clear production. A fine modern day companion to Ange?s 1973 classic ?Au Delà du Délire?