Cafe Jacques - Round the Back (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

Smart UK popsters too slick for the times.

Gary Ortleib | Warren, Michigan USA | 06/28/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"You're forgiven if you don't remember these guys. Most people don't. The product of bad timing more than anything else, Cafe Jacques came along just as Punk/New Wave exploded in the late '70s and totally redefined the musical landscape. Too bad, because this band was talented. They played a smart, jazz-tinged pop with a touch of prog (some UK prog players of the era helped out, including Phil Collins) that went all over the musical map. Songs range from tight, melodic pop (Meaningless) to some blues (Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City) to a little swing (Farewell My Lovely) to prog (Sands Of Singapore) to gorgeous balladry (Eberehtel). And that was just the first side (back when there were "sides" on vinyl albums.) Their second album, "International," wasn't quite as strong as this one, but had a few gems and is worth getting (it's available as a Japanese import if you look hard enough for it.) After the second album, the band called it quits and began their long journey into obscurity. Highly recommended."

You've Got To Hear This!!!!!!!

soundpro62@hotmail.com | The Land of Andy and Opie | 08/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My first experience hearing Cafe Jacques was around 1979. I was the account rep for a major one-stop music distributor and was in charge of passing out promo LPs to our accounts. The cover of "International" by Cafe Jacques was intriguing enough I decided to take it home and give it a listen. I was blown away by it. No one I could find had ever heard of them and I didn't know that "Round The Back" even existed until years later. I found it at a used record shop and snatched it up immediately. Once again, I experienced the satisfaction one gets from hearing masterful songwriting and musicianship. When asked to describe their style, the first thing that comes to mind is.....Chris Rea meets Steely Dan. I can't believe this band was basically ignored. More evidence of how narrow minded the music and radio "biz" has always been. My list of favorite cuts on "Round The Back" is.........THE WHOLE CD!!!!! Not a bad cut to be found. The other reviews here say it much more eloquently than I ever could. All I can say is......Do yourself a favor and buy this CD. You won't be dissapointed."

Round the back and back to the front

sarrah groves | utah | 06/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first got the album in 1977 at OSU in stillwater Okla. import section. I was so blown away I listened to the album, wore it out and bought another. The other day, 20+ years later, I ran accross the old album cover with the record still inside, no way to play it, so I pop on line and am stunned to find the cd, much less other lovers of the art these guys produced. Makes you wish you could send them a hundred thousand fans and retroactive bennies. I can't beleive they never made it big in the US. If you ask me, I think this cd should be reintroduced as NEW. I absolutly recommend this to any one who loves real music, inovative music. It reminds me of the old Camel songs, like 'down on the farm' and 70's genisis trick of the tail album, long before collins took them on the pop am tour. Buy it! you won't ever regret going round the back with cafe jacques."

A Better Brew!

Tom Mitchell | Fall River, Wisconsin | 04/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With only two albums to their credit, Cafe Jacques is one of those 70s bands that came and went without fanfare but nevertheless left unique footprints in the sands of recorded music. A few bars into "Meaningless" are proof enough that these musicians have no intention of visiting the land of three chord riffs. Each track embodies a unique aural texture; an exotic box of chocolates for the ears. From the "Sands of Singapore" to "Eberehtel"(a play on words for "Let there be")and beyond, "Round The Back" refuses to readily comply with the standard 4/4 beat, thereby enabling a refreshing degree of sophistication to its compositions. "Crime Passionelle" is as intriguing as its title would suggest. No doubt this album is Cafe Jacques' showpiece. Their follow-up album "International" already hints at exhausting their unique talent. "Round The Back" is like a good cup of coffee. You'll want plenty of refills!"

Fine Wine

L Weiss | St. Paul, Minnesota | 02/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Upon "wish surfing" idly late one evening, I happened upon Cafe Jacques' "Round the Back." What a happy surprise!I picked up Cafe Jacques' other album, "International" twenty-odd years ago as a discount store 8-track tape, one of the "bargain bin" offerings. The nature of 8-track tapes in those days was to provide NO information on the artist(s) and, for years, I thought that Cafe Jacques was a just my private band, so to speak. Certainly, no one else I knew (in the USA) had ever heard of them. When the old 8-track was temporarily misplaced, some years ago, I even began to suspect that, somehow, I had made them up!Imagine my surprise then, twenty-odd years later, to find "Round the Back" by this wonderful group of expert musicians. What a treat! Each track on this collection has, as noted by contributing percussionist Phil Collins, its own identity. Like pictures at an exhibition, each work stands alone, has its own flavor. Each is a tightly woven tapestry of multiple parts; complex, yet, like fine wine, smooth, mellow and warm. The quality of the disc is very good, containing practically none of the annoying "noise" common on some re-masterings, but remaining clean and crisp, nonetheless.I truly hope that "International" will be released on CD at some time in the near future. Until then, "Round the Back" is a worthy addition to any music library and is heartily recommended. If you have never heard of Cafe Jacques, don't worry -- this recording will be a wonderful surprise gift to yourself!"

Search - Cafe Jacques :: Round the Back

CD Details

Similar CDs

CD Reviews