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Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Plus - Plus (1973-74 belgium, impressive jazz funk with a solid blues rock tint, 2019 bonus tracks remaster)



Often referred to as Bruno Castellucci’s band, Plus’ music was slightly more rock-infused than his work on Placebo and Solis Lacus, most of the tracks on their first and only album – 1972’s self-titled Plus – edging ever so subtly towards fusion funk and prog-rock territory. Featuring Francis Goya (Francis Weyer) on guitar and vocals, Douglas Lucas (who played with The J.J. Band, The S.S.O Orchestra as well as pan-European touring outfit Mombassa) on trumpets as well as Ralph Benatar (also of The J.J. Band) on guitar, this one’s a bit of a holy grail amongst connoisseurs.

Castellucci’s name circulates not only on the entire European jazz scene as a reliable and professional drummer for live concerts but he is also a very sought-after studio musician.

He is still active as a teacher and he is not yet prepared to miss the stage for anything in the world. As a matter of fact, he will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of his career along with a few fellow musicians.

Francis Goya (Francis Weyer) born of musician parents in the city of Liege (Belgium). He receives his first guitar at the age of 13 and takes guitar lessons over a one year period to become a true auto dictate. At the age of 16, he forms his first rock band with his brother and a few friends, "The Jivaros". In 1970, Francis is taken on by a professional soul band, "The J.J.Band", With whom he tours Europe and Africa. Their second album is produced by Brian Bennet (The Shadows) for CBS International in London. Thanks to all this he becomes a studio guitarist, accompanying various artists on the international scene, Demis Roussos, Three Degrees, Barry White, Vicky Leandros.
Tracks
1. The Search (Ralph Benatar, Douglas Lucas) - 4:45
2. Gimme Some More Of That (Yvan De Souter, Douglas Lucas) - 4:35
3. What Did You Do (Francis Weyer, Douglas Lucas) - 11:21
4. Open Letter (Leslie Kent, Douglas Lucas) - 7:00
5. Put Everything Together (Leslie Kent, Douglas Lucas) - 3:16
6. Enjoy Yourself (Douglas Lucas) - 8:25
7. Kentucky Woman (Francis Weyer, Alan Ward) - 2:45
8. Changing (Mike Butcher, Leslie Kent) - 3:28

Plus
*Bruno Castellucci - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
*Francis Weyer - Guitar, Vocals
*Leslie Kent - Guitar, Vocals
*Yvan De Souter - Bass
*Douglas Lucas - Flugelhorn, Trumpet
*Ralph Benatar - Tenor Saxophone
*Mike Lovell - Trombone

Related Acts
1968-69  Jess And James​ -​ Jess And James (2010 remaster) 
1968-70  The J.J.Band - The J.J.Band (2009 digipak remaster) 

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