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When you think of Gabriel YACOUB, you think of the founder, voice and soul of the innovative French folk group MALICORNE. YACOUB first came to the fore as teenage back-up guitarist and singer with Brittany's pioneering Celtic harpist Alan STIVELL in the early 1970s. Stivell's blend of rock and the old world inspired YACOUB to form a band that was soon to become a landmark in contemporary French music. Unearthing some of France's finest jewels from its own traditional music, MALICORNE offered us their remarkably fresh approach, and succeeded in bringing this music into the limelight at a time when the rest of France was looking to America for its inspiration.

MALICORNE revived the magic of what some today call "world music" by integrating currently popular instruments with crumhorns, bagpipes, hurdy-gurdies, and mandocellos. Their trademark, however, was the originality of their stunning vocal arrangements, transforming well-chosen traditional and medieval ballads, through unusual and powerful voicings, into modern songs relevant to our times. All of these sounds combined with the group's innovative use of recording techniques available at the time, made them unique on yet another level, leading them to spearhead the international "folk revival" with music that still fascinates today. For ten years, MALICORNE's creativity captured the public's imagination worldwide. They were awarded three gold records as well as the coveted Grand Prix de L'Académie du Disque Français presented by the French music industry for musical importance and quality.

Yet YACOUB did not stop there. With MALICORNE at Its height, he launched a solo career, and developcd his own musical personality though still drawing on his traditional background. His first solo album,TRAD. ARR., shows his taste for new textures and interpretations on a more personal level. However, his 1986 album Elementary Levels of Faith (E.L.F.), in collaboration with Hungarian composer Ivan LANTOS from "Kolinda" and New York singer-keyboardist Nikki MATHESON marks a real departure for YACOUB. A collection of entirely original material, this experimental record was compared to the likes of Laurie Anderson, winning great acclaim for its far-reaching technological and emotional qualities refined by his stamp of warmth and intimacy. YACOUB returned to his acoustic roots with BEL in 1990, which has become a classic in its genre. Here, the emotional strength and richness of his writing and vocals is subtly underscored by artfully arranged string quartets, bagpipes and guitar.

The future holds even more surprises in store. Ever innovative, YACOUB is on the move again with his latest release but one, Quatre, which was hailed as his most perfectly crafted work to date. Lyrics, melodies and once again superb arrangements reflect the immense experience of fourteen albums and countless influences until now -"a labyrinth that reveals more beautiful landscape at every turn."

In concert, YACOUB leads you on a graceful journey of magical melodies, singing and guitar arrangements, with stopovers for witty song introductions in both French and English. Since 1982, his solo tours have taken him to over 600 American, Canadian, and Europan venues&endash;a remarkable testimony to this musician's stage presence. YACOUB is on the road again.

"Gabriel YACOUB holds all the winning cards. The music and lyrics are now his own. As poignant as the Anglo hit 'trio' (Bono, Sting and Peter Gabriel), YACOUB has found his second wind, if not his first... A magnificent marriage of innovation, tradition, and humanity." [Jean-Marie Leduc]

"Yacoub is an elegant singer with a close connection to musicality... France intellectual folk? ...an ethno-traveler? ...the sensitivity comes right to the surface... the arrangements play on the blending of genres, and set the lyrics free to follow the wind" [Le Monde ]

"a beautiful synthesis of everything songs can say...a spirituality that isn't expressed simply through vague words, but through images that transport you to a world of dreams and passion... the melodic and harmonic weavings create an atmosphere both familiar and strangely captivating... this synthesis has nothing artificial to it... more enchanting with every listening" [Télérama ]

"Yacoub treats us to a discriminating album where he appears to be a sort of French Peter Gabriel...this collection of songs emanate from pure intelligence [Le Nouveau Politis ]

"Gabriel Yacoub has a voice that is immediately recognizable, clear diction and a deep sense of vocal harmony... a refined interpreter who can demonstrate incredible boldness at times" [L'Evénement du jeudi ]

"Yacoub is a monument, though one that is constantly moving forward and perpetually evolving... 'acoustically romantic'... Gabriel Yacoub flies above our heads, on a magic carpet.... always surprising us, he makes us look up in wonder everytime he offers us his dreams" [Trad Magazine ]

"Gabriel Yacoub ... legendary inventor of French "world music" [L'Affiche ]

"Gabriel Yacoub forges ahead into the 21st century with a "world music" that has found its roots and artfully combines them with new sources emerging from pure creation" [ Tempo Magazine ]

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