“ I think that everyone who loved hurdy gurdy must listen this record. Stephane Durand, hurdy-gurdy player wrote me in a letter : "On the cd there's no electric guitar you know, it's only my hurdy-gurdy ...". I must say, that i'm very surprised. But if you listen very precisely, you can tell, that this instrument really doesn't sound like the electric guitar.

Beside overdrived hurdy-gurdy, there is also much pieces with clean tones. This, and also other music instruments construct very art-folk-rock sound. I think, that one of sources for Cosmic Drone's inspiration may be English group Jethro Tull, but the musicians may not consent me.

Almost all compositions was writen by Stephane. There is funny dances (like "Orokhan" for example), but also more ambience tunes (like "Cosmic Drone" or "St. Denis en Valse").

Folk music elements it's not only one music, that inspired Stephane Durand in his compositions and arrangements. I think, that musicians from Cosmic Drone like also jazz and probably little funky (there is so much 'broken' rythms).

Begining of "La Belle Etoile" sounds like church-organ theme, whole tune is also very pathetic.

"L'Arrogante" (and their amazing mix) takes hurdy-gurdy into 21st Century. There is a fusion of minor dance melody and a little bit of electronic, and it's give very successful result.

I can recommend "Cosmic Drone" CD for everyone who like celtic music, jazz-folk and art-rock, but in first place for everyone who want to listen mastery hurdy-gurdy playing.”

Rafal “Taclem” Chojnacki,

journalist in Poland www.folkowa.art.pl