Sandrose

French early 70s progressive rock band with female English vocals.
After a failed stint as Eden Rose, the various members of that ensemble, led by guitarist Jean-Pierre Alarcen, decided to try a new approach. Their first move was to add a singer. Alarcen had been struck by the vocal of Rose Podwojny (later to become foxy pop sensation Rose Laurens) on a William Sheller demo, and roped her into the band, which was renamed Sandrose. They started rehearsals and rapidly built a repertoire, mainly Alarcen compositions. Strongly influenced by both classical symphonic music and rock and roll; his goal was to combine both musical styles. The resulting album is something special. On their sole release (Polydor 1972) Sandrose play a superb mellow progressive rock based on the continuous floating sounds of the mellotron, incisive guitar interventions by Alarcen and singer Rose Podwojny’s powerful, clear voice. Sandrose's album is considered as one of the top 5 French progressive album of all time. Disbanded in 1973.

Rose Podwojny / vocals
Jean-Pierre Alarcen / guitar
Henri Garella / organ, Mellotron
Christian Clairefond / bass
Michel Jullien / drums, percussio