Spheroe

French late 1970's jazz-rock super-group.
Spheroe is a French jazz-rock/progressive group formed in 1972 in Lyon by Michel Perez (guitar), Gérard Maimone (keyboards), Patrick Garel (drums) and Rido Bayonne (bass), all excellent technicians of their instrument respectively. Spheroe is undoubtedly one of the best groups of the genre to have existed during the 70s but unfortunately, except in the restricted circle of fans of the genre, they has remained completely unknown to the general public. Since its formation, Spheroe has been primarily a live group which gave numerous concerts during the first five years of its existence. His first eponymous album, issued on the Cobra label, was not released until 1977; it was subsequently reissued on CD by Musea Records. Strongly influenced by groups like Return To Forever or Brand X, Spheroe plays very energetic and quite sharp jazz-rock-fusion with an impressive groove.The 2nd album "Primadonna" was released the following year. Furthermore, Spheroe composed and performed the music for two plays, “Palazzo Mentale” and “King Lear” at the request of George Lavaudant, French playwright, actor and theater director. In 1979 the group disbanded.

Gerard Maimone – electric piano, synthesizer (moog/Korg), vibraphone, piano
Michel Perez – guitars
Rido Dieudonné Bayonne – bass, percussion
Patrick “Cactus” Garel – drums, percussion, keyboards