Singer Christian Decamps (of Ange fame) delivered with Nu a very strong record. Even though it's been released by the 1990s progressive rock label Musea, Nu is really a rock album with a passing fondness for progressive stylings, although it is closer to vintage Ange than anything from the band's 1980s output. Decamps penned all lyrics and music, except for one song signed Tristan Decamps, his son, who also sings and plays keyboards on a few tracks, hence the album being billed as Christian Decamps et Fils (and son). Lyrics tell tales of old times and more recent urban legends. Decamps was and always will be a storyteller. Arrangements were left to guitarist Jean-Pascal Boffo who did a great job, putting violin and cello on some tracks, using keyboards and guitars to give a few songs the kind of body classic Ange favored. Decamps is in great shape and puts his heart in his singing. Highlights include "L'Héritage," the story of a man splitting his belongings between his three sons, the neo-prog "Pierrot, la Lune a Soif" and the beautiful spacy number "Paysans et Cosmonautes." Even though Decamps has been putting out albums on a regular basis with or without Ange since the early '70s, it is easy to understand why Nu was perceived as a comeback. Its vitality makes up for a number of bland discs previously released. ~ François Couture, All Music Guide
Spanish rock band Nu started playing in 1975, led by singer/songwriter Juan Carlos Molina. After signing with Beverly Records, the foursome participated in a local compilation, soon moving to the independent Chapa label and recording their debut album, Cuentos de Ayer y de Hoy. The lineup consisted of Enrique Ballesteros on drums, Jose Maria Garcia on guitar, Fracois Andre on violin, and Jorge Calvo on bass. Later, guitarist Eduardo Pinilla replaced Jose Maria Garcia and drummer Raul Garrido took Enrique Ballesteros' place, recording 1980's A Golpe de Latigo, followed by 1983's Fuego, which featured the hit "Mas Duro Que Nunca." In 1984, with Alejandro Colantonio on drums and Jose Luis Ajenjo on bass, Nu recorded Acorralado Por Ti, produced by Robin Black. On February 7 and 8, 1986, live performances at Madrid's Sala Canciller were recorded and later released as No Hay Ningun Loco. A second live album was made at the same venue on April 24, 1992. In 2000, Nu celebrated their 25th anniversary with a limited edition of an unplugged show recorded in 1998, an album called Cuatro Gatos, and a greatest-hits compilation, Coleccion. ~ Drago Bonacich, All Music Guide
