Je Suis Le Temps is probably the most commercial sounding of the three ProgQuébec reissues from Morse Code, but it also had the unfortunate distinction of being a make or break record for the band. While the group's first two albums faired well critically, the truth of the matter was that they didn't come anywhere close to selling higher than five figures, which is not bad, but considering the band was performing almost exclusively within the French language market, their options were considerably limited. As an incentive to help the band attempt to try to capture the international market, Capitol Records sent the band to the England in the hopes that their high quality sound techniques would rub off on the group. Capitol still had high hopes for the group and the plan down the road was that the group would eventually record an album in English. With a three week deadline to get it done, keyboardist / vocalist Christian Simard was given the responsibility of co-producing and coming up with the enough material to make up the album. Where the band had primarily sought outside lyrical collaborators for their first two albums, Simard was to play a larger role on this all important record, and he came through in fine fashion. The sound and arrangements are a bit more muscular as they go for more of a harder rock sound in places, particularrily on the tracks "C'est Déjà Du Passé" and the smoking title track which clocks in at just over seven minutes. Once again proving just how versatile Morse Code was, their mixture of hard and progressive rock never clashed with the groups softer side which is exemplified on two stellar compositions "Sommeil" and "Magie De Musique". Once again the record company wanted the requisite disco number so Simard delivered the bouncy instrumental "Picadilly Circus" in an attempt to hit the charts.
When Je Suis Le Temps was released in the fall of 1977 the province of Québec like all of North America was already being infested by a musical plague known as disco which did not bode well for the band or the climate of rock in general. As most of the rock clubs were turning into disco's the band not only ran out of money but also places to play and by the end of the year they had no choice but to disband. All of the musicians being as talented as they were did not stay out of work for long and Je Suis Le Temps stands as one of their finest creations.
Note: The English album came in the form of the Code Breaker album in 1983, which saw the band tour the province in support of super group Asia. Unfortunately the reunion did not include Simard and was largely considered a flop. In 1995 the original members of this classic lineup minus drummer Raymond Roy issued one final album D'un Autre Monde before packing it in. These three successful re-issues will bring back musical memories for many but perhaps it could also be the catalyst for Morse Code to give it one more shot. Let's hope so.
Track Listing
1) C'est Déjà Du Passé
2) La Réalité
3) Berceuses
4) Chevaliers D'un Régne
5) Picadilly Circus
6) Sommeil
7) Je Suis Le Temps
8) Magie De Musique
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