Mona Lisa came from Orléans, France, and followed in the footsteps of countrymate Ange with their so-called "rock theatre:" a uniquely French style of progressive rock inspired by Genesis. A debut album L'Escapade, produced by Ange guitarist Jean-Michel Brézovar, was released by the Arcane label in 1974; but the following year's Grimaces showed progress. By their third album, the band had coalesced into a lineup of guitarist Pascal Jardon, keyboardist Jean-Paul Pierson, bassist Jean-Luc Martin, drummer Francis Poulet and vocalist Dominique Le Guennec.

Forming in 1972, Atoll hailed from Metz, France, and was built around the trio of guitarist Luc Serra, bassist Jean-Luc Thillot and drummer Alain Gozzo. One of France's early proponents of rock progressif, Atoll's debut single from late 1973, "Je T'Aime Quand Je Te Vois" b/w "Change Ta Vie" sold quite well; and after a few changes in personnel, they released Musiciens-Magiciens in late 1974.

Hailing from Nice, France, Shylock formed in 1974, combining the talents of keyboardist Didier Lustig, drummer André Fisichella and guitarist Frédéric L'Épée. The band then retreated to a church in the Maralpin town of St-Dalmas-le-Selvage to write and rehearse. Early compositions were named sequentially, and later evidenced by the titles on their debut album, Gialorgues (named after a valley in St. Dalmas). The band self-released the instrumental album in 1976, printing a reputed 1000 copies; however, CBS subsequently signed the band and re-released the album in early 1977.