NEFFESH MUSIC: DÉLIRE

It's a little easier to piece together Yochk'o Seffer's early work with streaming services now available. Sadly though on Spotify I've only tracked down four of six tracks on this album, but at least its the four longest ones.

Seffer didn't quite leave Zao behind here, the excellent drumming of JM Truong is present, although a lot more minimal than in Zao and only on a couple of tracks. There's also no bass guitar, and much of the album does just feel like a jamming session for Seffer on his sax - it is essentially a solo album after all.

Heart is mostly a free jazz number, with Seffer competing with himself - sax vs moog, and Truong just setting the pace on drums. Its not bad, but doesn't really go anywhere. Jonetsu for Judith is a much better example of Seffer's real technical ability on all instruments, and the jarring piano chords do give you a hint of the Zeuhl influence still being there. A background of string rather than drums adds to the eerie nature of this track which is probably my favourite. Orkana is back to the chaotic jamming session but this time mainly moog over Truong's drumming. Unfortunately I haven't been able to listen to Streledzia or Ima, but Delire, a lengthy 13 minute track is another jarring chaotic jam in the first half, with a minimal string piece in the second. Not much going on for me.

If you like jazz jamming dive in, if you like technical saxophone with a hint of Zeuhl listen to Jonetsu for Judith. And yes, admittedly two short tracks I have no access to. But still, didn't hear much to consider it essential.