LIVE/HHAÏ (KÖHNTARK)

Issued in various forms - make sure you don't get the edition with the truncated track list - Magma's Live/Hhai shows the full group on top form, right at the peak of their most fertile progressive phase. With long extracts from Kohntarkosz and Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh, hints of what would become Emehnteht-Re, a funky fusion throwback to their debut and a single original composition (Lihns), the album offers a compelling and intense tour through Magma's sonic universe. Others have already extensively sung its praises, but I want to go out of my way to praise the violin playing of Didier Lockwood, which stands out amongst the many fine instrumental performances here as being particularly noteworthy. Simply put, Live/Hhai is the first stop on any exploration of Magma's live side, and should be at the top of any Zeuhl shopping list.