DOCUMENT 1973 - LE MANOR

Improvisation, percussion, all covered by a Magma-esque feel. It is not essential. But I wouldn't deem it for collectors only, since it is something so different and outstanding in its own sense. I'll proceed to make my argument. Also, first review for me here. I've been a constant visitor of Progarchives for the past 7 years or so. But never found something where I considered my first review to be of importance. Hence this rare album being the subject of it.

This extended improvisation is something that not everyone is going to appreciate. It's is Magma's most raw and violent display of expression, with no clear line defined musically, neither melodically nor rhythmically. But I find it interesting and appealing, if you are particularly fond of improvisational jazz. Especially one where screams, B horror movies' howling and lots of percussive jamming are most prominent; then you'll really like this. It is a very experimental piece. The bass clarinet, which I thought was a sax at first, also contributes towards the cacophonous and quasi atonally dissonant atmosphere that this 70 minute percussive madness has to offer. Towards the last half hour, the organ starts to play a larger role in the background thread of music, that helps keep together the concatenation of drums and percussion, along with the howls, hollers and bellows that appear every now and then. The ending section is an interesting (or curious) repetitive, mantra-like sounds and rhythms that ends on a rhythmic drummed crescendo that fades out really quickly.

It is a wonderful piece, in its crazy improvisational anything-goes sense. It is different and daring. A challenge to listen to, and not one that may give out its rewards the moment you finish it. it is quite a journey, and I like imagining Christian Vader and Co. as they were performing the jam. How fun it must have been to do this kind of thing, and have people listen to you.

In conclusion, this is definitely not the place to start listening to Magma or any of the artists related to this. It is something different. And should be listened as that. Good, but non-essential seems appropriate, since it is a unique piece of musical history, but it isn't "prog" in the idealized sense that this site promotes. As with anything though, musical taste and open mindedness will determine everything. Enjoy the ride. I know I did.

Se recomienda escucharlo mientras se toma mate. (Drinking a good mate while listening to it, helps).

This actually isn't that bad considering it's one long 70 minute improv. Vander, Blasquiz, Garber and Top decided to record this in their hotel room the night after finishing "MDK" in studio. It was April 15, 1973. The hotel was called The Manor and it's in England. So here they are at 1am and I'm sure in good spirits with all four adding vocals and percussion. Vander adds drums, Garber bass clarinet and Top the organ. And that's it. This is a mellow improv with really only a couple of sections I'd call loud but this isn't noisy.

The early 20 plus minutes are vocal expressions and percussions and it's kind of haunting at times. It's almost silent 42 minutes in due to either a session or a refill me thinks. Some life with beats and bass clarinet 45 minutes in. The bass clarinet sure can get annoying with Garber's style at times. Just relentless and samey. It gets loud with organ, bass clarinet and vocals a couple of different times before we get back to that earlier sound before 55 minutes that is percussion and vocal expressions and quite haunting. Different sounds come and go late before it becomes vocals and percussion again to the end.

I actually liked this. They certainly were an inspiring band at this time even with improvs.