![]() 4.00 | 5 ratings | 20% 5 stars
|
Studio Album, released in 1977 Songs / Tracks Listing 1. Merci Jacky Search ZAO Typhareth lyrics Music tabs (tablatures)Search ZAO Typhareth tabs Line-up / Musicians- François'Faton'Cahen / piano, electric piano, synthesizers LP RCA Balance PL 37121 (1977) / CD Musea 4146 (2001) Thanks to ProgLucky for the additionand to Geck0 for the last updates Edit this entry |
| How to submit new MP3s
![]() | Typhareth Import Musea Records France (Audio CD 2001) | $135.19 |
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(20%)
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(60%)
Good, but non-essential (20%)
Collectors/fans only (0%)
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
Zao started out as an exciting Jazz-Rock ensemble featuring Yochk'o Seffer and Francois
Cahen, Sax and Keyboards respectively, both from an early line-up of French Zeuhl band
Magma (during their '1001 Degrees Centigrades' release). The music of their debut album,
Z=7L, wasn't a far cry from the early Magma idealism - obscure jazz-rock with that 'other
worldly' twist to it and weird vocalizings. This 1977 release, Typhareth, is quite a good
album (contrary to popular belief), but its Zeuhl stylings are completely absent, and it has
a slightly 'mainstream' sound that is closer to Weather Report (circa Mysterious Traveller)
than their own previous album. Another loss is Yochk'o, which is sad, as he was the
stronger composer IMO. Typhareth sees Cahen joined by Trombonist Hamid Belhocine,
Francois Debricon (sax/flute), Michel Seguin (perc.) bassist Gerard Prevost (since their 3rd
release, Shekina) and obviously a young Manu Katche on the Drumkit. This is the earliest
recording of Manu I know of... Onto the music ; album opener 'Merci Jacky' is superb,
with a laid-back groove of drums and perc. with some tasty flanged-bass playing from
Prevost, the ever-present Rhodes Electric piano, and then the horn section kicks in. About
midway the tempo changes with some great riffing and a really good Trombone lead steals
the show, then the band just jams out until the 7 min+ mark. Title track, all 12 and a half
minutes of it, is a beautiful, slow, relaxing groove that just oozes along with ease, maybe
too slow for some, but it's all over too soon for me. Side 2, now this is a bit confusing as
the song timings on the record label (RCA) don't match up with the tracks on the vinyl,
therefore, do the titles correspond correctly with the track being played and it's incorrect
timing ??? Anyway, judging by the song names, I'd say the first track is 'Le Temps
Changent', and it's a weaker, shorter track, which is funky, but tries too hard to
sound 'hip', and almost is a commercially viable venture. 'Binah' is another mellow, jazzy
tune, similar in mood to the title track, very tastefully played for sure. The last track, the
lengthy 'Troupeau de Bisons sous Un Crane' is a jammy track full of brass and e-piano,
funky at times but has a kind of 'lounge' vibe to it. Overall, I rate it as 4 (all other Zao
releases I say are masterpieces, but in all fairness, I am no authority of what is a brilliant
release or not, due to my bias), as it is an excellent addition to your collection if can obtain
a copy, and that's also if you 'do jazz' , if you don't, then it's a waste of your time.
As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.
You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).
Send comments to Tom Ozric
(BETA) | Report this review (#96713) | Review Permalink
Posted Thursday, November 02, 2006
This is the only ZAO record not to have the dynamic duo of Cahen and Seffer on it,as Seffer left to go solo
after the very successful Kawana album.Lockwood and Truong would also leave meaning that only
Cahen and Prevost are left from the "Kawana" lineup.Cahen would be responsible for all the music and
arrangements on this album.All traces of zeuhl are gone,in fact this is a fairly light jazz record.It's so much
more though as i found out.There are so many intricate sounds to enjoy and lots of variety as well.This
was just a pleasure to listen to.
"Merci Jacky" opens with percussion and keys as bass comes in.The bass becomes quite prominant with
Prevost offering up some flanged-bass playing as Tom Ozric already mentioned in his review.The keys
start to stand out after 2 minutes.Sax before 3 minutes and guitar a minute after that.I love the sound 3
minutes in and later at 5 1/2 minutes in.The sax is blasting away before 5 minutes.So many intricate
sounds and the band interplay is pretty amazing. "Typhareth(Beaute)" opens with some atmosphere until
we start to get a reserved melody of drums,keys and bass.Flute arrives before 2 minutes as we get such a
beautiful melody.The sound is building slowly.Sax and trombone after 4 minutes.Just a gorgeous song that
is as smooth as glass. "Troupeau De Bisons Sous Un Crane" opens with percussion and clapping as
drums,bass and horns come in.This is a fun,uplifting song to brighten your day.So many intricate sounds
flood the soundscape. "Binah(Comprehension Feminine)" is a heavenly song featuring piano and flute.Sax
after 3 minutes. "Les Temps Changent" opens with the sounds of a party going on as percussion and keys
play.Sax comes in as the party sounds leave.Check out the piano as bass and drums play on.Amazing
sound! These guys are cooking.I just realized i'm head banging to a jazz tune.Whoa! Some screaming sax
6 1/2 minutes in.
Like Tom Ozric, i love this band and feel that this is a solid 4 star record.A must for jazz fans out there.
As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.
You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).
Send comments to sinkadotentree
(BETA) | Report this review (#161227) | Review Permalink
Posted Friday, February 08, 2008
You must be a forum member to post a review, please register here if you are not.
As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.
You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).
Copyright © Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise
| GeoIP Services by MaxMind