K.A (KÖHNTARKÖSZ ANTERIA)

I have had the pleasure of spending 2 weeks with this cd while on vacation in Florida recently. As I write this review it is the highest rated MAGMA studio album on this site, and while that does surprise me there's no denying that this is an excellent record. There are 5 vocalists including Stella & Christian Vander, 2 keyboardists, MacGaw on lead guitar and Bussonnet on bass.

"K.A I" is led by multi-vocals and keys for the first minute then bass and drums join in followed by guitar. This song gets pretty intense vocally.Guitar returns 8 1/2 minutes in. Amazing track. "K.A II" opens with dramatic vocals and the song kicks in at 1 1/2 minutes. The female vocals are fantastic. It calms down after 4 minutes then the guitar comes in soloing. On a MAGMA RECORD ? Yes it does. The tempo continues to shift and change as it picks up after 6 minutes. I like the male and female vocal interplay. More guitar after 7 minutes as it comes and goes. Another calm 9 minutes in. More guitar after 11 1/2 minutes as vocals and intensity rise and fall for the next 3 minutes.Incredible tune. Each track gets longer and for me better.

"K.A III" opens with 9 minutes of pure bliss for me. My favourite section of the album. This is subdued yet jazzy, and I love the bass lines as keys play along. Female vocals join in on this melody 3 minutes in. Vander is so precise on the drums throughout this section. Amazing drum work. I just love the vibe, the mood of this passage. Unfortunately it does have to end. It changes 9 minutes in as eventually the guitar and bass shine as Vander pounds away. There is a great vocal / bass / drum section 13 minutes in. Bussonnett is a monster here for the first time reminding me of Mr.Top briefly. Christian takes the lead on vocals and guitar joins him. It starts to become intense again both vocally and instrumentally with a lot of hallelujahs shouted out. It finally calms down 19 1/2 minutes in as the bass lines with drums and hallelujahs continue.

Sure the majority of this record was composed back in the seventies, but this is one of the great comeback stories in music. This is essential for Zeuhl and MAGMA fans.