MAGMA [AKA: KOBAÏA]

I am actually lost for words. Not since Soft Machine's Third have I been so lost for words as I am now. I am also new to both Magma and Zeuhl, with only a Magma single and Dun as my only Zeuhl experiences. I am therefore a newbie in this. Please be patient......

Zeuhl......... what the holy camel does this mean ? I will soon find out. Back to this album.

This album has it's basis in fusion......... I believe. It has one leg in fusion. The opening title track is pretty much a fusion track with some strange off kilter sounds and vocals added. Then the music turns into a landscape with flutes, off-this-planet vocals, various woodwind instruments and marching drums. The music is also surprisingly pastoral. The last song on disc 1, Auraë, is actually a very beautiful pastoral song. It almost takes the shape of a hymn from a Catholic mass. Some other parts of this album has some straight forward jazz and prog folk elements.

In as few words as possible; this album is a mix of jazz, fusion, prog folk, staccato classical music, avant-garde jazz and religious hymns. This is a heck of a mouthful for a novice to swallow.

I am totally new to this experience and my eyebrows has become an integral part of my receding hairline during my almost twenty listening sessions to this album over three weeks. So I am perhaps too intrigued and shocked to really be able to make up my mind about the quality of this album. But I think the music here is really good. Not outstanding, but good. This album has absolutely made me more interested in both Magma and Zeuhl in general. I guess three and a half star has to suffice for now. I may come back and add another half a star in the years to come.

3.5 stars

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