Some Magma for your Wednesday
-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
. . . because I just felt like playing something different.
This is from their second album, 1,001 Degrees Centigrade. It's from 1970, and marks the beginning of a significant shift in their sound. While the first album was very, very jazzy, this album turns more towards the traditional "zeuhl" sound--driving bass, chanting, that sort of thing. The jazz sound is still very prominent, but not as much so.
In subsequent albums the jazz feel would be suppressed even more as the more militant-sounding aspects of zeuhl were brought to the front. One great thing about this album is that that the longer song form is achieved (three songs for the entire album) without what would become one of Christian Vander's most often-usedl songwriting tools in later years: repetition. While Magma used repetition quite liberally to acheive a supreme build-ups of energy in their music, this album does not rely on repetition near as much, providing a more fertile playground of song ideas. It's a rather unique album in their catalogue, and one I thing I should be listening to more.
Comments (14)
would like to hear it but somethings not working today. I have been listening to some other jazz influenced bands of the early seventies.
got no button love here either :-(
huh. Let's try this:
there ya go - sueeeet!
Can someone tell me what "zeuhl" is? I know you've all been wanting to ask but were afraid you'd reveal your ignorance. I however, don't mind being considered as an ignoramus in such things.
IRF, that mean you like it?
John, "zeuhl" is a sub-genre of prog that was started by these guys back in the 60s and 70s. It tends to have drum-and-bass heavy songs with chanting-esque vocals. Sometimes in made-up langauges (as is the case with Magma). I describe it as "militant opera." It's definitey one of the stranger styles of prog out there, but one of my favorite. Back when I did my series of "prog lecture" posts I did a couple about zeuhl.
This was about it's early days: http://mog.com/Groon/blog/129393
And this was about zeuhl in the modern musical scene: http://mog.com/Groon/blog/129742
since the recent switchover, I don't think all the links are working, but it should be a basic primer for you.
I like, I like!
Love the jazz undertones
I've heard similar stuff by some very interesting avant garde jazz playas and when I get back to the monastery, I'll have to do some research.
All in all, a very nice listen
I'm glad! Like I said, later albums saw the jazz influence drop a bit, although it was always there below the surface. The drummer, who is the "brains" behind the group, is a huge Coltrane fan, and that has a lot ot do with their overall sound.
I'm trying Chuck, I really am. but it's not hitting me in the right spot tonight.Wait a minute. I don't mind it when the vocals kick in.
I'll check out your history posts though.
It's the effort I appreciate. If it's the jazziness that's getting to you, checking out some of their later stuff might work, when you're up for it. I didn't really post any great stuff on that zeuhl post, because of the fact that most all of their stuff is way over the size limit.
I think it IS the jazziness. Of the more common genres, when I compare Blues to Jazz (remember when there were three?) I'm more of a blues guy.
But I'm definitely open.
Ah yes, I remember these guys from your zeuhl posts. Groovy little track.
thanks, this summer I have been really getting into this whole genre of prog that I haven't listened to in years.
this has some grooves! I like the jazz work here, and I especially enjoyed the part around and after 3minutes when all the horns started getting fired up. goes well with my coffee