MAGMA [AKA: KOBAÏA]

Magma's first album isn't "pure" Zeuhl. It is a Zeuhl prequel, a tribute to John Coltrane, but all the signs of something special and interesting are there. Although the story of the album was added retrospectively, years later, it goes something like this:

Disc 1 - In the age of space colonisation, Earth is pretty much falling apart. Ignored by their peers when they warn of this, a group builds a ship and leaves, seeking out a new home. Eventually they arrive on the planet Kobaia. The new society on this planet is initially harmonious, with technology advancing rapidly. All is well.

Disc 2 - A struggling spaceship arrives at Kobaia, turns out it's from earth. Its crew tell of the continued deterioration of Earth and are impressed at the development made in the new society and its philosophy. The Earth crew convince some Kobaians to visit Earth and provide teachings in order to save their planet. To be continued....

So, to the music itself - as said, for 'proper' Zeuhl, skip ahead to MDK. This is far more accessible, semi-improvised jazz fusion, but with the yodelling vocal style that would be synonymous with the genre. Christian Vander's drumming in particular is incredibly skilful, particularly given he was only 23 at the time. Even today, the album sounds modern and futuristic, despite it being recorded over 50 years ago.

The opening title track hints at elements like the dystopian chanting, falsetto, and free saxophone that would be key features of later albums. The next series of tracks are the tale of trips to other planets, all driven by Vander's drumming and some off-key trumpeting. Sckxyss gives a 'debut' to the operatic singing style of Klaus Blasquiz that would also be a key component later on for Magma. Aurae, the final track of disc 1, has an important flute section which is quite dream-like, signifying the arrival on the new planet. Triumphant chanting follows on and the track builds to a final crescendo, ending this early phase of life on Kobaia.

Thaud Zaia is perhaps the most 'Magma-like' track on the album, much slower marching beat and minor key chanting to go with. The next track interestingly seems to start with a campfire style acoustic guitar session, before a rollicking guitar riff takes over. It's a long track, almost Santana-like in the latter stages. Perhaps this is the point where the Earth ship arrives, as the next track Stoah begins with a shrieking Kobaian monologue, and once the music kicks in it seems very much like a call to arms, a return to the military beat and chanting that would be a Magma trope. Perhaps an argument over what to do with the "invaders" that are disrupting the harmony, before ultimately a group is convinced to travel back to earth. This argument appears to carry all the way into the final track Muh, rising and falling in its tempo as the group prepares to leave for earth.

Its not everyone's cup of tea, but definitely needs giving a listen with the context of the story, if anything just to appreciate how one man could have invented an entire genre of music all on his own.