Zeuhl 5

I'm pretty sure he is on our cleared artist list, I know I voted yes for the addition. So I don't see a problem with this. 

This must have been discussed before, but what do people think of Bernard Paganotti's Paga? See Ground and Sky Review: CLICK

Bernard Paganotti is my personal favorite Zeuhl bassist, and Paga shows him in top form.  Very similar to Weidorje, only a bit more jazzy.  

Is this any good?

Jannick Top (aka Jannik, Janik, etc.) was born in Marseille, but moved to Paris after a classical Russian education in piano, cello and the more theoretical side of music, becoming acquainted with many jazz-oriented musicians and recording an album with Troc before joining Magma in 1973. As the Wahrgenuhr, he helped solidify the zeuhl sound both by contributing his unique bass techniques - the trademark heavy distortion, played on a bass guitar tuned as you would a cello - and through compositions of his own, including the cult song "De Futura". Although his tenure with Magma was relatively brief (staying from May '73 until Oct '74, and then returning to record and embark on one last tour) his legacy is stamped all over Zeuhl and continues to influence bands from around the world.

Following his departure, Jannick recorded an album with the band Speed Limit, a band made up mostly of Magma alumni and in a similar jazz-rock style. When that project didn't last, he became a sessionist, working his way up the ladder of recognition and eventually recording for various well-known names. Although his musical concerns have taken a turn towards the commercial, Jannick Top has recently guested with Magma, as recorded on Mythes Et Légendes, Volume II.

The compilation album, "Soleil d'Ork" is a collection of his solo work recorded between 1974 and '80, some tracks being in collaboration with fellow Magma musicians and other important members of the Paris scene such as Richard Pinhas. The whole album retains a very Kobaian flavour and would be of interest to fans of the Zeuhl movement.

Jannick Top owns and runs Utopic Records and maintains an archive of Magma bootlegs.

::

also I've heard Paga's "Gnosis" and I thought it was fun. Reminded me more of Zao than anything, ala being more jazz-rock than zeuhl-ish. certainly of a high quality.


Edited by laplace - August 08 2007 at 06:46

What about related projects (Vander Top & Utopic sporadic orchestra...)? These may as well be listed under Magma, since most of the players constitute nothing but Magma lineup of the time!!!... Should there be another entry?

Rocktopus wrote: How about composer/keyboardist Jean-Philippe Goude? He also played in  Weidorje, as well as with Richard Pinhas ... Jeunes Annees with percussionist Olivier Cole. A fantastic, synthy-zeuhlalbum! Kind of Weidorje sounding, and its made in '75! I might prefer that and his soloalbum Drones from '80 to Paga Group, although I guess nothing is as amazing as Une parcelle d'Urantia. (Patrick Gauthier's Bébé Godzilla is also excellent)...

I'm not as keen on Bebe Godzilla, and have yet to hear Drones, but Jeunes Annees is excellent.

 

I really wish they'd recorded a studio version of Theusz Hamtaahk, as the version on Retrospektiw I-II is amazing.  It's my favourite Magma track so far.

I hear they do this track live still, so I can only hope they'll record in the studio one day.


Edited by Geck0 - August 15 2007 at 19:53

rileydog22 wrote: Anyway, I've got a quick Magma question for the group here: Are Lisa Bois and Lisa Deluxe the same person?

laplace wrote: Is this any good? Jannick Top (aka Jannik, Janik, etc.) was born in Marseille, but moved to Paris after a classical Russian education in piano, cello and the more theoretical side of music, becoming acquainted with many jazz-oriented musicians and recording an album with Troc before joining Magma in 1973. As the Wahrgenuhr, he helped solidify the zeuhl sound both by contributing his unique bass techniques - the trademark heavy distortion, played on a bass guitar tuned as you would a cello - and through compositions of his own, including the cult song "De Futura". Although his tenure with Magma was relatively brief (staying from May '73 until Oct '74, and then returning to record and embark on one last tour) his legacy is stamped all over Zeuhl and continues to influence bands from around the world. Following his departure, Jannick recorded an album with the band Speed Limit, a band made up mostly of Magma alumni and in a similar jazz-rock style. When that project didn't last, he became a sessionist, working his way up the ladder of recognition and eventually recording for various well-known names. Although his musical concerns have taken a turn towards the commercial, Jannick Top has recently guested with Magma, as recorded on Mythes Et Légendes, Volume II. The compilation album, "Soleil d'Ork" is a collection of his solo work recorded between 1974 and '80, some tracks being in collaboration with fellow Magma musicians and other important members of the Paris scene such as Richard Pinhas. The whole album retains a very Kobaian flavour and would be of interest to fans of the Zeuhl movement. Jannick Top owns and runs Utopic Records and maintains an archive of Magma bootlegs. :: also I've heard Paga's "Gnosis" and I thought it was fun. Reminded me more of Zao than anything, ala being more jazz-rock than zeuhl-ish. certainly of a high quality.