ENNEADE

This is a sampler for the French label Musea. It contains music from various Zeuhl and Avant- Prog from the French-speaking parts of Europe. There are some well known names here as well as songs that can only be found here, as far as I know.

Magma "You"-This is a shorter studio version. Longer, live versions appear on some Magma live releases. The sound of this song is early '80s R&B. It's similar to the sound of Merci, but better than any song on it. There are English lyrics. Some horns. I love the overdubbed synth sounds.

Troll "Break Up Dance"-This is an instrumental rockin' song. Some violin. Nice synths.

Xalph "Gya-Tei Parts 1 & 2"-A very fusion sounding song. There are some Zeuhlish vocals in the second part.

Bernard Paganotti "Urantia"-Very similar to Weidorje or the Paga album. There is a cool vocal melody in this song. Also some saxophone.

Yochk'o Seffer "Freya"-Zao saxophonist in jazz-rock mode. Nice violin solo.

Eskaton "La Lutte"-This is a more electronic sounding song. Awesome distorted bass sound. Great female harmony vocals near the end.

Francois Cahen "Dans le Villes Detruites"-Zao keyboardist with a very 80s sounding fusion with drum machines.

Shub-Niggurath "J'ai vu Naguere en Peinture les Harpyes Ravassant les Repas de Phynee"- Last song on the band's first album. Dark music with a monster bass and operatic singing.

Eider Stellaire "Millenaires"-Good song from this mostly instrumental band. Nice middle section with trumpet.

Musique Noise "Villiers"-French vocals which remind me of Ange. There is some Neil Peart style drum fills. A great Zeuhl bass sound halfway through.

Farben "Mutations"-Univers Zero-like piano at the beginning. The whole song is mostly piano and drums.

Altais "Altais"-The best song here. Begins with wind noises and female vocals. Then drums, Zeuhl bass, vocals and keys come in. Very Kobaian sounding vocals. In the middle you can hear people whispering. Later on you hear what sounds like "eavee sippy, son of a bitch". I'm not even sure what language the song is sung in. The tempo picks up at the end.

Univers Zero "Toujours Plus a l'est"-From the Crawling Wind EP. Sounds similar to Ceux Du Dehors. The first few minutes sounds as close to Mike Oldfield as UZ ever got. Later there is a solo on either an electric guitar or electric violin. About halfway through it goes into more chamber-prog territory.

A great album and sampler of primarily Zeuhl music. 3 stars.