TYPHARETH

Typhareth is the logical conclusion to Zao's experiments in continuing the more fusion-influenced strands of Magma's music, in that by this point in the band's development their previous Zeuhl sound has been replaced with slick fusion chops - and then they go further than that, and for most of the album play in a classic jazz style. This is not actually a bad thing - the years spent working on Zeuhl and fusion playing honed the band's skills markedly, and leaves them more than capable of performing traditional jazz to a high standard - but at the same time it feels rather overpolished and safe. Yes, it's a regression to their musical routes rather than a progression forwards into new territory, but sometimes it's a good thing to revisit your routes and try out the new tricks you've learned in your explorations in a traditional framework, but at the same time Typhareth falls into an awkward gap where neither jazz fans nor zeuhl maniacs will go crazy about it.