LIVE IN TOKYO

Is this still (progressive) jazz rock or already zeuhl? ... never mind, there's some fluent passage to state in any case. No wonder, three current MAGMA band members (guitar, bass, keys) are involved here, plus drummer Daniel Jeand'heur. You can experience outtakes from a fantastic performance by this French quartet, recorded 2010 in Japan. One hour brimful of big-hearted and virtuoso moments, each track is clocking around the ten minute mark, so they take the time to let it evolve in each and every case ... let's go Tokyo!

Provided with a strong fusion and canterbury styled outfit Black P is my personal highlight. I adore the dramatic Rhodes piano riffs at the beginning, Bruno Ruder arrives at top form while playing in such a playful manner, and it sounds like he's using a wah-wah pedal here - fantastic! This also features guitar solos and an irresistibly meandering bass. With Ewaz Vader they probably seem to break all records when it comes to the tempo, wow! Can't really imagine what is composed here and what improvised on the other hand. Def MK1 at least stands for well attuned guitar and Rhodes cooperation which never ever can come out of the blue.

'Live In Tokyo' showcases a very energetic presence, recorded with top-notch audio quality on top of it - well, please concentrate on this powerful bass for a while! Highly recommended to jazz rock and zeuhl fans. An album with complex arrangements which even sometimes seem to lose order in between, dizzying ... but always with intent ... and caution. It all lives from the musician's somnambulistic interaction of course, just take Monsieur G which leaves me fascinated every time I listen. Can't imagine who has the ability to make it better - please tell me. 4.5 stars with entitlement to a masterpiece ... we just have to wait a while.