Record Reviews

AMYGDALA ~ COMPLEX COMBAT SOLEIL ZEUHL 18 (Barcode: 3426300096036) ~ JAPAN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2006 - 2007 Released: 2008 2nd album by Japanese group AmygdalaFind albums by this artist, which took the world by surprise with their debut album, a few years back. While they were only a duo on their debut album, here they have expanded the lineup to a trio and even added a guest soloist on some tracks. Formed by keyboards player Yoshiyuki NakajimaFind albums by this artist, who also writes all the music, and guitarist Yoshihiro YamajiFind albums by this artist, they added the French drummer Daniel Jeand`heurFind albums by this artist (One ShotFind albums by this artist) and as guest musician another Japanese keyboards player Kenichi OguchiFind albums by this artist (KensoFind albums by this artist) to create a massive and complex sound. The result is truly remarkable and although a demanding listening experience, full of incredible performances and musical magic. People who loved their debut will of course be delighted by this new effort, and those who so far never heard them should do so ASAP. Stylistically the music covers Jazz-Rock Fusion and Zeuhl, but also a lot of other ground. Rather than try to classify one should listen with an open mind and let the music speak for itself. I doubt if anybody, who seriously likes serious contemporary music, could stay cold to this. A must for Zeuhl fans of course.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

BBI ~ BBI SOLEIL ZEUHL 15 (Barcode: 8713657090813) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1996 Released: 2008 French trio BBIFind albums by this artist recorded just one album before the members moved on to other projects. The members were guitarist Laurent ImperatoFind albums by this artist (ex-XaalFind albums by this artist), bassist Philippe BussonnetFind albums by this artist (MagmaFind albums by this artist, One ShotFind albums by this artist) and drummer Jean-Claude BuireFind albums by this artist (ex-OfferingFind albums by this artist). The album is quite similar to the instrumental Jazz-Rock Fusion guitar oriented music played by One Shot, driven by the superb bass lines played by Bussonnet. The music is highly energetic and improvised, with the guitar performing some wild pyrotechnics. The repetitive rhythmic patterns and the intensive sound of the French Zeuhl school, developed by the Magma camp, are of course the foundation, but this album is definitely more Fusion oriented that any of the Magma albums. Three of the six composition present here, written by Bussonnet will appear later in reworked form on the first One Shot album three years later. Magma and Zeuhl fans will jump on this album, but it is recommended to all listeners who love guitar power trios. Thanks to Soleil ZeuhlFind albums on this label one more gem from the French heritage has been rescued from oblivion. The music was mastered and restored by the Israeli sound wizard Udi KoomranFind albums by this artist.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ONE SHOT ~ LIVE IN TOKYO SOLEIL ZEUHL 29 (Barcode: 2090503544253) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011 After almost ten years of silence, the great French group One ShotFind albums by this artist, one of the best Zeuhl acts around, returns with another live recording, this time recorded in Japan. Although the group´s members visited Japan before as members of MagmaFind albums by this artist, they never played as One Shot there. This recording features the new keyboards player Bruno RuderFind albums by this artist, who replaced the founding member Emanuel BorghiFind albums by this artist and who is of course the current Magma keyboards player. They play a set of original compositions, mostly by bassist Philippe BussonnetFind albums by this artist, and as usual the improvisations are stellar. The usual mixture of Prog, Fusion and Zeuhl that works for them always certainly works wander this time as well and every Zeuhl fan will enjoy this album immensely! A must!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ONE SHOT ~ REFORGED SOLEIL ZEUHL 25 (Barcode: 8713657090837) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1999 Released: 2010 1st album of the fantastic instrumental French band One ShotFind albums by this artist, which finally gets the long overdue reissue treatment with the addition of one great bonus track. This is another superb release by the tiny, but consistently excellent Soleil ZeuhlFind albums on this label label. One Shot comprises of three ex-MagmaFind albums by this artist members: guitarist Jack Mac GrawFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Emanuel BorghiFind albums by this artist and bassist Philippe BuissonnetFind albums by this artist with the addition of drummer Daniel Jeand`heurFind albums by this artist. Their music is immensely intensive and merges basic Zeuhl influences with Fusion, played to the extreme. Prog, Fusion and Zeuhl fans will find this album indispensible, since very few other bands ever managed to achieve the same level of excellence and execution in that particular niche, although the album should be of interest to all open-minded music enthusiasts, especially those interested in Jazzy improvisations and complex Fusion. Brilliant stuff!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

	ONE SHOT ~ VENDREDI 13 SOLEIL ZEUHL 06 ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion This incredible group is an off-shot of the French group Magma. This debut album, recorded live in April 2001 presents some of the best Prog/Fusion music recorded in a long while, with incredible freshness, virtuosity and power. Very long and extensive improvisations rarely heard anywhere. Brilliant!
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

PIENZA ETHNORKESTRA ~ INDIENES D’EUROPE SOLEIL ZEUHL 14 ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2005 Released: 2007 Pienza EthnorkestraFind albums by this artist are a French trio playing some of the most interesting music I have ever heard. The members of the band include ex-members of MagmaFind albums by this artist and One ShotFind albums by this artist and they play drums, bass and the electric hurdy gurdy – the strangest instrument one might consider as a front for a band. Nevertheless they manage to create a fascinating sound, which although difficult to classify falls comfortably within the wide limits of RIO / Avant-Garde Rock. All three players are obvious virtuosi on their respective instruments, with the hurdy gurdy being of course the most unusual and innovative. The music is based on folk motifs: East European, Gypsy and Middle Eastern all serving as a basis for extensive instrumental improvisations. The hurdy gurdy sounds like a string trio played in unison, a truly amazing effect. Most of the album is up-tempo with the music being quite intense, which demands a lot of attention and careful listening. Absolutely amazing stuff and most warmly recommended to people with “balls” between their ears.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

FRANCOIS THOLLOT ~ CONTACT SOLEIL ZEUHL 09 ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock Great new album by the French guitarist Francois ThollotFind albums by this artist, this time in trio format with the help of two One ShotFind albums by this artist members. Some of the best RIO / Fusion music recorded lately with blistering guitar work by Thollot and great support from his buddies. This is very different from the first album he released on this label, almost completely in contrast to it in fact.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend