Record Reviews

SHUB NIGGURATH ~ INTRODUCTION SOLEIL ZEUHL 22 (Barcode: 8713657090790) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1982 Released: 2009 1st album by legendary French Zeuhl band Shub NiggurathFind albums by this artist, originally only available on cassette and never previously released on CD. This reissue closes a great gap in the history of Zeuhl recordings, as this magnificent piece of music is every bit as good as the band´s second album "Les Morts Vont ViteFind albums with this title", which although issued on CD, has been out of print for ages. The MagmaFind albums by this artist influenced sextet took the Zeuhl influences further than any other ensemble into the dark planes of contemporary music, even beyond Universe ZeroFind albums by this artist. The band was a sextet comprised of guitarist Frank William FromyFind albums by this artist, pianist Jean-Luc HerveFind albums by this artist, trombonist Veronique VerdierFind albums by this artist, bassist Alain BallaudFind albums by this artist, drummer Franck CoulaudFind albums by this artist and singer Ann StewartFind albums by this artist. The music is quite impossible to describe, which leaves only the one sensible thing to do – just listen. It is simply enchanting, hypnotic, broody and dark, with heavy bass sound emphasized by the use of the bass trombone, always surprising and altogether magnificent. An absolute must to any Zeuhl fan and worthy listening by any open-minded serious music lover. Essential listening experience!

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

WRONG OBJECT ~ AFTER THE EXHIBITION MOONJUNE 055 (Barcode: 692287905521) ~ BELGIUM ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is a "live in the studio" album by the Belgian ensemble The Wrong ObjectFind albums by this artist, a sextet founded by guitarist / composer Michel DelvilleFind albums by this artist, which also includes saxophonists Marti MeliaFind albums by this artist and Francois LourtieFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Antoine GuenetFind albums by this artist, bassist Pierre MottetFind albums by this artist and drummer Laurent DelchambreFind albums by this artist. Two guest musicians also take part in the recording: vibraphonist Benoit MoerlenFind albums by this artist (on six tracks) and vocalist Susan ClynesFind albums by this artist (on one track). The album presents eleven tracks, all originals composed by the ensemble members. The music of Wrong Object is a fascinating amalgam of RIO, Jazz-Rock Fusion, Free Jazz explorations and a Zappaesque mayhem, which somehow makes a perfect sense to the listener. It is diverse and ranges from a melodic ballad, like the only vocal piece on this album, to multilayered improvised pieces with energetic and expressive soloing. The pieces are often quite complex, changing tempi, using odd meters and so on, but eventually the music is completely coherent and above all interesting at all times. The heavy / rough Rock guitar sound and the more Jazzy brass sound balance each other quite perfectly. The melodic content is very dominant, even though the ensemble tries not to emphasize it openly. The level of individual performances is excellent, as is the interplay between the ensemble members. Wrong Object is one of the few contemporary ensembles associated with the Prog scene, which manages to consistently produce interesting and intelligent music album after album, contrary to the boring and repetitive music played by most of the Prog scene protagonists. This album finds them expanding their milieu and trying new directions, as every ambitious group should, and their success to evolve and develop is quite remarkable. They proudly continue the European individualism, like their fellow countryman Universe ZeroFind albums by this artist, being among those who justify the connection between Progressive music the Prog idiom. Overall this is a great album, which lasts for many listening sessions and always allows the listener to discover new intricacies with every encounter. Unrestrained by conventions and narrow-mindedness these musicians are able to take you places you have not visited earlier. Highly recommended!

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

ZAO ~ OSIRIS MUSEA 4130 (Barcode: 3426300041302) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 1995 2nd album by the superb French ensemble ZaoFind albums by this artist. Recorded exactly a year after their sensational debut (Z=7LFind albums with this title), the lineup is almost identical, except for the singer Mauricia PlatonFind albums by this artist, who left the group in the meantime. Two guest percussion players are added to expand the band’s sound. As usual almost all the music was composed by Yochk`o SefferFind albums by this artist and François CahenFind albums by this artist, who are able to create a magical mix of Prog, Jazz and contemporary Classical elements with an innovative approach unparalleled at the time by no other group. The saxophone, keyboards and electric violin solos are all excellent and the lengthy pieces constantly change paste and melody lines. This is European music at its best and a model for the entire RIO movement (Universe ZeroFind albums by this artist in particular). Released on a small independent French label (DiscunjctaFind albums on this label), the album was almost immediately out of circulation and remained unavailable for over 20 years. If you like fascinating, demanding and intellectually challenging music, this is a must. The bonus track is one of the three tracks recorded in December 1973 by Yochk`o Seffer and François Cahen with visiting Canadian musicians.

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend