Record Reviews
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  | AKINETÓN RETARD ~ AKINETÓN AO VIVO
EDITIO PRINCEPS 06 ~ CHILE ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2004
4th album (recorded live in Chile and Brazil) by the exquisite Chilean band Akinetón RetardFind albums by this artist, which is probably the most eloquent South American representative of RIO, but taking the original RIO musical ideology far and out beyond any preconceived notions. The music is as “crazy” as it gets, incorporating the freedom and virtuosity of European RIO groups, traces of MagmaFind albums by this artist (including linguistic mambo-jumbo), free jazz and you name it – completely far out but so breathtakingly good and absorbing that you feel completely drenched after an attentive listening session. Definitely not recommended for the weak-hearted, but compulsory for the adventurous listener with wide musical horizons. The album presents music taken from the three studio albums the band recorded and adds new material heard here for the first time. As usual in a live recording, there is much more space for extended soloing, which of course is always welcome. Any attempt to describe this music any further would be completely useless – just grab this and have a time of your life!
| | | CD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | EIDER STELLAIRE ~ 1
SOLEIL ZEUHL 30 (Barcode: 2090503603592) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1981 Released: 2011
This is the 1st album by the great French Zeuhl group Eider StellaireFind albums by this artist, led by drummer Michel Le BarsFind albums by this artist, which is often considered as one of the true gems of the genre. It embodies the Zeuhl spirit, presenting music which combines elements of modern European Classical music, Rock and Jazzy improvisations. The band often played at the same venues as MagmaFind albums by this artist of course. The great instrumental work and the vocalese female vocals are, as usual, quite irresistible. This is also one of the rarest albums around, with the original vinyl only pressed in 300 copies and now being and ultra-rare collector´s item. This new edition adds a great bonus track, but most importantly brings to life one of the greatest European Prog gems. Absolutely essential for every Zeuhl fan!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | ESKATON ~ 4 VISIONS
SOLEIL ZEUHL 23 (Barcode: 2090503360884) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2010
1st album of the fantastic French Zeuhl band EskatonFind albums by this artist, which finally gets the long overdue reissue treatment (remastered by the Israeli sound wizard Udi KoomranFind albums by this artist) with the addition of some great bonus tracks. This is another great release by the tiny, but consistently superb Soleil ZeuhlFind albums on this label label. Eskaton continues and expands the music of MagmaFind albums by this artist, the precursor / inventor of the Zeuhl movement, but adds a distinctive style of its own and eschews many of the elements (like droning and endless repetition) that make Magma often difficult to swallow. Led by pianist Marc RozenbergFind albums by this artist, who also composed all of the band´s music, and featuring a double female vocals chants by Paule KleynnaertFind albums by this artist and Amara TahirFind albums by this artist, the band managed to create a remarkable body of music as documented on their three albums (and a fourth unreleased one). Both Prog and Zeuhl fans will find this album indispensible, since no other band 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 |
  | ESKATON ~ FICTION
SOLEIL ZEUHL 13 ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock
3rd and last album from 1982 by the great French Prog / Zeuhl band EskatonFind albums by this artist, which is probably the closest MagmaFind albums by this artist clone ever, but fortunately managed to avoid many of the Magma shortcommings. The material is never boring or repetitious, always creative and full of surprises. Amara Tahir`s vocal explorations are breathtaking. This edition also includes the material recorded in 1983-85 and planned for their 4th album, which was never eventually released. Another gem by this suberb label!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | KRUZENSHTERN & PAROHOD / VIALKA ~ KRUZENSHTERN & PAROHOD / VIALKA
AURIS 011 (Barcode: 7290011216115) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2005 - 2006 Released: 2006
This is a shared release by two of the most interesting experimental / RIO ensembles: the Israeli group Kruzenshtern & ParohodFind albums by this artist (4 tracks) and the French duo VialkaFind albums by this artist (5 tracks). As these musicians share the musical direction and also perform and tour together, this cooperative release is quite natural in their case. Vialka are a guitar / drums duo, playing music somewhere left of MagmaFind albums by this artist and resembling (mainly because of the use of vocals) some earlier French and UK RIO groups. The fact that they are only a duo makes their music even more amazing, since they sound as a full ensemble and their music is complete and utterly overwhelming. Kruzenshtern & Parohod are basically a trio, but here add an accordion player to extend the scope of the overall sound. Their amazing mixture of rock, jazz, klezmer music and humor is surely some of the best stuff in circulation today and I am pretty surprised they are not as worldwide known, as they deserve to be. Well good music never is, as we all know. This is music for the adventurous listeners, who are afraid of nothing and appreciate the unexpected.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | NEBELNEST ~ ZEPTO
CUNEIFORM 234 (Barcode: 045775023427) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006
3rd album by the excellent French RIO band NebelnestFind albums by this artist. Reduced to a trio, with the original guitarist making a guest appearance, the band produces more of their dark Symphonic Prog, with strong RIO elements. There are long improvised passages and use of dissonance, all of this well framed in the scope of the compositions. The pace of the album is quite relentless and the music intense and complex. Some influences from the early RIO bands (like MagmaFind albums by this artist) can be found occasionally, but most of the material is completely original. The more adventurous Prog listeners should enjoy this stuff immensely and the only pity is that the band produces a new album only every four years.
| | | 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 |
  | RIALZU ~ U RIGIRU
SOLEIL ZEUHL 16 (Barcode: 3426300096043) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1978 Released: 2008
Only album by French band RialzuFind albums by this artist, one of the very few Prog groups active in the 1970s on the French Island of Corsica. Considered an ultra rare collector’s item for many years, here it is for the first time on CD with some bonus material. The members of the band combine elements of Symphonic Prog, MagmaFind albums by this artist influences and Corsican folklore into a very interesting musical blend, creating a Prog gem. Although mostly instrumental, the album also includes some vocal tracks, sung in the Corsican language. The original album included only 3 tracks, two of which are extended compositions 16 and 11 minutes long. This reissue adds two live tracks recorded by the group before the album was recorded and a short video clip taken from a live show – all together a great reissue. The music is very original and quite different from the French mainland efforts at the time, which makes this effort quite unique. Kudos to Soleil ZeuhlFind albums on this label for unearthing this lost gem and making it accessible to us all. Recommended!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | RUNAWAY TOTEM ~ PLEROMA
MUSEA 4579 (Barcode: 3426300045799) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2004 Released: 2004
5th album by Italian group Runaway TotemFind albums by this artist, which is strongly influenced by the music and philosophy of the French group MagmaFind albums by this artist and belongs to the small but very dedicated circle of Zeuhl followers. The album presents the third part of the trilogy of albums called "Cosmic Cycles", which started with the previous releases "AndromedaFind albums with this title" and "Tep ZepiFind albums with this title". The lineup of the group, which seems to be in a constant shift, is now reduced to a duo, fronted by a formidable and impressive singer / composer Roberto GottardiFind albums by this artist, who also plays guitars, keyboards and bass and drummer Germano MorghenFind albums by this artist. The album is a musical suite rather than a collection of separate tunes, dominated by dark atmosphere and hypnotic rhythms and repetitions. The sound is heavy and dense, with extended instrumental passages and dramatic tempo shifts. Zeuhl / RIO fans will find this music mesmerizing, although any Prog fan will find here many fascinating elements worth listening to. This is a very impressive piece of work, which deserves more exposure that it achieved so far. Recommended!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | RUNAWAY TOTEM ~ TEP ZEPI
MUSEA 4465 (Barcode: 3426300044655) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2002 Released: 2002
4th album by Italian group Runaway TotemFind albums by this artist, which is strongly influenced by the music and philosophy of the French group MagmaFind albums by this artist and belongs to the small but very dedicated circle of Zeuhl followers. The album presents the second part of the trilogy of albums called "Cosmic Cycles", which started with the previous release "AndromedaFind albums with this title" and continues with the next album "PleromaFind albums with this title". The lineup of the group, which seems to be in a constant shift, is a quartet, fronted by a formidable and impressive singer / guitarist Roberto GottardiFind albums by this artist and includes also keyboardist Roberto VeroneseFind albums by this artist, bassist Dario GelmettiFind albums by this artist and drummer Germano MorghenFind albums by this artist. The album is a musical suite rather than a collection of separate tunes, dominated by dark atmosphere and hypnotic rhythms and repetitions. The sound is heavy and dense, with extended instrumental passages and dramatic tempo shifts. Zeuhl / RIO fans will find this music mesmerizing, although any Prog fan will find here many fascinating elements worth listening to. This is a very impressive piece of work, which deserves more exposure that it achieved so far. Recommended!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | 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 |
  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ HUR! – HOMMAGE A LA MUSIQUE DE CHRISTIAN VANDER
SOLEIL ZEUHL 19-20 (Barcode: 3700173928220) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009
This album celebrates 40 years of activity by French composer / musician / bandleader Christian VanderFind albums by this artist and his legendary band MagmaFind albums by this artist, one of the most influential, innovative and groundbreaking phenomenon of contemporary European music. Vander spearheaded the creation of the Zeuhl subgenre of Progressive Rock, mixing elements of Jazz, Free Improvisation, Rock and contemporary Classical Music, creating a unique musical platform for creativity. His group Magma served as a vehicle for his explorations, creating a mini-universe / subculture, which created a completely new language, both verbally and musically. Over the years, dozens of musicians passed through the ranks of Magma, creating their own ensembles later on, after absorbing the leader´s influence, with the Magma family tree growing up to enormous degree. Countless other bands all over the world, heavily inspired by the music of Vander, expanded the Zeuhl universe to encompass the entire globe. This album is an ambitious project, which brings together 25 ensembles from many countries, each performing a different piece of music written by Vander, all together almost 3 hours of Zeuhl music at its best. The ensembles range from intimate ones to big bands and their interpretation of the music varies in approach and proximity to the source, but altogether this is a musical feast of rare proportions. In many respects this album is "better" than the original, in the sense that the variety and dynamics here is much wider than on the Magma albums, which sometimes tend to be overbearing and tedious with lengthy repetition, none of which can be found here. Released on the tiny, but exquisite French Soleil ZeuhlFind albums on this label label, which since many years serves as a faithful home base for many Zeuhl bands, this project is a great example of dedication, hard work and ingenuity, especially in these difficult times for music, which deserves all the respect and admiration. Essential listening!
| | | CD 2 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | BENOIT WIDEMANN ~ STRESS!
SVART / MONDO 391 (Barcode: 6430065589259) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2020
By the late 1970s the synthesizer was undoubtedly the King of Pop / Rock. There was hardly any music making unit at the time that did not feature the synthesizer in its arsenal, and the electronically generated sounds were rapidly and consistently dominating the popular music scene, achieving total dominance a decade later.
It all started really promising with the introduction of the Hammond Organ in the mid-1930s, which was warmly embraced by the Jazz community and expanded the instrumental range by another warm and funky sounding instrument. By the mid-1960s the Hammond Organ became also a much beloved member of the young Rock family, especially by the more ambitious early Progressive Rock pioneers, soon to be joined by the new kid on the block, the Moog synthesizer.
The 1970s brought an avalanche of rapidly developing new synthesizers, which were able to produce a growing range of unearthly soundscapes and capable of imitating every existing musical instrument on earth, including the drums, and beyond. By the 1980s popular music became one gigantic synthesized buzz of undistinguishable source, as if the earth was invaded by an alien race that was terrorizing the humans and dissolving their brains using synthesizers. It often seems that this situation did not improve much since, and the only desert islands of relative sanity survived thanks to Classical Music and Jazz.
Therefore one could speculate that it was the synthesizer, which brought upon us the downfall of Popular Music and destroyed the magnificent achievements of the Golden Era of Rock (1965-1975) down to a pulp. Of course other might think differently, especially those who still play guitars, basses, drums or (God forbid) a flute ;)
"Stress!Find albums with this title" is a classic example of a synthesizer dominated music, although it makes some use of non-synthesized sounds, like the acoustic piano or drums. The composer and chief performer, Benoit WidemannFind albums by this artist, plays an array of synthesizers, as appropriate for the occasion and is accompanied, although only occasionally, by other musicians, all representatives of the French Progressive Rock camaraderie around the legendary group MagmaFind albums by this artist, firmly led by drummer / composer Christian VanderFind albums by this artist with an ever changing lineup, which more or less included the entire French Prog / Zeuhl scene over time.
The music is all over the place, with touches of early Techno, Funk, Prog of course and traces of Jazz, hardly a consistent flow of musical ideas, but an excellent demonstration of Widemann´s abilities as a composer and player. Well recorded and offering a god example of the diversity of sounds that the synthesizers were able to produce at the time, with a touch of the obvious nostalgic tinge, this album is still a very enjoyable listening experience today and certainly has more to offer than most music produced at present.
The French Progressive Rock, similarly to French Classical Music, has a distinctive ambience, which this album reflects very well. Less focused on melody and rhythmic complexity, this music is more about the atmospheric statement, the moods and the colors of the music and its influence on the listener´s psyche.
Although previously reissued, soon do disappear again, this music certainly deserves to be available to listeners looking for non-trivial music that the past has to offer. Enjoy!
Side Note
The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork.
I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years.
The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.
| | Updated: 23/05/2020Posted: 23/05/2020 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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