Record Reviews

ZAO ~ AKHENATON MUSEA 4125 (Barcode: 3426300041258) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1994 Released: 1994 The reissue of the 1970s ZaoFind albums by this artist recordings on CD by the French MuseaFind albums on this label label in the early 1990s created a renewed interest in the band’s legendary music and prompted the two founders François CahenFind albums by this artist (piano) and Yochk`o SefferFind albums by this artist (saxophone) to reunite the band in 1993. They managed to enlist one more original band member Jean-My TruongFind albums by this artist (drums) and to complete the quintet they were joined by violinist Patrick TillemanFind albums by this artist (who took the role of the original violinist Didier LockwoodFind albums by this artist) and bassist Dominique BertramFind albums by this artist (who filled the place of Gerard PrevostFind albums by this artist). The reunited group recorded this album, which includes all new music composed as usual by Cahen and Seffer. Slightly jazzier than the 1970s material, the new album shows clearly that the musicians lost none of their chops over the years and can still outplay almost anybody. The new material is brilliant, as always, firmly reestablishing the two composers as leading figures in European Fusion. There are no week points here, as unfortunately many reunion albums suffer from, and the original band’s fans can treat this album easily as one more excellent addition to the band’s splendid legacy.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ZAO ~ IN TOKYO MUSEA 4699 (Barcode: 3426300046994) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2004 Released: 2007 The legendary French band ZaoFind albums by this artist, formed in 1973 by two ex-MagmaFind albums by this artist members François CahenFind albums by this artist and Yochk`o SefferFind albums by this artist was probably the best and most interesting musical phenomenon on the scene at the time. The band reformed for a short period of time in 1994 to record one album (AkhenatonFind albums with this title) and then again a decade later for a Japanese tour, where this album was recorded live. To make things even more interesting, the Japanese violinist and member of KBBFind albums by this artist, Akihisa TsuboyFind albums by this artist, joined the group to complete the sextet (the original group included the legendary French violinist Didier LockwoodFind albums by this artist). The music is everything one would expect from Zao – breathtakingly beautiful Avant-Garde with strong jazz backbone. The new vocalist fills the difficult role with flying colors and all the musicians perform superbly. The material is a great mixture of older material (newly arranged) and new pieces, all composed by Cahen and Seffer. The lengthy pieces allow for extensive solos by all musicians and the album has a wonderful natural flow to it. In short, people who love improvised modern adventurous music will love this immensely. Essential!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend

ZAO ~ KAWANA MUSEA 4039 (Barcode: 3426300040398) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1976 Released: 2001 4th album by the superb French ensemble ZaoFind albums by this artist. By the time this album was recorded the two leaders, Yochk`o SefferFind albums by this artist and François CahenFind albums by this artist, decided to change the musical direction of the group and move further into Jazz-Rock. They invited the French violin prodigy Didier LockwoodFind albums by this artist (the third world-famous French Jazz violinist after Stephane GrappelliFind albums by this artist and Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist), who was a member of MagmaFind albums by this artist at the time, to join Zao. The resulting quintet (with Gerard PrevostFind albums by this artist on bass and Jean-My TruongFind albums by this artist on drums) was one of the strongest Jazz-Rock groups at the time. Lockwood’s exceptional improvisational abilities are the highlight of the album, but as usual the superb compositions by the two leaders and the overall level of musicianship make this album another masterpiece and a prime example of European Jazz-Rock. Unfortunately this was to be the last album recorded by the original Zao lineup as Yochk`o Seffer left the group shortly after the recording, leaving François Cahen to lead the new version of the group. Of course they would join forces later on during the group’s reunions. 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

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

ZAO ~ SHEKINA MUSEA 4067 (Barcode: 3426300040671) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1975 Released: 1992 3rd album by the superb French ensemble ZaoFind albums by this artist. Following the recording of the first two albums, the two leaders, Yochk`o SefferFind albums by this artist and François CahenFind albums by this artist, decided to expand the musical scope of the group by adding a string quartet and writing some music which would combine the jazzy elements they explored earlier with some classically influenced orchestration. To emphasize the diversity of the two approaches, the decision was to find an all-female string quartet, which would complete the all-male group and balance the overall result. The Quatuor MargandFind albums by this artist, a seasoned string quartet, which had previous experience of working with jazz musicians, was chosen to work with Zao and they performed together and recorded this great album. The group also changed the bass player and Gerard PrevostFind albums by this artist fitted the bill perfectly with his pulsating approach, playing electric bass. Pierre GuignonFind albums by this artist was added on percussion to complete the nonet. The resulting ensemble was absolutely amazing, playing music aeons ahead of their time, which probably was the reason that even in France, which was always open to Avant-Garde, they had a tough time to find gigs. This led eventually to the inevitable breakdown of this unique lineup. The use of strings would however continue, with the young violin prodigy Didier LockwoodFind albums by this artist joining the group for their next lineup. The album remains an extraordinary example of European Avant-Garde Fusion and remains as fascinating as it was at the time of its recording.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ZAO ~ Z=7L MUSEA 4081 (Barcode: 3426300040817) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 Released: 1993 1st album by the phenomenat French group ZaoFind albums by this artist, formed by two ex-MagmaFind albums by this artist members Yochk`o SefferFind albums by this artist - saxophones and François CahenFind albums by this artist - keyboards. With four additional musicians: Mauricia PlatonFind albums by this artist - vocals, Joël DugrenotFind albums by this artist - bass, Jean-Yves RigaudFind albums by this artist - violin and Jean-My TruongFind albums by this artist - drums they created a band, which untill today is considered as one of the most interesting Prog bands ever. Their music includes elements of Prog, jazz, contemporary classical and world music and is a wonderful mixture of styles, always challenging and intellectually stimulating. A classic!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend