Customer Reviews

Retrospektiw III

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There's a pretty widespread consensus that any Magma collection should begin with MEKANIK DESTRUKTIW KOMMANDOH and MAGMA LIVE (containing a version of Vander's other masterpiece, KOHNTARKOSZ, that shreds the studiio original). But what to buy next?

Maybe this one. "Retrovision" is a gas, an infectious 18-minute pop-funk romp (!) with lyrics in Kobaian, French, and Emglish (yes, Magma sings "ooh, baby!"). It's great to hear Vander successfully incorporaring another one of his heroes, James Brown, into the already ridiculously eclectic list of his influences. And just when you were wondering who kidnapped the real Magma, the piece shifts gears for a final few minutes in a more traditional Magmoid vein.

"La Dawotsin" is just a 4-minute snippet, but it's transfixing and central to the Vander repertoire; it dates from the same time as MDK, but was left unrecorded after Mike Oldfield (who was rehearsing in the same complex as Magma) unconsciously borrowed its main theme (transmuted a bit) for the opening theme of TUBULAR BELLS. This has one of those magical grooves that make you glad there's a repeat button on your CD player.

"Hhai" is a very fine version of the piece first heard on MAGMA LIVE; this has a revised version of the opening melody, some great additional call-and-response vocals in the middle, and a whole new section as an extended ending. It's thus the best available version of the composition as Magma plays it now.

This was the first Magma album I heard and I still think it's their best. I would also say that it IS the one to try if you haven't heard'em before and would like to get into Magma. Magma can sometimes be a bit tedious because of their repetitive, often lengthy songs. But this album provides a lot of energy and excellent, varied compositions. The first track is funky almost in the style of Miles Davis of the mid 80's. This live set captures the French odd rockers in all its splendour. What a drummer! The female back up vocalists are fantastic. Check the hysteric call and response routine during Hhaļ where also violinist Didier Lockwood shows up for a guest appearance. Excellent musicianship and Kobaļan magic makes this album come alive each time I listen to it!

WARNING: Do not purchase this recording if you want to "chill out" to some easy jazz. This is difficult jazz. Extragalactic jazz. I would probably classify this as thematically skewed seventies fusion opera rock (that any self-respecting punk rocker at the time would probably burn publicly out in the street). It is utterly pretentious, ridiculous, over-the-top madness. But it is also fascinating and a rewarding sonic experience. Know Elvish? Klingon? Why not try Kobaiian? Sing along with all of your friends. Other reviews have said this music is indescribable, but since I like a challenge, I would put my best effort forward: Imagine a crazed Andrew Lloyd Webber musical that depicts future humans venturing out into space to the mythical planet Kobaiia. Sort of like Starlight Express on acid. There are jazz elements, but also Wagnerian opera, gothic-inspired prog-rock (ala Goblin, Amon Duul II) and hyperkinetic drumming and rhythms that would make any pony-tailed guitar store clerk throw away his Rush record collection. The vocals posses an otherworldy falsetto trill and baritone answer-and-call styling. Sounds like a Miss Piggy duet with Pavarotti (in Kobaiian, mind you). I am not joking. Picture, if you will, all the drama kids at your high school having a drug-freakout party dressed up like Starlight Express extras.. Kind of get the picture now? As you might guess, this music has about as much subtlety as a sledgehammer. If this sounds good to you, then buy it, because you probably wont find this in your neighborhood record store. If it sounds like a nightmare, then run far, far away from this band. If you like nightmares, then you are in luck. Buckle your seatbelts, Magma is one wild ride.

Someday, when real funk comes back into vogue, somebody's going to dig up a copy of "Retrospektiw 3" and admit that it's genius.
Until that time, the controversy will rage as to whether Christian Vander's experiments with George Clinton-style funk and Eurodisco were wise or not...
My verdict is "yes." "Retrovision" is a perfect example. It may be a bit jarring to hear English exclamations and French monologue along with the Kobaian, but somehow it works. I went into it with a few doubts, but then I discovered that 15 of the track's 18 minutes had passed, and that I was thoroughly enjoying myself!
The version of "Hhai" on this disc is called the "integral version." I really can't say whether that is true, because I have both seen and heard a number of versions of "Hhai" and none of them have been bad; anyway, there was no way this version could fail, with Didier Lockwood on violin!
My favorite piece on here, though, is " 'La' Dawotsin." I've always enjoyed Magma's more contemplative songs, and this one really makes me wonder what was happening! It was supposed to be an outtake from MDK, and if I were allowed to place it anywhere on that album, I'd put it between "Ima Suri Dondai" and "Kobaia Is De Hundin." Ah well, I suppose we'll never know...
So, all in all, an enjoyable live performance. Don't let Vander's 'channeling' of George Clinton put you off!

Cuando escuchè a MAGMA por pimera vez, quedè totalmente impresionado. Ahora no puedo dejar de escucharlos. Recomiendo este disco a todo el mundo.