Z=7L

Zao (Heavy Metal), Zao | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 29, 2003)
• Original Release Date: January 1, 1973
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Musea
• ASIN: B0000CDDBM
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #549,289 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Marochsek

2. Ataturc

3. Ronach

4. Atart

5. La Soupe

6. Satanyia

Editorial Reviews

Created in 1973 by two former MAGMA musicians, Yochk'o SEFFER (Saxophone) and Fran‡ois "FATON" CAHEN (Keyboards), ZAO displays a music both intriguing and complex. The band offers an original mixture between Progressive rock, jazz, traditional Magyar influences and modern classical composers (BARTOK, STRAVINSKI...). Sophisticated meters are punctuated by wind instruments and piano, putting the stress on strange-sounding themes. "Live !" is a never-issued album, recorded at the famous French club A L'Ouest De La Grosne in 1976. Very uncommon, the band included then Fran‡ois "FATON" CAHEN (Keyboards), G‚rard BERTRAM (Bass), Didier LOCKWOOD (Violin) and Jean-My TRUONG (Drums). Regarding Yochk'o SEFFER, his departure to pursue a solo career has just been announced. A document not to be missed, both for its historical value and its great musicianship ! --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Zao - 'Z=7L' (Musea), March 10, 2008

By 

Mike Reed (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Z=7l (Audio CD)

Originally released in 1973, as this was Zao's first lp - featuring Francois Cahen (electric piano) and Yochk'o Seffer (clarinet, sax) just after they both left Magma following the release of the band's '1,001 Degrees Centigrades' album. Personally, 'Z=7L' is WAY too experimental for me. Almost painful to sit all the way through. Mauricia Platon's clearly over-the-top dominating vocals is showcased - especially on tracks "Marochsek", the jazzy "Atature" and really out-there "La Soupe". If you're a Magma fan, you should obviously get more out of this CD than I did. Seriously doubt I'll seek out anymore of Zao's music.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a truely unique album, May 13, 2009

By 

Bill Your 'Free Form FM Handi Cyber Print DJ ... (Mahwah, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Z=7L (Audio CD)

This band specializes in freak-jazz improvosations. They have a female singer, who does not use words, but sounds.

The music is dissonent, 70s style fusion, but with a lot of taste, refinement, and not a wiff of flash. They almost sound like Henry Cow, but their songs are more condenced, and Zao perfers longer, stretched out chords as opposed to quick changes for an improvasation vehicle. .

I have listened to other jazz like this (to a small degree, you could compare it to Leroy Jankens' structures, but this work is more fluid and organic, and stranger without consiously trying to be.

One word: Brilliant. Two more: buy it,

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the Zao Catalogue, March 12, 2008

By 

Speedy (Fl, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Z=7L (Audio CD)

I remember selling my copy of this first effort by Zao as a young kid looking for thrills in the Crimson/Yes/Genesis/Van der Graff style and not really liking this album back then. Now, much later and with a more mature perspective of creative music i absolutely love this album with it's completely original twist on the fusion thing. The singer (totally crazy gal!) helps in giving this album a unique sound not really found elsewhere (except maybe in Magma and related groups). Highly recommended. Check all of Yochk'o Seffer cds until 80-81 to dicover other related proyects (like the outstanding Neffesh Music).