Customer Reviews

Z=7L

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

 

 

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.

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,

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).