MAGMA — Magma (aka Kobaïa) (review)

MAGMA — Magma (aka Kobaïa) album cover Album · 1970 · Jazz Related Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Miler72
This was the double album debut from Magma. At this early stage they were basically a jazz rock group who happened to use Christian Vander's imaginary Kobaian language, and strange vocalizations heard periodically throughout the album. The Kobain mythology already starts here (in which I'm not an expert, unlike some of the Magma faithful), but the Zeuhl elements in the music hasn't fully developed (that would have to wait until 1973 with Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh). Stella Vander has yet to become a member of the band (apparently she recorded some pop-oriented singles around the mid '60s in her teens that give absolutely no clue what she'd be doing in the '70s). Also the band feature Francis Moze on bass, who appeared on Gong's Flying Teapot, and later on, Gazeuse (Expresso for American buyers). I have to say this double album is a prime example of the band biting off a bit more than they could chew. Sure there's some fantastic moments, but there also what sounds like filler to my ears. I do like the fact flute is used, which is not typical for Magma, plus there's more guitar than usual (guitar usually never played much a role in Magma's music, perhaps because Christian Vander's jazz-influenced approach). It's not bad, but sounds like room for improvement to be made here, and improve they did, so this debut probably isn't the best place to start if you're not familiar with Magma.
Share this review

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Alberto Nemo, Claudio Milano (with borda), Niccolò Clemente : Frattura, Comparsa, Dissolvenza Jazz Related Improv/Composition
CLAUDIO MILANO (NICHELODEON)
Buy this album from MMA partners
Shapes of Silence (live) World Fusion
ALEPH QUINTET
Buy this album from MMA partners
Horizons Held Close Jazz Related Improv/Composition
TRANCE MAP (EVAN PARKER AND MATTHEW WRIGHT)
Buy this album from MMA partners
Puttin' On the Ritz Classic (1920s) Jazz
THE NEW WONDERS
Buy this album from MMA partners
異響同塵~Different echoes in the same dust~ Jazz Related Improv/Composition
TOSHI TSUCHITORI 土取利行
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Puttin' On The Ritz
THE NEW WONDERS
js· 12 hours ago
Wet Weather Wet
THE WRONG OBJECT
js· 1 day ago
Michael Kiwanuka - Lowdown (parts i and ii)
MICHAEL KIWANUKA
js· 1 day ago
Notbad
PEELA
js· 2 days ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us