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.
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