OFF: Magma

[david hall]

The Magma LP reminded me of the Space Ritual in some ways - perhaps it was
Udu Wudu. If I can get my hands on a copy I'll let you know.

Dave

np: Stevie Wonder - Innervisions
-----Original Message-----
From: K Henderson <henderson.120 at OSU.EDU>
To: BOC-L at LISTSERV.SPC.EDU <BOC-L at LISTSERV.SPC.EDU>
Date: 12 April 2000 15:53
Subject: Re: OFF: Magma


>Dave asked....
>
>>Years ago I heard an LP by Magma (1981 actually in Edinburgh after the HW
>Sonic >Attack tour). Blackish cover featuring gargoyles? and the band's
name
>in red.
>
>Udu Wudu perhaps?  The Attahk cover had those weird Giger dudes on it, but
>I'm sure the band's name wasn't in red.
>
>>I remember being seriously impressed; when I finally got round to buying
>some of >their stuff (Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh) in 1988 what a shock!
>(Andy G'b could >excommunicate me from the CD Services mailing list for
>this!) Ugh crap. A clunky >'oribble thing, badly executed, second division
>Amon Duul 2 >wannabes...pretentious poorly played kak...hello, hello...who
>let the cat in, >blimey it's Stella Vander.
>>I dug out MDK last week put it on the turntable and gave it a listen; time
>hasn't >improved it.
>>Some questions for the good people of the BOC-L.
>>1. Did I pick a stinker?
>
>Well, I guess you and I are the only ones, but I don't like MDK much
either.
>Most of the Magma-heads on rmp (where I usually don't fit in too well
>anyway) think it's the best damn thing ever made.
>
>>2. What was the name of that Magma LP that I heard in 81 and is it
>different from >MDK?
>
>If it were Udu Wudu (from 1976), than yes, a lot different.
>
>>3. What is the best Magma?
>
>Udu Wudu is my favourite...it has a sort of parallel feel to Space Ritual
>blanga, esp. during the side-long "De Futura" space jam. The bassist
Jannick
>Top doing an "alternate universe" rendition of the rumbling, scary bass
>blanga.  Totally different sound...demonic almost.  Brilliant!  100%
>pretentious too...but in a 'good' way.  :)
>
>Kohntarkosz is the other album that's usually cited to be among their best,
>and I do like that one quite a lot...far more than MDK anyway.  Live Hhai
>(which exists in both single CD form, and (from what I hear) much better
>quality double CD form) includes alternate versions of both the MDK and
>Kohntark (retitled thusly) epics.
>Pretty good.  The Christian Vander 'solo' album, the soundtrack to some
>version of Tristan et Isolde, now titled Wurdah Itah is more similar to MDK
>(although lots of short tracks instead of giant pieces).  Hit and miss for
me.
>
>This stuff is all from their 'classic' period from 1973-75 or so.  Udu Wudu
>was 1976 and their transition (I would guess) into what became the 'gospel'
>Magma of the late 70s (and judging by this 1981 video I've just
>seen...thanks Karen) and early 80s.  The album Attahk (1978) I quite like
>also, even though it's both jazzier and (as I said) kinda like 'gospel.'
>Vander and cohorts go over the top a bit (nothing surprising there) with
the
>falsetto voices and quasi-spiritual revival-ing....but I like it in limited
>doses.  The second hour of the video is too much of a dose, and it got a
>little tired for me.
>
>I'm not sure what the history has been since then...they put out some
>'Retrospectiw' discs (three parts, I and II together) which are actually
>'original' recordings I believe.  And then a 'Merci' live show (?), which
>doesn't rate too highly with other fans.  And then the recent reformation
of
>a new version of the band that recently came to the US to do four shows.  I
>saw them at ProgFest, and even though they played material entirely from
>MDK, Kohntarkosz, and Hhai, I thought that they were the most amazing thing
>I'd ever seen.  The new bassist Phillipe Bussonet (?) was out of this
>world!!  And Vander is a fabulous drummer...he looks completely unorthodox
>(kinda like Keith Moon), but he's always right on.  And he 'directs' the
>band from his drum kit in a strange way that I can't describe.
>
>The only really new thing they recorded was a CD-single (name escapes me)
>that I hear is great.  I heard rumours of a new album, but then I've also
>heard rumours that their breakup is once again imminent.  So who knows?
>Andy G'b might.  :)
>
>Most of that's probably right...feel free to correct me/fill in details
anyone
>
>Grakkl (FAA)
>