Magma (band)
Magma | |
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Magma performing live in Strasbourg, France, 2007 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Paris, France |
Genres | Zeuhl, progressive rock, avant-rock, jazz fusion, art rock |
Years active | 1969–1983, 1996–present |
Labels | Seventh |
Website |
www |
Members |
Christian Vander Stella Vander Isabelle Feuillebois Rudy Blas Benoit Alziary Hervé Aknin Jérome Martineau-Ricotti Philippe Bussonnet |
Past members |
Francis Moze Jannick "Janik" Top Klaus Blasquiz Didier Lockwood Bernard Paganotti Benoît Widemann Teddy Lasry Himiko Paganotti Antoine Paganotti Emmanuel Borghi Bruno Ruder Laurent Thibault Jérémie Ternoy Jim Grandcamp James MacGaw |
Magma is a French progressive rock band founded in Paris in 1969 by classically trained drummer Christian Vander, who claimed as his inspiration a "vision of humanity's spiritual and ecological future" that profoundly disturbed him. In the course of their first album, the band tells the story of a group of people fleeing a doomed Earth to settle on the planet Kobaïa. Later, conflict arises when the Kobaïans—descendants of the original colonists—encounter other Earth refugees.
Vander invented a constructed language, Kobaïan, in which most lyrics are sung. In a 1977 interview with Vander and long-time Magma vocalist Klaus Blasquiz, Blasquiz said that Kobaïan is a "phonetic language made by elements of the Slavonic and Germanic languages to be able to express some things musically. The language has of course a content, but not word by word."[1] Vander himself has said that, "When I wrote, the sounds [of Kobaïan] came naturally with it—I didn’t intellectualise the process by saying 'Ok, now I’m going to write some words in a particular language', it was really sounds that were coming at the same time as the music."[2] Later albums tell different stories set in more ancient times; however, the Kobaïan language remains an integral part of the music.
In 1986, the French label Seventh Records was founded in order to (re-)publish Magma's and Vander's work. Over the years, Seventh has also released albums by related artists such as Stella Vander, Patrick Gauthier and Collectif Mu.[3]
Legacy
The band is widely considered to be musically adventurous and imaginative[4][5][6] among music critics. Magma makes extensive use of the choral format, particularly reminiscent of the classical composer Carl Orff.[7] Magma's music is also highly influenced by jazz saxophone player John Coltrane, and Vander has said that "it is still Coltrane who actually gives me the real material to work on, to be able to move on".[8]
So many of the musicians who have played with Magma have formed their own solo projects and/or spinoff acts that the Kobaïan term Zeuhl has come to refer to the musical style of these bands and the French jazz fusion/symphonic rock scene that grew around them.[9] Besides Christian Vander, other well-known Magma alumni include the violinist Didier Lockwood, bassist-composer Jannick "Janik" Top,[10] and spinoff act Weidorje.[11]
Critical reception
The band has a number of high-profile fans. Punk rock singer Johnny Rotten,[12] prolific metal musician Kristoffer Rygg,[13] Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree,[14] and Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth[15] have all stated their admiration of the band.
In the 1980s, British World champion snooker player Steve Davis declared himself a passionate follower of the band since his youth and used some of his winnings to promote a series of concerts by Magma in London.[16]
Television journalist Antoine de Caunes wrote a biography of the band entitled Magma.[17][18]
Discography
Studio albums
- 1970: Magma (reissued as Kobaïa)
- 1971: 1001° Centigrades
- 1973: Mëkanïk Dëstruktïẁ Kömmandöh initial copies of the CD included a vinyl rip of the album with a different version of the album as a bonus track
- 1974: Ẁurdah Ïtah (originally released as 'Tristan & Iseult' by Christian Vander)
- 1974: Köhntarkösz initial copies of the CD included a vinyl rip of the album with a different version of the album as a bonus track
- 1976: Üdü Ẁüdü
- 1978: Attahk
- 1984: Merci
- 2004: K.A. (Köhntarkösz Anteria)
- 2009: Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré (CD + DVD)
- 2012: Félicité Thösz
Live albums
- 1975: Live/Hhaï
- 1977: Inédits
- 1981: Retrospektïẁ (Parts I+II)
- 1981: Retrospektïẁ (Part III)
- 1989: Akt X: Mekanïk Kommandöh (earlier studio recording of Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh from 1973) [different from the bonus track mentioned above]
- 1992: Akt I: Les Voix de Magma (from August 2, 1992 at Douarnenez)
- 1994: Akt IV: Theatre Du Taur Concert, 1975 (from September 27, 1975)
- 1995: Akt V: Concert Bobino 1981 (from May 16, 1981)
- 1996: Akt VIII: Bruxelles 1971 (from November 12, 1971 at Theatre 140)
- 1996: Akt IX: Opéra De Reims, 1976 (from March 2, 1976)
- 1999: Akt XIII: BBC 1974 Londres (from March 14, 1974 at the London BBC studios)
- 2001: Trilogie Theusz Hamtaahk (Concert du Trianon), CD + DVD
- 2008: Akt XV: Bourges, 1979 (from April 17, 1979)
- 2009: Live in Tokyo 2005
- 2014: Zühn Wöhl Ünsai - Live 1974 (2 CD; Radio Bremen recordings)
EPs
- 1998: Floë Ëssi/Ëktah
- 2014: Rïah Sahïltaahk
- 2015: Šlaǧ Tanƶ
Compilations/Boxsets/Other material
- 1972: The Unnamables (studio album released under the alias 'Univeria Zekt')
- 1986: Mythes et Légendes Vol. I (compilation)
- 1992: Akt II: Sons: Document 1973 (recorded in 1973 at Le Manor, featuring a scaled-back line-up of Christian Vander, Klaus Blasquiz, Jannick Top and René Garber)
- 1997: Kompila
- 1998: Simples
- 2008: Archiẁ I & II (included in the "Studio Zünd: 40 Ans d'Evolution" boxset)
- 2008: Studio Zünd: 40 Ans d'Evolution (12 disc box set, includes Kobaïa to K.A. plus Archiẁ I & II)
- 2015: Kohnzert Zund (12 CD; Live recordings, from 'Magma Live' to 'Trilogie Au Trianon' plus 'Triton Zund' and 'Alhambra 2009' )
Videos
- 1995: Akt VI: Concert Bobino 1981 (DVD) also released on VHS video cassette
- 2001: Trilogie Theusz Hamtaahk (Concert du Trianon), CD + DVD
- 2006: Mythes et Légendes Epok 1, DVD
- 2006: Mythes et Légendes Epok 2, DVD
- 2007: Mythes et Légendes Epok 3, DVD
- 2008: Mythes et Légendes Epok 4, DVD
- 2013: Mythes et Légendes Epok 5, DVD
Personnel
Members
Magma has been the birthplace of many French jazz musicians. We can cite:
- Violinist Didier Lockwood
- Guitarists Claude Engel, Claude Olmos, Gabriel Federow, Marc Fosset, James MacGaw, Jean-Luc Chevalier (actuel guitariste du groupe Tri Yann), Jim Grandcamp and Rudy Blas
- Bassists Jannick Top, Bernard Paganotti, Guy Delacroix, Francis Moze, Laurent Thibault, Michel Hervé, Dominique Bertram, Marc Éliard (actuel bassiste du groupe Indochine), Philippe Bussonnet
- Keyboardists Benoît Widemann, Michel Graillier, Gérard Bikialo, Jean Luc Manderlier, François "Faton" Cahen (ancien leader du groupe Zao), Guy Khalifa, Sofia Domancich, Patrick Gauthier, Simon Goubert, Pierre-Michel Sivadier, Jean Pol Asseline, Jean Pierre Fouquey, Frédéric D'Oelsnitz, Benoît Alziari (plus vibraphone and Theremin), Emmanuel Borghi, Bruno Ruder
- Saxophonists Teddy Lasry, Richard Raux, Alain Guillard, René Garber and Yochk’o Seffer
- Trumpeters Louis Toesca and Yvon Guillard
- Male vocalists Klaus Blasquiz, Christian Vander, Guy Khalifa, Antoine Paganotti and Hervé Aknin
- Female vocalists Stella Vander, Isabelle Feuillebois, Maria Popkiewicz, Liza de Luxe, Himiko Paganotti and Sandrine Fougère
- Drummers and percussionists Christian Vander, Michel Garrec, Doudou Weiss, Simon Goubert, Clément Bailly, Claude Salmiéri and François Laizeau.[19]
Period | Formation |
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1969 |
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April 1969 – August 1969 |
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August 1969 – October 1969 |
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October 1969 – January 1970 |
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January 1970 – August 1970 |
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October 1970 – December 1970 |
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mid January 1971 – end December 1971 |
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end December 1971 – beginning January 1972 |
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beginning January 1972 – end December 1972 |
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end December 1972 – mid January 1973 |
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mid January 1973 – March 1973 |
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March 1973 – May 1973 |
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May 1973 – end December 1973 |
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January 1974 – March 1974 |
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March 1974 – August 1974 |
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September 1974 – November 1974 |
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January 1975 – August 1975 |
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September 1975 – February 1976 |
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March 1976 – September 1976 (first split) |
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November 1976 – January 1977 (first reformation) |
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January 1977 – mid 1977 |
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mid 1977 – end 1977 |
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January 1978 – mid 1978 |
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mid 1978 – beginning 1979 (second split) |
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mid 1979 – end 1979 (second reformation) |
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end 1979 – January 1980 |
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January 1980 – June 1980 |
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June 1980 – end 1980 (reunion of old members for 3 shows) |
The following musicians are not on the record sold:
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end 1980 – mid 1981 |
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mid 1981 – beginning 1982 |
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beginning 1982 – mid 1982 |
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mid 1982 – beginning 1983 |
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beginning 1983 – end 1983 |
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end 1983 – end 1984 |
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end 1984 – beginning 1985 |
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1986 – 1990 solo projects of Christian Vander, Magma on stand by | |
February 1990 with OFFERING |
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1991 |
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1992 |
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1992 – 1996 |
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1996 |
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1997 |
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October 1997 – 1998 |
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1999 – 2001 |
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2002 |
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March 2003 – 2005 |
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beginning February 2006 – 2008 |
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beginning February 2008 – 2012 |
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beginning 2012 – present |
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Timeline
See also
References
- ↑ "Da Zeuhl Wortz Mekanïk is kobaïan for Magma,". Danbbs.dk. 1996-08-20. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
- ↑ Interview by David McKenna and Ludovic Merle, translated by David McKenna (2009-11-12). "Magma, c'est moi". Rockfort.info.
- ↑ "Seventh Records". Seventh Records. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
- ↑ Ankeny, Jason. "Magma - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ "Ground and Sky review - Magma - K.A". Progreviews.com. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ "Ground and Sky review - Magma - Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh". Progreviews.com. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ François Couture. "Wurdah Ïtah/Tristan et Iseult - Christian Vander, Magma : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ "Christian Vander Interview by George Allen and Robert Pearson, April 22, 1995". Furious.com. 1995-04-22. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
- ↑ "Zeuhl, a progressive rock music sub-genre [sic]". Progarchives.com. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ Jannick Top. "Jannick Top - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ "WEIDORJE music, discography, MP3, videos and reviews". Progarchives.com. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ "Interviews | "The Public Image", January 2004". John Lydon.Com. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ "Stories: Ulver - Born Again From The Merciless Mother". Avant-garde Metal. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ "Perfect 10: Steven Wilson interview and photograph". Cartiledgeworld.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ "Seminal Progressive Rock Pioneers Magma Confirmed For Mikael Åkerfeldt's Curated 2014 Roadburn Event - Roadburn". roadburn.com. Retrieved 2013-12-17.
- ↑ Lee Honeyball - The Observer (2004-03-07). "My obsession". London: Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ Magma (Rock et folk) (French Edition). "Magma (Rock et folk) (French Edition): Antoine de Caunes: 9782226005632: Amazon.com: Books". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ "Antoine de Caunes, fan de Magma". Leparisien.fr. 2009-02-13. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ Les Musiciens de la Zeuhl : http://robert.guillerault.free.fr/magma/index2.htm
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Magma (band). |
- Seventh Records, Christian Vander's record label
- Utopic Records, Jannick Top's record label
- Magma discography at MusicBrainz
- Magma at AllMusic