Zao - Z=7 (Reissue) (1973/1993)

In the early 70s, as Magma became increasingly the vision of Christian Vander, pianist Francois Cahen and saxophonist Yochk'o Seffer left to form their own band, Zao. This, being their first album, is very much in the Magma vein. Female vocals are supplied by Mauricia Platon and have the over-the-top delivery similar to Stella Vander.

Given when Cahen and Seffer chose to split from Magma, it is not surprising that they favor the jazzy sound that the parent band was to leave behind. Truong's drumming is in a jazzy vein, and the addition of violin provides a bit of a fusion tinge. Given Platon's vocals, though, it's hard to consider this anything but a Zeuhl album. Tracks like "Ataturc" are very overt in their Magma influence, sounding like an out-take from the first album. "La Soupe" gets into a Magma-style repetitive vibe supported mainly by Cahen's piano.

There are differences, of course. Prolific French bassist Joel Dugrenot does not tend to be as crunchy as either Jannik Top or Bernard Paganotti. Also, where Magma's early music is often more doomy, Zao seems like very happy and bouncy Zeuhl. Lastly, while Magma sang in the Kobaian language, here Platon simply vocalises, allowing her emotion to come across without words. Despite these differences, Zao's debut is very much related to the Magma sound, and is a logical continuation of that early work.