Yochk'o Seffer - 1976 - Neffesh Music: Ima

Yochk'o Seffer

1976

Neffesh Music: Ima

01. Ima (19:50)

02. Ofek (8:12)

03. Noce Chimique (12:18)

Bass Guitar - Dominique Bertram

Cello - Claudine Lasserre

Drums, Percussion - Manu

Keyboards, Saxophone, Vocals - Yochk'o Seffer

Viola - Françoise Douchet

Violin [1st] - Michèle Margand

Violin [2nd] - Anne Méhat

It was great to finally spend some time with this recording. While I much prefer the followup "Ghilgoul" there's lots to enjoy here. Three long tracks make up this album released in 1977 and it's pretty cool to see some of the names involved here from Seffer's former band ZAO. Mauricia Platon adds vocal melodies but she's not nearly as upfront as she was on ZAO's debut. Still it's great to hear her. Dominique Bertram on bass played on some later ZAO releases. We also get that all female string quartet from ZAO's "Shekina" album. On drums is Manu Katche who played with Jan Garbarek. A solid 4 star album in my opinion but something is lacking personally for me to up this rating.

"Ima" is the almost 20 minute side long suite. Quite abstract sounding if you ask me. Humming sounds as female vocal melodies join in. Sax joins in after 2 1/2 minutes. Kind of an eerie vibe here as it plays out. Bass 15 minutes in as the vocals step aside changing the flavour somewhat. Some new experimental sounds start to come and go before 17 1/2 minutes. Quite avant sounding here to the end.

"Ofek" opens with sax, female vocal melodies and more. Kind of melancholic before the tempo picks up as drums, keys, bass and more jump in as the sax and vocals step aside. Love the drumming, so intricate. The sax is back before 3 1/2 minutes. The string quartet arrives a minute later. Nice. The sax is back before 6 minutes as the drums pound away.

"Noce Chimique" opens with drums and bass as keys and sax join in. Female vocal melodies follow as we get runs of sound here. The vocals become more of the focus before 1 1/2 minutes. Some discordant piano before 3 minutes as the vocals stop. Strings before 4 1/2 minutes along with some nice bass lines. Strings only at 6 minutes then a minute later sax, drums, bass and more take over. I like this section. Vocals back to the fore around 11 minutes.

ZAO - 1977 - Typhareth

ZAO

1977

Typhareth

01. Merci Jacky

02. Typhareth (Beauté)

03. Troupeau De Bisons Sous Un Crane

04. Binah (Comprehension Feminine)

05. Les Temps Changent

- François'Faton'Cahen / piano, electric piano, synthesizers

- Hamid Belhocine / trombone

- François Debricon / saxophone, flutes

- Manu Katché / drums

- Michel Seguin / drums 'toubabou', percussion

- Gérard Prévost / electric bass

This is the only ZAO record not to have the dynamic duo of Cahen and Seffer on it, as Seffer left to go solo after the very successful "Kawana" album. Lockwood and Truong would also leave meaning that only Cahen and Prevost are left from the "Kawana" lineup. Cahen would be responsible for all the music and arrangements on this album. All traces of Zeuhl are gone, in fact this is a fairly light Jazz record. It's so much more though as I found out. There are so many intricate sounds to enjoy and lots of variety as well.This was just a pleasure to listen to.

"Merci Jacky" opens with percussion and keys as bass comes in. The bass becomes quite prominant with Prevost offering up some flanged-bass playing as Tom Ozric already mentioned in his review. The keys start to stand out after 2 minutes. Sax before 3 minutes and guitar a minute after that. I love the sound 3 minutes in and later at 5 1/2 minutes in.The sax is blasting away before 5 minutes. So many intricate sounds and the band interplay is pretty amazing. "Typhareth(Beaute)" opens with some atmosphere until we start to get a reserved melody of drums, keys and bass. Flute arrives before 2 minutes as we get such a beautiful melody. The sound is building slowly. Sax and trombone after 4 minutes. Just a gorgeous song that is as smooth as glass.

"Troupeau De Bisons Sous Un Crane" opens with percussion and clapping as drums, bass and horns come in. This is a fun, uplifting song to brighten your day. So many intricate sounds flood the soundscape. "Binah(Comprehension Feminine)" is a heavenly song featuring piano and flute. Sax after 3 minutes. "Les Temps Changent" opens with the sounds of a party going on as percussion and keys play. Sax comes in as the party sounds leave. Check out the piano as bass and drums play on. Amazing sound ! These guys are cooking. I just realized i'm head banging to a Jazz tune. Whoa ! Some screaming sax 6 1/2 minutes in.

I love this band and feel that this is a must for Jazz fans out there.