Üdü Ẁüdü Google translate

One of my prized cassettes (yes I said cassettes) in my collection is Magma's Udu Wudu (the W has a V sound) and I found it in the cheap cassette display at the local record store. I found it along with Attahk and their live album. Total spent $10.00. Magma is French and no I cannot understand their lyrics to the songs. Some of the lyrics are mixed with French and their own creation. At first it may be a little weird but it sounds great.  

When I saw Magma live in New York City and at Nearfest (NorthEast Art Rock Festival) I was just so awestruck by the musicianship. They were great. I did not understand the words, but it was awesome. What I loved about Magma is they did not pigeonhole their music to one genre or style. There is many moments of Jazz, Rock, Opera, Classical and even Avant-garde. The music is unique. I was giving the album a listen this morning and I was amazed how it all comes together. I was more amazed that I liked it at first listen many years ago. It still sounds great and it welcomes the most adventurous listener.   

Each song is unique and could be a story on its own. I liked that about the album. It feels like your on a journey into space and you have no idea where you are going. I like that fact one minute the band can head in one direction and the next you could be into something completely different. I like that about music. The multi-layered or the crossing styles and boundaries. Put it all together and you have something so unique it begs for another listen. The heavy keyboards or the Operatic singing is something that makes no sense. Yes, it's the 70's, but they are making something so futuristic that you loose yourself in the music. 

I can just remember my first listen I was dumbfounded. I told a friend about them and he laughed. It's an acquired taste for sure. Reading the reviews on Progarchives tell me that they loved it as much as I did, but still confused. They mention that the albums use of heavy keyboards makes the album. The changes in everything make it fun and engaging. "Troll's Dance (Troller Tanz)" with its heavy keyboard and way out singing is a great example. You hear Progressive Rock moments and then odd singing with Opera mixed in for good measure. Some spoken word in for good measure. 

Christian Vander's drumming is something you will be talking about. It is not your average playing. He plays with so much feeling it feels like he is an actor on stage playing some important Shakespeare roll.  Most of the songs feature great use of bass, keyboards and drums. It is sometimes so hard understand that You have to listen to it again. I think that is the hook that they want. To break apart and give it another listen. The last song on the album is almost eighteen minutes of greatness and oddness. "De Futura" has everything the album needs and more. 

Magma are unique, odd and overall very interesting. I love their music and very few of my friends understand the appeal. I do remember one day that they were going to tour the US for the first time in a while and support a documentary of their music and lives and my friend was super-psyched to see them. He even tagged us in a post and knew we were the only ones who would love this and totally understand the cultish following of the band. I mean they had me at the logo (which is above). How cool is that. Great music from a band that you have to shake your head to figure out. By the way, good luck trying to buy their records in the US, they are quite hard to locate at a decent price.  Enjoy where-ever you can find their awesome music.