Univeria Zekt - Univeria Zekt (72) - 7/10
Looking at the people in this band, one could say that this record could have been credited to Magma instead of a new band. Univeria Zekt was released after Magma's 1001 Centigrades, and the instrumentation and sound is almost the same here. The music is also still very much in the jazz vein, but significantly happier and more light-hearted than the Magma records released in the same period. But the complexity is outstanding, as on all Magma records I own. Side A of the LP is almost exclusively composed by Teddy Lasry, the flute player, and is rather good. Every time Klaus Blasquiz sings, however, the sound changes into something indefinably "commercial". Christian Vander's cacophonic closing track saves side A from being only above average. Side B is another story. It's entirely composed by the ingenius Vander, and... well, is excellent. Still with a much happier atmosphere than 1001 Centigrades all right, but I like all of it a lot. Christian Vander comes up with some class screams that should create some laughs if you put them on in a party. Some simple, but nice, chanting by Blasquiz supported by acoustic guitar finishes the album. I still think that this early incarnation of Magma (or Univeria Zekt) was the most interesting. This record doesn't show them from their best and most serious side, but is well worth having anyway - even if it lasts for only 34 minutes. If you're crazy about 1001 Centigrades and Magma: Get it.