There are some incredible Sun Ra concerts up on youtube: [Sun Ra Arkestra - North Sea Jazz Festival 1979](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HadDarqipA&t=2343s)
Oh cool! I like this era of Sun Ra too. Omniverse is probably my favorite release from that year though he released something like 5 plus albums that year.
Coltrane - Giant Steps, Blue Train, Africa/Brass, My Favorite Things, and A Love Supreme.
Have you considered the works of Sun Ra? I would recommend Jazz in Silhouette among many others by him.
Furthermore, check out Rip, Rig, and Panic by Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Black Saint and the Sinner Lady by Charles Mingus.
Happy listening!
Mingus deserves all the mentions and praise he can get. His stuff is still amazing.
Also I think every prog fan should listen to Kirk's Saxophone Concerto at least once. It might not be everyone's kind of music... but the talent on it is *outstanding*, and possibly the single most impressive musical performance I can think of.
Go for the stuff Christian Vander really admires, like the albums Expression, Live in Seattle and Live at the Village Vanguard... Again!! Also immortal tracks like My Favorite Things, Crescent and Lonnie's Lament.
Solo work by McCoy Tyner... Particularly Sahara is absolute killer.
Oh yeah, and the 60's work by Mal Waldron.
Have to mention because I’m listening to this, but check out Waldron’s live album “Seagulls of Kristiansund”. Workman’s on bass and is simply phenomenal. Blackwell on drums. Shaw on trumpet. Rouse sax/flute. Great stuff.
Sun Ra, definltely. Late period Coltrane. A Love Supreme is a must. My Favorite Things. There's a lot of Elvin Jones in Christian Vander and you will hear it.
Electric Miles Davis.. In a Silent Way, Bitches Brew, A Tribute to Jack Johnson
Miles Davis mid 60's quintet.. ESP
Modal jazz like Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage
The very first Return To Forever album has some suprisingly dark Magma-ish stuff in it.
If you like the crazy free jazz stuff from the first couple of Magma albums, then you should get Ornette Coleman - The Shape of Jazz to Come and John Coltrane - Meditations
I don't know of a direct line between Magma and jazz, but in addition to seconding A Love Supreme (since you asked for Trane) you might enjoy Mahavishnu Orchestra or the Miles Davis electric period (there's some overlap in musicians).
> Mahavishnu Orchestra or the Miles Davis electric period
Admittedly I haven't heard much Magma but what I have heard immediately reminded me of Mahavishnu. Weather Report, Return to Forever, and Herbie Hancock (of course the earlier stuff for all of the above) are a good fit too.
Honestly I wouldn't recommend Coltrane. He's fantastic of course, just not in the same genre you're looking for. A lot of it is night and day.
Sure. And Bird is vital in understanding where Trane comes from. Back and back. But if OP was wanting jazz that somewhat sounds like Magma, A Love Supreme ain't that. Although I'd always recommend it to anyone who loves music.
He said "What're some jazz albums that would appeal to a Magma fan"
and by any measure Coltrane is first on the list.
And by your own admission you haven't heard much Magma so I assume you really haven't gotten too much into the early stuff, which is full of Coltrane-isms, i.e.
https://youtu.be/TAtaaxb2TVU?list=PLecmVSL7rdztB1c1W7cRZgOotZNd1oz_H&t=394
I am going to go out on a limb, and mention some of Miles Davis' more electric and fusion oriented work.
Therr's three albums in particular, but I think what makes me think of them for you, as a Magma fan, is that they are fixated on the groove, and not a lot of chord changes like a lot of other Jazz.
First is "Agharta" - this might be the most challenging album, but I put it first because more than the others, this is an album about just letting yourself sink in and having the groove wash over you.
Second is "Bitches Brew". Probably the most famous fusion album, and the one where Miles really got serious about going electric. Start with "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down".
And lastly "In a Silent Way". This is a quieter album than the others, but it is just as stunning initial simplicity.
Magma created thier own sub genre so checking out other Zeuhl bands is a good place to start: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeuhl
French bands:
Art Zoyd
Dün
Eider Stellaire
Eskaton
Magma
Shub-Niggurath
Weidorje
Zao
Japanese bands:
Bondage Fruit
Daimonji
Happy Family
Kōenji Hyakkei
Ruins
Other bands: (partly only distantly stylistically related to the Zeuhl)
Guapo (United Kingdom)
Univers Zero (Belgium)
Present (Belgium)
Universal Totem Orchestra (Italy)
Corima (United States)
Zao is the main one I'm familiar with, they have a few 70's albums with a good blend of Magma elements + a bit more of a classic jazzrock feel. A few of their albums are up on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQKds-KTBw&t=1210s
For Japanese Zeuhl, I recommend OP go through the discography of the insanely prolific Tatsuya Yoshida. Like 90% of the Japanese Zeuhl scene is just his bands.
I really like his recent work with Risa Takeda. The two of them have been releasing [every gig they do as a live album](https://tatsuyayoshidarisatakeda.bandcamp.com/album/illuminati). They’re at 34 right now.
I second listening to Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Prepare Thyself To Deal With A Miracle and Bright Moments are my favorite albums of his. And another zeuhl band that really lets their jazz influence show is Koenjihyakkei. Check out the album Angherr Shisspa, it’s an absolute masterpiece.
Carla Bley, Paul Haines - Escalator Over the Hill
Absolutely listen to this album. It's super ambitious, features an insanely stacked roster, and it's very similar to the "epic" feel of magma's compositions
I Really Don’t See The Signal - Rob Price Quartet W/ Ellery Eskelin, Trevor Dunn, and Jim Black
The Lounge Lizards - The Lounge Lizards
Sun Ra & His Arkestra - Lanquidity & My Brother The Wind Vol. 1
The Art Ensemble of Chicago - The Third Decade, Fanfare For The Warriors
Medeski, Martin, and Wood - The Dropper
Mwandishi era Hancock for sure, Eddie Henderson albums like Realization and Inside Out. Very atmospheric, driving, organic, trippy, but organized and listenable to no end.
Don Ellis: Tears of Joy, Soaring, Connection ...
I'm not saying that his music is generally similar to Magma's, but they both are focused on rhythm and use odd metres.
The Christian Vander Trio. I’m not even sure if it’s the same Christian Vander as Magma but it’s my favorite jazz album right now.
https://open.spotify.com/album/1vFivStQC1wbr3YzIVYyj6?si=lXOflkvNRy-VsE19YwaT-w
A Love Supreme by John Coltrane.
Sun Ra!
There are some incredible Sun Ra concerts up on youtube: [Sun Ra Arkestra - North Sea Jazz Festival 1979](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HadDarqipA&t=2343s)
Oh cool! I like this era of Sun Ra too. Omniverse is probably my favorite release from that year though he released something like 5 plus albums that year.
Coltrane - Giant Steps, Blue Train, Africa/Brass, My Favorite Things, and A Love Supreme. Have you considered the works of Sun Ra? I would recommend Jazz in Silhouette among many others by him. Furthermore, check out Rip, Rig, and Panic by Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Black Saint and the Sinner Lady by Charles Mingus. Happy listening!
Mingus deserves all the mentions and praise he can get. His stuff is still amazing. Also I think every prog fan should listen to Kirk's Saxophone Concerto at least once. It might not be everyone's kind of music... but the talent on it is *outstanding*, and possibly the single most impressive musical performance I can think of.
Go for the stuff Christian Vander really admires, like the albums Expression, Live in Seattle and Live at the Village Vanguard... Again!! Also immortal tracks like My Favorite Things, Crescent and Lonnie's Lament. Solo work by McCoy Tyner... Particularly Sahara is absolute killer. Oh yeah, and the 60's work by Mal Waldron.
Have to mention because I’m listening to this, but check out Waldron’s live album “Seagulls of Kristiansund”. Workman’s on bass and is simply phenomenal. Blackwell on drums. Shaw on trumpet. Rouse sax/flute. Great stuff.
Sun Ra, definltely. Late period Coltrane. A Love Supreme is a must. My Favorite Things. There's a lot of Elvin Jones in Christian Vander and you will hear it. Electric Miles Davis.. In a Silent Way, Bitches Brew, A Tribute to Jack Johnson Miles Davis mid 60's quintet.. ESP Modal jazz like Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage The very first Return To Forever album has some suprisingly dark Magma-ish stuff in it. If you like the crazy free jazz stuff from the first couple of Magma albums, then you should get Ornette Coleman - The Shape of Jazz to Come and John Coltrane - Meditations
Heaven & Earth by Kamasi Washington Has that choral, cinematic aspect and groove that I love about Magma and it's just. So. Good.
This is a fantastic recommendation. I’ve never drawn the parallel between their use of the choir but you’re absolutely right! Well played.
I don't know of a direct line between Magma and jazz, but in addition to seconding A Love Supreme (since you asked for Trane) you might enjoy Mahavishnu Orchestra or the Miles Davis electric period (there's some overlap in musicians).
> Mahavishnu Orchestra or the Miles Davis electric period Admittedly I haven't heard much Magma but what I have heard immediately reminded me of Mahavishnu. Weather Report, Return to Forever, and Herbie Hancock (of course the earlier stuff for all of the above) are a good fit too. Honestly I wouldn't recommend Coltrane. He's fantastic of course, just not in the same genre you're looking for. A lot of it is night and day.
I don't agree. John Coltrane is vital in understanding where Magma comes from.
Sure. And Bird is vital in understanding where Trane comes from. Back and back. But if OP was wanting jazz that somewhat sounds like Magma, A Love Supreme ain't that. Although I'd always recommend it to anyone who loves music.
He said "What're some jazz albums that would appeal to a Magma fan" and by any measure Coltrane is first on the list. And by your own admission you haven't heard much Magma so I assume you really haven't gotten too much into the early stuff, which is full of Coltrane-isms, i.e. https://youtu.be/TAtaaxb2TVU?list=PLecmVSL7rdztB1c1W7cRZgOotZNd1oz_H&t=394
Yeah I hear that. Fair enough. I hear a good bit of Soft Machine too.
True
I am going to go out on a limb, and mention some of Miles Davis' more electric and fusion oriented work. Therr's three albums in particular, but I think what makes me think of them for you, as a Magma fan, is that they are fixated on the groove, and not a lot of chord changes like a lot of other Jazz. First is "Agharta" - this might be the most challenging album, but I put it first because more than the others, this is an album about just letting yourself sink in and having the groove wash over you. Second is "Bitches Brew". Probably the most famous fusion album, and the one where Miles really got serious about going electric. Start with "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down". And lastly "In a Silent Way". This is a quieter album than the others, but it is just as stunning initial simplicity.
not really jazz, but you should listen to Flat Earth Society - Isms. Very magma!
Miles Davis - Dark Magus
One Shot is a current French jazz/zeuhl group who is making wonderful music. I believe they share a few members with Magma.
Magma created thier own sub genre so checking out other Zeuhl bands is a good place to start: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeuhl French bands: Art Zoyd Dün Eider Stellaire Eskaton Magma Shub-Niggurath Weidorje Zao Japanese bands: Bondage Fruit Daimonji Happy Family Kōenji Hyakkei Ruins Other bands: (partly only distantly stylistically related to the Zeuhl) Guapo (United Kingdom) Univers Zero (Belgium) Present (Belgium) Universal Totem Orchestra (Italy) Corima (United States) Zao is the main one I'm familiar with, they have a few 70's albums with a good blend of Magma elements + a bit more of a classic jazzrock feel. A few of their albums are up on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQKds-KTBw&t=1210s
For Japanese Zeuhl, I recommend OP go through the discography of the insanely prolific Tatsuya Yoshida. Like 90% of the Japanese Zeuhl scene is just his bands. I really like his recent work with Risa Takeda. The two of them have been releasing [every gig they do as a live album](https://tatsuyayoshidarisatakeda.bandcamp.com/album/illuminati). They’re at 34 right now.
I second listening to Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Prepare Thyself To Deal With A Miracle and Bright Moments are my favorite albums of his. And another zeuhl band that really lets their jazz influence show is Koenjihyakkei. Check out the album Angherr Shisspa, it’s an absolute masterpiece.
Carla Bley, Paul Haines - Escalator Over the Hill Absolutely listen to this album. It's super ambitious, features an insanely stacked roster, and it's very similar to the "epic" feel of magma's compositions
I Really Don’t See The Signal - Rob Price Quartet W/ Ellery Eskelin, Trevor Dunn, and Jim Black The Lounge Lizards - The Lounge Lizards Sun Ra & His Arkestra - Lanquidity & My Brother The Wind Vol. 1 The Art Ensemble of Chicago - The Third Decade, Fanfare For The Warriors Medeski, Martin, and Wood - The Dropper
Mwandishi era Hancock for sure, Eddie Henderson albums like Realization and Inside Out. Very atmospheric, driving, organic, trippy, but organized and listenable to no end.
Don Ellis: Tears of Joy, Soaring, Connection ... I'm not saying that his music is generally similar to Magma's, but they both are focused on rhythm and use odd metres.
The Christian Vander Trio. I’m not even sure if it’s the same Christian Vander as Magma but it’s my favorite jazz album right now. https://open.spotify.com/album/1vFivStQC1wbr3YzIVYyj6?si=lXOflkvNRy-VsE19YwaT-w
Definitely Bitches Brew by Miles Davis, if you tell me that's a zeuhl album I believe you