About 4 years ago, I revisited Zao's 4th album Kawana and expressed my disappointment at how ordinary the fusion was for such a great band. Shekina is the transitional album between their Zeuhl roots and garden variety fusion ending. But this isn't average at all - rather it smokes throughout. The rhythms still have traces of Zeuhl left in them, and Seffer's sax is more inspirational than annoying. They brought along an all-female string quartet that Seffer was using for his solo band, and they offer a unique chamber counterpoint. Bassist Gerard Provost and drummer Jean-My Truong are as crisp as expected. Francois Cahen's electric piano provides a fine melodic balance. Excellent album overall, with the final 18 minutes of Side 1 as the highlight.
Ownership: LP: 1975 RCA. Single sleeve. Found this copy at the Sound Garden in Baltimore last year (2021) that came with that large haul while there on business. This replaced the Musea CD that I picked up in 1995 and was my introduction to the album. The CD offers the usual great history but nothing else.
12//95; 3//13; 12//14; 12/12/21 (LP acquire); 12/2/22 (new entry)
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