Ragga And The Jack Magic Orchestra

[d.a.walker]

I came across their album through a friend who was working for EMI back in 1997, who was kind enough to actually give me a copy of the album, as in his words "it was unlikely going to be released in the UK after all."

It's one of my all time favourites now, and an album I have grown to love even more now than I did at the time. It's sort of like Kate Bush colliding with Plaid, having intimate relations with a steam engine and giving birth to a mechanical doll. It is that weird!! It doesn't sound like an album that is 10 years old, which might have been the problem back in 1997...

Their Icelandic singer, Ragga, was known for singing on Tricky's debut album and on 808state's album Don Solaris, and they did a rather strange tour of the UK where she wore a mermaid's tail on stage every now and then.

They did get a couple of singles released in the UK I think but I'm pretty sure the album never turned up due to EMI's disasterous 1997.

Anyway, one of the bands members has finally surfaced again and very kindly posted their 2 music videos:

Where Are They Now

This has to be one of my all time favourite songs, it's just absolutely huge in sound!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaswPdZ2sio

Man In The Moon (Mamma)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slkBNvpBqbQ

And the videos are just as bizarre as the group!!! If anyone wants more info/treats, send me a message and I will get the candy ready

[aermancer]

I think it's a fucking shame that musicians like Ragga and Magga are virtually unknown. Magga's album went completely unnoticed in 1998 as well, it's probably my favorite album of all time.

[d.a.walker]

There is a second Ragga album which came out around 2000 called Ragga and The Body Orchestra, but I have had no luck at all in tracking it down which is a total pain!!!

[aermancer]

there's like 10 on amazon.co.uk

i can order if you can't, i love Jack Magic

[aermancer]

also, i just listened to Circling of the Square from Human Body Orchestra and it sounds really Danielle Dax-ish

[aermancer]

i LOVE Man in the moon!

[d.a.walker]

It's hard for me to pick a favourite off the album but I would go for Underwater and Passion For Life, the latter because Ragga's voice is just epic on it!!! I just love the whole mechanical sound of the album, it sounds like clockwork!

[aermancer]

I just got Human Body Orchestra in the mail today and i'm listening to Circling the Square. It's a LOT less poppy than Jack Magic and quite obtuse. Whether or not that's better or worse i guess we'll find out because the only song i'm still warmed up 100% to on Jack Magic is Man In The Moon.

[aermancer]

it actually sounds quite alot like Medulla-ish. Although this was released first so it's the other way around.

[aermancer]

i can upload the Ghost Story music video as well if you want me to, it came with the CD.

[aermancer]

according to Tonlist.is, Ragnhildur Gislasdottir will be 51 years old tomorrow

[sound world]

OMG,that's,like,so,like,OLD,like (as) !!
I mean,people can't be creative after the age of 23,can they???

[aermancer]

OMG,that's,like,so,like,OLD,like (as) !!
I mean,people can't be creative after the age of 23,can they???

i know right, she might as well fucking kill herself. i'm throwing the CD in the trash and deleting her out of my iTunes as we speak.

[blue]

[d.a.walker]

Hell, I'm 32, I may as well follow suit

It's disturbing the whole aging thing, as the late great bette davis once said, "it's not for sissies"!!!!

It really kicks in at 30 though, arthritis, going into rooms and not remembering why you went in there, mistaking kylie minogue songs for sheryl crow, tropical moments, male pattern baldness (thank god the only person who went bald in my family was Aunty Molly - only because she washed her hair with carpet cleaner during WWII). Oh the list of incontinental joys is never ending....