History Paga Group

Out of the ashes of WEIDORJE arose PAGA.

Although the first of the Paganotti albums is listed as BERNARD PAGANOTTI's "Paga" and the subsequent "Haunted" and "Gnosis" are listed under the different project name of PAGA GROUP, the three are sometimes referred to under the label PAGA and are seen as a trilogy, but PAGA is sometimes seen as a continuation of WEIDORJE (which would sort of make it a quadrilogy). After the bassist and composer Bernard Paganotti had worked with MAGMA (1976 -77 albums) and formed WEIDORJE (album release - 1978) for a sole effort with the keyboardist Patrick Gauthier, who had been keyboardist with MAGMA (and HELDON), he composed and released an album utilising fellow WEIDORJE founder, Gauthier. This album was released as BERNARD PAGANOTTI - "Paga" (1985). Other WEIDORJE alumni also contributed to the project, including the legendary Jean Phillipe-Goude, Allain and Yvon Guillard, as well as Kirt Rust.

After "Paga," the project led to PAGA GROUP. PAGA GROUP released two albums, "Haunted" (1988) and "Gnosis" (1993). Not only is PAGA GROUP a continuation of the original "Paga" album project, but the PAGA project is a kind of continuation of WEIDORJE. It is a reunion of members, as has been noted, and the "Paga" albums two best compositions, as I hear it, and these are teriffic, are "Mitchinoku" and "Une Parcelle d'Urantia." These tracks were essentially Paganotti compositions intended for WEIDORJE, but they had never been released or fully realised. Paganotti's bass-work dominates, and the sound carries over from WEIDORJE. Both share a similar jazzy Zeuhl approach as well as instrumental technique, but the "Paga" album may be seen to suffer from New Wave leanings as well as jazz-lite elements; nevertheless, I believe it to be a fine, rewarding and exciting album to seek out. On another note: Zeuhler Laurent Thibault, the first bassist for MAGMA, who then joined MOVING GELATINE PLATES, and then went "solo," co-produced Paganotti's "Paga" album.

The "Paga" project reunion albums (PAGA GROUP) become more jazzy and less Zeuhl. although there is a clear continuation of sound. Whilst they are jazz-lite at times, "Haunted" is, I think, more of a jazz/rock fusion than Zuehl album; however, it is still informed by Zeuhl (Zeuhl elements run through it). With "Gnosis" the trend away from Zeuhl continues. It becomes more acoustic and into lighter, smoother jazz territory, but all three are very accomplished and enjoyable efforts for me. The PAGA players are all in fine form. The "Paga" album (the first) is highly recommended to WEIDORJE fans, both as a worthwhile album to hear in its own right, but also as a companion piece to "Weidorje." "Haunted" will still appeal to appreciators of Zeuhl, and is also recommended to Fusion fans. I would recommend "Gnosis" to those who are more into Jazz-Fusion and need not appreciate Zeuhl. Due to the obvious Zeuhl connections, the Zeuhl category seems the best place to highlight this project.

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