Klaus Nomi - Zabakdaz

Lost masterpiece? Hmmmmmm…

Like Barry Humphries, Klaus Nomi allowed his alter ego to consume his life to the extent that the man beneath the makeup was nigh on invisible. This German-born singer made an immediate impact in America during the early 80s, with theatrical performances and a unique voice that wrapped itself around all styles, from Chubby Checker to opera, fed through a synthesised musical prism. Although he died of AIDS in 1983, Nomi attracted celebrity fans such as Bowie when he was breathing, and later, Morrissey when he was dead.

Zabakdaz was intended to be Nomi’s masterpiece of musical theatre but remained uncompleted at his death. Now, a mere 23 years later, it has been finished by a group of musical fans. The results sound unlike anything you will hear outside The Residents, with baroque synthesized arrangements and otherworldly vocals. Whether you should hear it or not depends upon your taste for the bizarre or the sonic fun of labels such as Trunk Records. Basically, you will love it or hate it. The CD packaging with the fake file opening is a masterpiece of design, but more information on the finishing of the album – how much was recorded after his death? – would have been appreciated. Oh well…

Heliocentric | tbc

Reviewed by Ian Shirley
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