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  | ZOOT MONEY ~ THE BEST OF ZOOT MONEY`S BIG ROLL BAND
REPERTOIRE 5027 (Barcode: 4009910502723) ~ UK ~ Classic Pop
Recorded: 1964 - 1967 Released: 2007
This is a great compilation of tracks recorded by one of Britain´s best ever Rhythm And Blues outfits led by superb singer / organist Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist and called Big Roll BandFind albums by this artist. The band included a brass section and was playing intelligent arrangements, typical of the British scene at the time and with a great sense of humor. The material includes tracks from the band´s two albums and many singles and other non-album material. For people, who love the sublime British Rhythm And Blues with Jazzy arrangements and excellent musicianship, this is a feast!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ZOOT MONEY / BIG ROLL BAND ~ BIG TIME OPERATOR
REPERTOIRE 5343 (Barcode: 4009910534328) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock
Recorded: 1964 - 1968 Released: 2017
This is a wonderful Box Set collecting early recordings by British vocalist / organist Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist and his excellent ensemble called Big Roll BandFind albums by this artist. Spread over 4 CDs, the material includes the two albums: "Zoot!Find albums with this title" (Recorded live at the Klook´s Kleek club and released in 1966) and "It Should`ve Been MeFind albums with this title" (The debut studio album released in 1965) and a plethora of additional material, which was recorded live at the Flamingo, as well as at the BBC. Also included are singles and other recordings made between 1964 and 1968, altogether ninety tracks spanning over five hours of music, worth their weight in gold. The band included such luminaries like saxophonists Nick NewallFind albums by this artist, Johnny AlmondFind albums by this artist and Clive BurrowsFind albums by this artist, guitarist Andy SummersFind albums by this artist (later of PoliceFind albums by this artist fame), vocalist / bassist Paul WilliamsFind albums by this artist and drummer Colin AllenFind albums by this artist.
Although the music reflects the British Soul and Rhythm And Blues explosion of the mid 1960s, it also clearly reveals the seeds of early Jazz-Rock and the closely intertwined, cross-genre approach that characterized the British scene at the time. Many musicians felt as comfortable playing a Rhythm And Blues gig as they would playing a Blues or a straight ahead Jazz gig, displaying the same dexterity, knowhow and passion, regardless of the circumstances.
Zoot Money and the Big Roll Band replaced Georgie FameFind albums by this artist and the Blue FlamesFind albums by this artist as the house band at the Flamingo, and the similarities between these two excellent bands are striking; both led by a vocalist / organist, with similar throaty vocal quality, both featured brass sections and a famous (to be) guitarists (in the case of the Blue Flames it was no else than John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist). Most importantly both these ensembles were swinging like hell and had a strong Jazzy feel whatever they were doing.
In retrospect the music presented by the Box Set, although definitely "dated", still sounds absolutely fresh and inspiring. Yes, nobody plays like that anymore, and what a pity it is that they don´t. In spite of the seemingly naïve melodic structures, the music is full of clever hooks and twists, and the playing is simply superb from start to finish.
Beautifully remastered, accompanied by a book with background essays, interviews and many wonderful photographs, this Box Set is a treasure chest, like many similar compilations made by the German RepertoireFind albums on this label label, which specializes in reissues. I hope some younger listeners will reach out and give this music a listen, as it could be really enlightening, especially in view of what is considered as music today. To the people who remember this stuff from their youth, like yours truly, this is an absolute must and an invigorating reminder that music was fun a long, long time ago.
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 24/05/2018 | CD 4 Digibook Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | PINSKI ZOO ~ AFTER IMAGE
SLAM 266 (Barcode: 5028386026624) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2002 - 2005 Released: 2006
This album presents a collection of live material recorded over a span of four years (2002 to 2005) by the seminal British ensemble Pinski ZooFind albums by this artist, led by saxophonist / composer Jan KopinskiFind albums by this artist. This quintet lineup of the ensemble also includes keyboardist Steve IliffeFind albums by this artist, bassists Karl BinghamFind albums by this artist and Stefan KopinskiFind albums by this artist (Jan´s son) and drummer Steve HarrisFind albums by this artist (who sadly departed in 2008). The double CD presents fifteen original compositions by the band members, with total playing time of almost two hours and twenty minutes.
These rough, uncensored and unedited live recordings are a perfect vehicle to present the thrilling live experience of Pinski Zoo on stage. Mixing Funk, Groove, Fusion, Electronics and Free into a completely unique amalgam, the band is certainly on fire at the time this music was recorded, well into the third decade of their activity. With the distinct double bass guitar lineup they are a force of Nature, driving the music hard using a polyrhythmic Funk groove as the basis with the keyboards supplying layers of electronic ambient and the sax floating on top of this complex structure, improvising with a passionate intensity.
The two bass guitars are of course the most dominating aspect of this music, in full contrast to what is typically expected to be the role of the bass as part of the rhythm section. Both bassists supply the groove of course, but they constantly improvise and interplay with each other with infernal intensity, producing a mesmerizing effect. Another unusual aspect of this music is the fact that the melodic content, which often is subtly hidden beneath the surface, can be expressed not by the typical instruments to do so (saxophone or keyboards), but in this case also by the bass guitars.
Of course Jan Kopinski is one of the most interesting and original British saxophone players and his work here is also absolutely brilliant. Iliffe and Harris are also an essential part of the overall effect the group produces on stage, which has very few competitors as far as the drive and vitality are concerned.
It takes a while to "get into" this music, but once there it is completely absorbing and fascinating. I have no idea why it took me ten years to put my hands on this beauty, but better late than never is definitely very much true in this case. Something else, definitely!
| | Updated: 29/01/2016Posted: 29/01/2016 | CD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ZOO ~ OSTATNI REMANENT
GAD 099 (Barcode: 5903068120329) ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock
Recorded: 1982 - 1985 Released: 2019
This is an archival album, which presents all the existing recordings and video footage made by the Polish Pop / Rock group ZooFind albums by this artist, which existed during the early 1980s and which formally released only two singles. This album adds to these two singles radio and TV recordings as well as an unreleased single and material recorded during rehearsals. During the period the group was active (1982-1985) they changed their lineup as often as they changed their musical styles. They were fronted by no less than four different vocalists (one female) and the only steady member was vocalist / guitarist / songwriter Krzysztof MarzecFind albums by this artist, who also wrote a large part of the group´s repertoire, with the rest of the members also contribution to the all original material. The CD presents twenty songs and the DVD presents six TV appearances.
The music offers a diverse stylistic range, which includes Pop, Reggae, Punk, New Wave and other explorations, all based on solid melody lines and all excellently performed by the group members.
In retrospect this music is quite bearable, and considering what was being played around the world this is certainly as good as the Pop that was created beyond the Iron Curtain, which still firmly stood at that time.
For Polish Pop / Rock lovers of the 1980s, this is a great opportunity to revisit the period and experience an interesting nostalgic trip, especially in view of the fact that most of this music is available here for the first time. Have fun!
| | Updated: 08/03/2020Posted: 08/03/2020 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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