The debut album from Zoöphyte* showcases the songwriting talents of Peter Jones and Trevor Lever as well as Jones' cool vocals and contributions from a team of A-listers.
Described as a cross-genre project I was at first a little hesitant having experienced cross-genre projects in the past. However, this was one cross-genre project that was no trendy mish-mash aimed at pleasing everyone and ultimately pleasing no one.
This one works so beautifully that I hardly noticed the component modes - just the end product, so skillfully were they blended.
As a vocalist, Jones brings to mind such greats past and present as Mark Murphy (natch!); Jon Hendricks; Kurt Elling and Gregory Porter. At the risk of facing accusations of being sycophantic, Jones is at a point in his career where he can hold his head up high even in such exalted company. Likewise as a composer, although, in truth, I don't know which of the co-composers composed what or if it was 50-50 on each tune.
Although the band are primarily there in a supporting role, they're all big-hitters and emerge from the shadows for short but effective solos.
Getting back to the cross-genres, they may be listed as jazz, rock, soul and psychedelia but, to me, it's all filed under 'music'.
Recorded in October 2019 for Howlin' Werewolf Records (love it!)
Available via usual suspects.
Lance.
Los Retables; Füson; Stone Cold Killah; House on the Corner; Olive Butterfly and Stork; Feel Like I'm Chained to a Rock; The Caribou; What's your Favourite Planet?; My Dreams Are All in Black and White; Füson (alt. take).
Peter Jones (vocals/co-composer/producer); Graeme Flowers (trumpet); Nick Miles (trombone); Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax); Ross Stanley (keys); Rob Luft (guitar); Andrew Cleyndert (bass); Sophie Alloway (drums); Will Fry (percussion); Kitty Whitelaw (backing vocals); Trevor Lever (co-composer).
*Zoöphyte.
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