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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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Avante garde pop…musos delight. Zero 7 have just released a double CD of their best bits from the past and present with an additional disc of remixes from the likes of Carl Craig, Metronomy, Photek, Joker and Madlib. To the uninitiated, those names will mean nothing, but clearly Zero 7 have enough confidence to bring them on board. The second disc is for the hardcore fans, so its CD1 is where the action takes place. The Grammy nominated duo – Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker- have consistently turned out quality down-tempo gems, but not broadly appealing and truly memorable ones, since they first emerged on the music scene eleven years ago, and they’ve hardly been prolific album-wise, with only four albums between 2001 and 2009. The problem, commercially anyway, lies in the fact that you’re hard pressed to ‘recall’ a particular song – you know, that ‘ear-worm’ effect, nevertheless, what they do is quality. Effectively they’re a niche act with some singles not even entering the charts – though this is not a singles album per say. Z7’s masterstroke has been to use guest singers such as Sia, Mozez and Sophie Barker, who gave stylish contributions. Culled from those four releases – Simple Things (2001) When It Falls (2004) The Garden (2006) and latterly Yeah Ghost (2009) we get Destiny the duo’s debut single which struggled up number 30,as track 4.
It’s the Crosby Stills Nash & Young-tinged Futures that introduces the collection bringing back the halcyon days of late 60s country- folk with a modern twist, while I Have Seen has a laidback groove-line and emotionless vocal. The pace quickens on You’re My Flame, their 2006 single (UK chart #103) with some fine female vocals and shiny harmonies to the nifty beat. Snail-paced Destiny has a dream-like state that meanders with some effective sonic drop-ins bringing out an urban coolness that’s hard to ignore. Polaris (a none single instrumental) is total self-indulgence that has more to do with studio FX than structured songwriting. Lazy, Home, is by far the standout track with dollops of jazzy inserts and sublime vocals, by one of the aforementioned ladies. A funky, quirky and beefy Mr. Ghee sees Z7 explode from their comfort zone and should have been a single, just to prove they can veer from their usual template. The run-in has the same snoozy groove, with Distraction, being the only (excuse the pun) distraction, simply because it’s beautiful, though instrumental, and appropriately lilted, End Theme, is very impressive. The verdict: Quality niche act.
Weblinks: zero7.co.uk / myspace.com/zero7official (audio samples)
The full list of tracks included are :
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
