Reviews and Comments
What people think...
Review of "Dirty", Burton Mail, 16th May 2008 Zoo — Dirty (Red Admiral Records) Cheesy, choppy organs and eccentric faux operatic vocals are held together by a drumskin tight rhythm section on this classy and highly impressive crossover jazz nugget from a Derbyshire-based trio that sure can play. Evidence of this will be available at Dexter’s Jazz Club in Nottingham on Tuesday, May 20, which could well be a chance to catch a future star name when really hot. (Andy Parker)
General Zoo-related comments by The Que 98.2 Internet Radio, Utah, May 2008 Quite interesting and a band (also from London, UK) that could very well set the new standard for the Jazz Fusion genre is 'Zoo' with their, song you'll never guess the name will you? That's right the song is actually named 'Dirty', but there's nothing dirty about it at all. In fact the lyrics present quite an interesting story. The delicate arrangement of keyboard effects in this song makes it quite interesting to listen to. Inspired by many of the Jazz greats like Miles Davis, Zoo is setting the trend for Jazz fusion in the future. I would like to invite all of you to learn more about the band and sample some of their unique music. Go to: zoo's websites at: www.zoo-music.co.uk Zoo with their song Dirty still remain at number two this week. Miles Davis inspired I learned after Sunday night's radio interview. Popular these guys are. Will they ever come down off the top? Probably not.
Review of the new single "Dirty" by FATEA Records, April 2008 Since we last featured Zoo, their most recent album, "Greenhouse" went on to win the 2007 Glasswerk Award for Best Jazz Album. They've also established themselves across the Midlands. "Dirty" taken from that self same "Greenhouse" album, serves as a timely reminder that if you haven't bought the album already, you should at least check it out. It also gives the band, a trio, Paul Biggins, Karen and Reg Clegg an opportunity to reach out to a wider audience and say, 'Hey this is us, this is what we're about, good contemporary jazz.'
Review of "Greenhouse" by Jazzwise, February 2008 Vocalist Karen Clegg (a kind of jazzy Sandy Denny), Reg Clegg and Paul Biggins make up Derbyshire trio Zoo. They blend jazz chords and 80s indie guitar melancholia with a shade of electronics. (Two stars)
Review of "Suddenly" by FATEA, November 2007 "Suddenly" is the first single from Zoo's criticallly acclaimed "Greenhouse" album. Hopefully it'll garner some of the attention needed to push the album from critical success to a significant commercial one. Zoo are a jazz trio that create a sensitive blend of the acoustic and the electric. "Suddenly" has a groove that gives the impression of the vocalist laid across a grand piano focusing her attention on one member of the audience, in this case you. It's relaxed, but with an edge. Realisation dawns as the song's being performed that it's not the same as it was.
Review of "Suddenly" by the Hartlepool Mail, October 2007 Light and airy like summer clouds this jazzy number drifts by, helped on its way by the Cleo Laine-esque vocals and lazy double bass. Interesting, but very laid back.
Review of Suddenly by County Times, October 2007
Response to "Suddenly" radio play on Rutland FM, October 2007 I'd just like to say I was listening to the charts on Saturday night and heard the new single from local band Zoo. I think it was really good. Are you likely to be playing more of their stuff? Do you know if they have a CD out? Can you tell me anything more about them, please?
Review of "Suddenly" by Toxic Pete, August 2007 Zoo - Single - Suddenly Zoo are a jazz combo that are trying to make the often misunderstood and all too frequently maligned genre more accessible and understandable. 'Suddenly' is their new single available on download from October 15th. Without going into all the arguments for and against jazz I feel I should straight away say that 'Suddenly' isn't gonna tax yer brain too much. 'Suddenly' is slick and sexy, gently persuasive and very easy on the ear. There's no self-indulgence to be found anywhere here - ok, I know it's only a single of just over four minutes but Zoo keep it all nicely laid back and very much a no-frills kinda thing. Subtle percussion offers loads of space for the expansive bass work to cast its magic and with delicate piano and flute set against the bright, precise vocals the whole thing melds seamlessly into a damn fine piece of nu-jazz - as chilled as you want it to be or, as vibrant as you want to make it. The piece is a 'live' recording and probably benefits by being nicely loose (in the most controlled way!); it shows that jazz can indeed be a musical art-form for the twenty-first century and bodes well for future Zoo releases. 'Suddenly' by Zoo is a pleasantly laid back piece of accessible jazz that you can enjoy for exactly what it is - you don't have to think too much or be a jazz buff to get what Zoo are doin'! Very nice, very pleasurable and refreshingly different - oh, and certainly nothing to be the slightest bit frightened of! Peter J Brown aka toxic pete (www.toxicpete.co.uk) (Rhythm & Booze rating 8)
Review of "Greenhouse" by FATEA, April 2007 With the exception of most of the opening track, "You Are The Question", "Greenhouse" is a highly evocative and entertaining that draws heavily on jazz and mixes it into intimate and rich harmonies. Whilst sounding simple, Zoo, manage to hide a wealth of complex interactiosn into their songs with out ever managing to disappear up their own backside. Even as a three piece it can be too easy to over indulge in this sort of album, chosing to show how well you can play rather than providing something that reaches out to the audience. "Greenhouse" reaches out and enchants.
"ZOO...nice music, but with a sinister edge..." Andy Hawkins, Pravda Studios, Leeds	"SMOOTH! :-)" Alex C, Stamford RiverCare Event, 2006
"ZOO's music has a great portability and accessibility, whilst still belonging to a contemporary framework..." Arts Council, England	" 'Endangered Species' draws you into its own beautiful world and makes you want to listen right 'til the end" 'Blinded', Review 2005
" 'Greenhouse' reaches out and enchants." Review by FATEA, 2007	" 'Suddenly' is slick and sexy, gently persuasive and very easy on the ear." Review by ToxicPete, 2007
"ZOO...a band you should look out for - mellow but jazzy and at the same time mesmerizing ..." Brian Maher, The Marrs Bar, Worcester	"ZOO...when they are most inventive they are at their best. Being daring really suits" Live Review, 2003