PLUS DE VIANDE DANS LES SAUCISSES

A new line-up but the exotic flavors remain

Zaum is the ongoing musical adventure of Claudio D'Errico of Naples, Italy. Formed in the 1970s, the band saw many line-up changes and did not record until 1998. Their first album "Materialismus" was "a fusion of Area-styled wild RPI, alternative rock, and a good dose of funk" and was released in 2012 by Psych-Up Melodies. Zaum is back in 2013 with "Plus De Viande Dans Les Saucisses" (also from Psych-Up Melodies.) This album of all newly recorded material features an entirely new band behind D'Errico: vocalist Fabiana Fazio, Alfredo Mercaldo on keys, Fabrizio Di Vicino on bass, and Corrado Fusco on drums.

The only consistency between the first and second Zaum albums is the spirit of strangeness and an "anything goes" attitude. The young guys who gave the first album a bit on a 90s alt rock feel are gone. This album sports a jazzier, subtler, somewhat more laid-back feel to the music while injecting even more eclecticism by twisting away from most remnant of traditional RPI and borrowing from club, jazz, avant-garde, world music, and even some folk music element. The band is cool enough with D'Errico's interesting songs and some really inspired playing by the other guys, but the secret spice in this dish is vocalist Fabiana Fazio. Her singing and flute add much in terms of variety and appeal. I always enjoy RPI projects where a strong feminine presence is introduced to the boys club.

"Il suono vero" begins as almost-Crossover with nice vocal harmonies and layered guitar. D'Errico consistently does a nice job of throwing in bits of acoustic guitar or mandolin behind the electric instruments, giving a richness to the sound, whether simply strumming or doing more complex lead work. In other places however things can be very sparse so you can easily hear what the players are doing. After a bluesy diversion in "Hellhounds" they go to vocal jazz in "Ombre roce", almost entirely acoustic and e-piano I believe. Fazio does pretty well here given the sometimes crazy waters she's dealing with....sometimes her approach is "pretty" but other times more "in your face" aggressive. "Fluxus" has an exotic feel with a heavy bass and wild, manipulated guitar work. " O guarracine" is just fantastic, using orchestration, handclaps, and mandolin to set a folk mood, before lurching to a rapid-fire vocal and percussion bit. So many flavors! The final three tracks get particularly saucy with some intense vocals and lovely flute playing. This album is a bit like a night on the town in a strange, romantic city. A bit too much wine, the fragrance of a night breeze, the disorienting movement of unfamiliar streets and faces. Intoxicating music, as it should be.

Zaum is not a band for fans of textbook, melodic prog and thus won't please everyone. But if you love adventurous and mischievous bands who toil in the underground, making their music for the sheer love of it, you might check them out. I really enjoyed this album!

Italian band ZAUM was formed sometime in the late 1970's, but never got around to record anything until 20 years later. By that time a creative vehicle of sole founding member Claudio D'Errico. These recordings didn't see an actual release until another 10 or so years had gone by, but following the archival release of their debut album "Materialismus" in 2012 the band revitalized into a new line-up. In 2013 this new version of Zaum issued their second album "Plus de Viande Dans les Saucisses". As with their debut album through fledgling Italian label Psych Up Melodies.

As peculiar as the history of this band is, their music is even more so. At least this latest incarnation of Zaum is one that will leave many people scratching their heads and on a number of different levels too. Not because of lack of talent, the material here is well made and thought out for the most part, but due to certain stylistic clashes that won't ever give this album an appeal beyond a limited crowd of people.

Still, Il Suono Vero does open this disc in an enticing manner, a spirited pop oriented affair with a 1970's sheen to it with a mood and atmosphere that reminds you of summer and happy occasions. A piece that does conclude with a minute long acoustic psychedelic sequence mind you, adding a peculiar little bit also to this inviting opening track. But from this point and onwards Zaum takes their listeners on for a ride into rather peculiar territories.

A key element throughout are the vocals of Fabiana Fazio. Sharp, melodic and intense they add a distinct dramatic flair to the proceedings, and in a manner that gives me associations to jazz first and foremost. At her most intense mode of delivery, which we're treated to a couple of times, her voice moves closer to the likes of Janis Joplin admittedly, but her vocal approach, choice of tonal ranges and mode of delivery tends to give me a distinct jazz association. Frequently emphasized by details by bass and drums both, occasionally by the guitar and nifty wandering piano motifs as well.

The guitar, and a presumably acoustic one which is extensively used, adds a folk music sheen to the proceedings. Occasionally strengthened by percussion, flute and accordion. A second guitar motif supplements now and then, serving both jazz-tinged and psychedelic oriented details. The latter aspect also catered for by keyboard textures on occasion.

This adds up to compositions that blend folk-oriented music, jazz and psychedelic rock to various degrees, always with the distinct vocals on top of this mostly odd sounding instrumental amalgam. Frequently charming constructions I might add, but also puzzling, and just about always with an odd quality to them. Music that arguably may be described as innovative, most certainly a bit off kilter, and while this mix of styles most likely have been taken on by others previously I don't think anyone has done it in this particular manner.

If you have an interest in music that explores territories well away from paths explored by others, appreciates music made as art that strives to do something in a different manner and you suspect that a blend of jazz, psychedelic rock and folk music will appeal to you, Zaum's second album "Plus de Viande Dans les Saucisses" is one that merits a listen. Whether you'll be among the presumably select audience that appreciates what they do I can't tell, but I suspect I can promise with a fair bit of safety that this is a band that explore a style and sound combination you haven't encountered before.