ZEE: IDENTITY

As far as I am aware this album is only available in LP format. Due to lack of success in the sales dept. it also unfortunately received unfavourable reviews from critics and apparently Rick Wright himself. Let's put the album in perspective however. 1984, Rick Wright and David Harris ( of Fashion ) got together to form Zee. A one album wonder? - yes. A desert island classic? -no. But it is IMO the perfect combination of the new romantic 80's sound and Rick Wright's indellible Pink Floyd sound. Although a large part of the keyboard work is synth driven, Wright and Harris combine ably in the vocal dept too and create a rare example of progressive and pop cultures meeting. The album starts with the grooving ' Confusion'. A good way to describe the sound is that is like an upbeat Japan album or slightly less commercial sounding early Talk Talk record. Both artists contribute to the electronic percussion with solid rhythms throughout.' Voices' is dreamlike and poignant yet sounds more like Pink Floyd than any other song here. One of the strongest tracks on Identity. ' Private person' and ' Strange Rhythm' are not the best songs but the latter does show some great atmospheres to close out side one.

' Cuts Like a Diamond' is probably the most accessible and commercial song on Identity. Great guitar work from David Harris. ' By Touching' and ' How Do You Do It' again not brilliant but explore the more funky side to the album. ' Seems We Were Dreaming' closes the album off and is a slow ballad like song with RW and DH providing some nice dreamy vocals. The casette release had ' Eyes of a Gipsy' as a bonus track. In summary this album is a rare nuggett of a bygone era. Not as bad as everyone makes out. Definitely has the 80's sound to it but shows quality musicianship from start to finish. A worthy 3.5 stars.