In true Far Out Recordings fashion, the samplers have gone and half of this album was recorded in Rio de Janeiro with some local experts. Mauro Berman (bass) of fabulous Democustico, Marcelo Jeneci Da Silva (keys), Marcalzinho (percussion) and UK based Davide Giovannini (Big Bang. The Trip). The second half was finished off at home with Mike Lindup (keys), Tristan Banks (drums), Jason Yarde (sax) as a few special guests.

The whole effect is that of folky rockin’ samba in the back yard with a load of friends and family, a la Seu Jorge goes to North London for a BBQ.

This is epitomised by ‘Have You Ever’, which was let out of the bag before the album itself was released. If you’re after a label, Tropical Tunng might be the best as it’s a grower (guaranteed to make you look when it comes up on your iPod’s shuffle mode). Tropical Tunng also fits the opener, ‘Funny Old Song’ with some ‘live’ spoken word interjections.

Not sure how Kenny Lynch (yep that Kenny “must have tackled just about everything that it’s possible to have tried in UK show business” Lynch, OBE!) got in on his very short spoken appearance on ‘Come With Me’ but it’s far better than it sounds.

There’s also an Azymuth/Flora Purimesque track ‘Zeep Dreams’ featuring the djembe of Senegal’s Momadou Sarr and vocals of Diabel Cissoko. Not this is a one-track album, but this is definitely worth the entrance price with additional work from ex-Level 42’s king of keys Lindup and another star guest, Zé Luis on flutes.

‘Sem Parar’ and ‘Baby’ use as similar line up to ‘Zeep Dreams’ but are not even close. ‘Agua’ is a percussive gentle breeze while ‘Keep An Eye On Love’ is like a Mark Ronson samba remix, one for the radio that one.

Once again, Far Out Recordings go a little bit further out than most and come up with the goods. If you’re into other Brazilian flavoured duos like Democustico and Bossa Futura, this is definitely an album for you. In fact, it’s varied enough to suit all tastes so don’t be put off by the name or the cover, Zeepistas of the world unite!

Hectic Mix nominations: ‘Zeep Dreams’, ‘Super’, ‘Have You Ever’, ‘Agua’, ‘Nature’

Reviewed: Miranda and Chris Frank present — Zeep (Far Out Recordings) Cat. No. FAR 120CD Release date: 18th June 2007
Tracklisting
1. Funny Old Song (2.16)
2. Super (4.17)
3. Come With Me (4.19)
4. Zeep Dreams (6.25)
5. Sep Parar (3.25)
6. Baby (5:02)
7. Step Skit (0:18)
8. Aqua (3:36)
9. Keep An Eye On Love (2.57)
10. Have You Ever (4.40)
11. Nature (3:24)
12. Blue Sky (1:06)
13. Land of Blobs (0:48)

Links:
www.myspace.com/zeepband
Far Out Recordings www.faroutrecordings.com
www.myspace.com/mamadousarr
www.kennylynch.co.uk
Kenny Lynch OBE at www.45-rpm.org.uk
www.mikelindup.com
www.myspace.com/bossafutura
Gilles Peterson :: Thursday 17 May 2007 :: Joy Denalane Live in Session
Zeep — ‘Super’ (Far Out)