Zazu - Ittsanottasonatta, But It's Close (Vinyl, Full Version)

The audio for this video is sourced from my own personal vinyl copy of Zazu's 1975 self titled album "Zazu" released on the "Wooden Nickel" record label, BWL1-0791.. The various images used in this video are are also taken from photos and scans of my original vinyl LP jacket/cover, labels etc.

The audio transfer was done with an Oracle Delphi MKIII turntable, an SME45 tone arm, and a Vanden Hull MC-10 MC cartridge. Though I suppose after digital transfer to mp3, compression etc...all this is irrelevant.

Zazu were:
Randy Curlee - vocals, bass
Paul Ripurero - guitar
Mickey Lehocky - drums
John Melnick - keyboards

The following Zazu bio is taken from "Glory Daze Music"...

Recognized only it appears because of sharing the same label as Styx in their early days, Zazu have been compared to Styx by some but there is no comparison as their sounds were far removed despite being prog artists. Zazu seemed inclined to divide their time between lengthy prog workouts and shorter AOR numbers, both styles paying off tremendously. This was Zazu's only vinyl outing and subsequently the band fell off the face of the earth, but evidently this remains of some value to fans of 70's prog and rightfully so. Fans of manic keyboard solos will be delighted with some of the more furious excursions on the longer heavier tracks, and despite the dearth of information about Zazu, the talent was there for greater things.
The obvious tour de force of the album is the ten minute 'Ittsanottasonatta, But It's Close', a clear classic which will delight keyboard lovers, the track taking every possible tangent imaginable. The musicianship is often uncontrolled here, thrashing around wildly with guitar and keyboard trade offs that are astoundingly heavy. The segment at the nine minute point will simply blow you away.
This one of the most powerful yet equally subtle prog albums of the era that I've heard, and though the bridge between commerciality and frenzied epic prog is large, it somehow makes sense. The raging climaxes on display are comparable to that of a live show and it's a shame nothing more was heard from the band as what might have occurred just a few years later could've transformed them surely into an act ranking with Kansas for mainstream appeal. A one off worth owning and it would be nice to know what happened to the band and the story behind it, as it seems like one worth telling.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Zazu
• Styx
• 70s
• Progressive
• Rock

[keysings]

Hi. I'm the keyboardist/voalist who wrote this tune way back then. Just wanted to say thanks to the guy who took the trouble put this up this way...Nice job! John Melnick

[drprogensteinphp]

@keysings

Hi John, the guy who put this up is me :) The pleasure was all mine!

This album has been one of my faves since the mid 70's...not many of the great lesser known US or Canadian prog bands spoken of these days. You guys were right up there with Happy The Man, Sloche, Crack The Sky, FM, Fire Ballet, Symphonic Slam, Contraction, etc. Your keyboard playing is outstanding on this LP

I had a lot of fun creating this video...even with the limited features offered by Windows Movie Maker.

[rockcandy57]

hey man just picked it up on cd its about time

[drprogensteinphp]

@rockcandy57

I'll have to look for it...thanks :)

[ou812uc]

This would have been awesome live...light show...shrooms...excellent upload Groovy Guru...

[drprogensteinphp]

@ou812uc

So true! My head and belly are feeling all tingly just with the thought :)

[khondo1]

@keysings This track and "Beyond The Island Unisphere" were staples on WSAY Radio, Rochester, NY back in the day! You may have interest in checking out : "I remember WSAY" on Face Book sometime. This LP is truly a Progressive Rock Treasure.

[hsdscsds]

Great stuff!

[drprogensteinphp]

@buggadugg

Glad you like...the fun begins at 5:37...great instrumental passages :)

[buggadugg]

Again you provide amazing talent that excapes the masses. However, I don't like Styx and Kansas like music. But I put this up above them though I would not buy the stuff. Keyboarder Wizzard!