Album Review: V/A - Zuco 103 - Whaa! (Ziriguiboom / Six Degrees)

Writer: Damian Platt

Whaa! is the latest production from Netherlands-based Euro-Brazilian outfit Zuco 103. It's a global tutti-frutti of electronic sounds that blends bossa/samba, Cuban and numerous African influences, with a guest appearance by the eccentric and wacky dub-pilot Lee "Scratch" Perry serving to spice up the musical hotpot.

On paper it's an interesting album, and I was looking forward to hearing it after properly bugging out to a live performance of theirs at the Jazz Cafe a few years back. However after repeat listens I haven't found much that gives musical bite. The Scratch Perry joints are the most original, and overall Whaa!'s international lounge flavour should please those looking to pretend they're sipping Tia Marias down by the beach.

However under a grey London sky with the summer up the spout thanks to suicide bombers, I felt that it lacked a bit of veracity. For escapist beat-hunters it's sure to be more than OK, but for me "Whaa!" is more a case of slightly all over the place, than where it's at. I'd still go and see them live though, the lead singer is well fit.

RELATED LINKS:
Zuco 103 - official site
Ziriguiboom - label home to Zuco 103



Buy Whaa! at Amazon UK (CD) / US (CD)




PUBLISHED: 11 September 2005

RELEASE DATE: 29 August 2005 (UK) / 2 August 2005 (US) .

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