Episode 309 – Zzebra

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Postcards From The Edge . . . OF CONNECTICUT!

• A postcard mystery is brewing.

Lead up to the Album:

• Zzebra was formed from members of the bands If an Obisaba.
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_(band)
    • If was a progressive/jazz rock band in the late 60s, early 70s.
    • Dave Quincy and Terry Smith left the band after four albums to form Zzebra.
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osibisa
    • Abdul Loughty Lasisi Amao was a founding member of the band and on their first two albums.
    • Osibisa went on to do the soundtrack to the movie Superfly.
• Gus Yeadon was brought into the band but was not happy with the lineup. Producer Ken Burgess had a friend and partner named Tommy Eyre who had returned from the US where he was recording with Mark-Almond.  He went to see the band at the Marquee and ended up joining to complete the album.

Nate reached out to John McCoy to ask him about Zzebra and this album in particular. Here’s what he had to say:

Hi Nathan…..ZZEBRA! I loved that band and the musical freedom we had.

Myself and drummer Liam Genockey had been working together for a couple of years in folk rockers Curtiss Maldoon  with tours of USA support to Badfinger and an album “Maldoon” on Purple Records, followed by a stint with American folk legend Julie Felix touring UK,far east and after that became popular as  bass/drums session players in very varied musical genres. We shared an appreciation of many styles

One such session was for a low budget film score….also booked for the session was Dave Quincy and Terry Smith from a very successful jazz rock band IF and an African percussionist, /sax/ flute player Loughty Amao from the band Osibisa.

When the session work was finished we kept on jamming into the early hours, loving each others playing and we all agreed it was something special and different and soon ZZEBRA was born ,through Daves jazz connections we were soon playing London jazz  circuit even securing multiple shows at the prestigious Ronnie Scott’s club. Through Loughty’s success with Osibisa we crossed over into the rock circuit playing The Marquee and touring with  Soft Machine and Chick Corea’s “Return to Forever”

To continue…we recorded the first album at a rural residential studio in Kent called Escape studios where we were able to immerse our selves in exploring this unusual mix of musical styles. By this time we had been joined by singer /keyboards player Gus Eden from pop rock group Love Affair. Under the magical production work of Ken Burgess and engineer Tony Taverner. 

The band continued on to record two further albums with various changes in personally until like many 70s bands we were hit by the onslaught of Punk! That’s enough for now isn’t it?! Cheers and enjoy listening to the soundtrack of a lost World! Cheers John

Core Band:

• lto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Piano, Clavinet – Dave Quincy
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Quincy
  • Played with Manfred Mann
  • Formed the band If with Terry Smith before forming Zzebra
• Bass – John McCoy
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCoy_%28musician%29
  • Had previously played in the London band Scrapyard with Bernie Torme before joining Zzebra.
• Congas, Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Percussion [African], Vocals – Loughty Amao
  • With the band Osibisa before forming Zzebra.
  • Played on Uriah Heep’s “Look at Yourself” album
  • Sadly passed away in 1988
• Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Liam Genockey
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liam_Genockey
  • Irish drummer who worked on many albums including with Gerry Rafferty, Bonnie Tyler, and Colin Towns
  • Would go on to be the drummer in Gillan.
• Guitar – Terry Smith
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Smith_(guitarist)
  • Worked on a number of different bands, primarily If.
  • Also was in a blues band with Tony Ashton.
• Piano, Flute, Guitar, Lead Vocals – Gus Yeadon*
  • Welsh singer predominantly known for his work with Zzebra. He left during the recording of the first album.
• Piano, Keyboards [Guest] – Tommy Eyre
  • Joined the band to finish up the first album. Worked with Ainsley Dunbar and Mark-Almond.
  • Worked with Alex Harvey, Joe Cocker, Michael Schenker, Gary Moore, B.B. King, John Mayall, Tracy Chapman, Wham, and Greg Lake. Played on and arranged the music for Joe Cocker’s cover of “With a Little Help From My Friends.” Also played on the song “Baker Street.”
  • Also worked with the band Riff Raff.
  • Sadly he passed away in 2001.

Technical:

• Producer – Ken Burgess
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Burgess_(musician)
  • Worked on production for Riff Raff and Rare Bird.
• Reissue Producer – Jordi Soley
• Engineer [Mixing] – Paul Hardiman
• Engineer [Recording] – John Taverner (2)
  • Liner notes lists as Tony Taverner.

Album Art & Booklet Review

• Photography By – Keith Silva/Picturepoint*
  • Only a few other credits.
• Art Direction – Paul Welch
  • Worked with Ella Fitzgerald, Pat Travers, Mungo Jerry, Marsha Hunt, Graham Bonnet, Bernie Torme, and Vangelis.
• Photography By [Group Photographs] – Charles Marriot
• Design – Wade Wood Associates
  • Designed album covers for artists such as Slade, Widowmaker, Ludwig van Beethoven

Recorded at Escape Studios, Kent, UK, October 1974.

Mixed at Advision Studios, London, November 1974.

Originally released in 1974.

Made under license from Tommy Eyre.

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Album Tracks:

Side One:

1. Cobra Woman
   • Written by Page-Acres
     • https://www.discogs.com/artist/10295752-Page-And-Acres
     • Can’t find any additional information about these writers.
   • Written-By – G. Yeadon*
2. Mr. J.
   • Written-By – L. Amao*
3. Mah Jong
   • Written-By – D. Quincey*, J. McCoy*, T. Smith*
4. Ife
   • Written-By – D. Quincey*, L. Amao*

Side Two:

5. Spanish Fly
   • Written-By – D. Quincey*, T. Smith*
6. Amuso Fi
   • Written-By – D. Quincey*, G. Yeadon*, L. Amao*
7. Rainbow Train
   • Written by Page-Acres
   • Written-By – D. Quincey*, G. Yeadon*, L. Amao*
8. Hungry Horse
   • Written-By – D. Quincey*, G. Yeadon*, L. Amao*, T. Smith*
   • Tommy Eyre said that when he went to see them at the Marquee while they were playing this song, “Terry . . . attempted an incredibly speedy rising line that ended up in a mis-fretting. He grunted and tried again. Still missed the last couple of notes. As hot as the Marquee club was, Terry was wearing a thick heavy woolen overcoat. He took a huge slug from it, layed it on the ground and then played the line perfectly and at double the speed! That’s when I knew I wanted to play with that band.!”

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Bustin’ Out The Spreadsheet

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For More Information:

• https://musicbrainz.org/release/3920a65b-68ba-48de-afda-79f4920564cf/cover-art
• https://www.discogs.com/release/1870777-Zzebra-Zzebra
• https://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=4183
• https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zzebra
• http://www.alexgitlin.com/npp/zzebra.htm
• https://jazzjournal.co.uk/2022/12/07/terry-smith-what-we-played/
• http://www.progressrock.cz/other1/Zzebra.html
• https://www.allmusic.com/artist/abdul-lasisi-amao-mn0001866417

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