Search - Zeep :: Nina Miranda & Chris Franck Present Zeep

Light-hearted, "Family" album

bordersj2 | Boston | 07/16/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Fans looking for the next "Smoke City" or "Da Lata" album should rejoice with Zeep coming out. All are here, minus Mark Brown & Patrick Forge respectively (and curiously), and several friends of Chris & Nina who have worked with them over the years through various projects. This one was released on Far Out Records, same label as several other artists they've worked with (Troubleman, etc.) and the label where I first heard their "Agua" single. Obviously Chris & Nina are together, have kids, etc. and they feature here as well.



I liked this album. It goes in and out of musical styles, but the overall vibe is optimistic, funky, fun and htey try to really create a "Live!" feel with the instruments. Granted, you sort of feel like the 'innocence' of it is forced a little, but you still enjoy the record. The album starts out well with "Funny Old Song", a poem in the middle of the song with samples. That's followed up with the funked up "Super". Admittedly, it has a good live energy to it that saves the melody. "Come With Me" was als oa very nice song before "Zeep Dreams", a song that will definitely remind you of Da Lata... particularly their remix to Gabin's "Azul Anil". Tristan Banks is on the percussion there, yet another connection with Chris Franck from the "Batu" days. "Keep an Eye on Love" was also very nice and I think the top track that was pushed for the album was "have You Ever", a song that has a wondreful uitar intro from Chris Franck before rolling into a wonderful melody. Throughout the album you also have skits with their kids, some samples on most of the songs and beeps, laughs, etc. here and there.



I enjoyed the album. Very nice songs, great originality and you can't really deny the talent of Chris Franck and the joy in Nina Miranda's voice. Something about her voice reminds me of Wanda Sa - always has. It's always awesome to hear live instrumentation - to me they make an album all the more timeless. But admittedly the album wasn't without fault. I enjoyed the original version of Agua more than the one featured here and I was a little curious that 'Mash Banana' wasn't included. I want to say they're inviting you into their world musically, but at some times - and I know this may sound odd - but you feel like there are a lot of 'inside' jokes here, that there's a disconnect somehow with them doing their own thing vs. you the listener. And I mean that as a HUGE Smoke City fan. :) Anyways, a good album, terrific musicianship and I'd certainly recommend it to any Smoke City or Da Lata fans. It's certainly lighter (and IMO better) than Da Lata's last album... I'd say if it's most similar to any of their albums, it'd be "Heroes of Nature".



For the radio... I'm not sure you'll see a lot of these songs featured there. Best bet is to try to catch a live show if ever you're in England or they start to tour - it'll probably be a great performance."