DOMINION

Zopp is a one-man (person/AI?) band from Nottingham, UK. Ryan W Stevenson is composer, mixer, producerand performer, a trend we see more and more in these financially troubled times. Thankfully he employs the services of a real drummer in addition to a little help from his friends. His new offering "Dominion" follows hot on the heels of the well-received debut "Zopp". Unfortunately that is where the good news ends. The canterbury-esque influences are plainly in evidence, ranging from the foxy little organ sound reminscent of Hatfield & The North's Dave Stuart, to the Soft Machin-ish saxophone and the sweet female choirs. But comparing this output to Soft machine, Hatfield or National Health does the creators of the canterbury movement little or no justice. Zopp haven't managed to raise the bar compared to their excellent debut, a difficult feat for any artist. A comparable group such as Alco Frisbass are able to get motre exciting with each successive release. Or have listen to Richard Sinclair's wonderful collaboration with Accordi dei Contrari in "Il L'Ombra di un Sogno". Truly canterbury for the modern age. Not looking back but trying something very different. This is Caravan with more talent, better playing, more experimentation. However all is not doom and gloom. First and foremost, this an instrumental album, which already makes it more interesting and challenging in my book. Next, it feels like an organic whole, where every track is connected to the next. The songs "You" and "Amor fatis " are a cut above the rest and make you settle back in your armchair and crank the volume. This pleasure is short-lived and I cannot award more than 2 stars for this failed attempt at a worthy successor to Zopp the 1st.