ZAZU

Decent mid 70's US prog album released by a little known Chicago band. This is Zazu's only album release. The standout track on this LP is the monster "Ittsanottasonatta, But It's Close", which is broken into suites. Had the rest of this album been of this caliber, I'd give it at the very least 4.5 rating. When I thnk of 70's Progressive rock bands, the US does not come to mind. Sure there was Kansas, and early Styx...along with some lesser knowns; Happy The Man, Fireballet, Crack The Sky, and a few others, but nothing on the scale of the UK, Europe, or even Canada for that matter. In my opinion, the only serious redeeming quality here is the song "Ittsanottasonatta, But It's Close", which is as good as anything ever released by some of the big name prog bands...yes I know that's a bold statement...but many would agree. John Melnick's keyboard playing is fantastic, and some of the instrumental passages come close to mind blowing. The whole band is super tight here...too bad the rest of the album didn't live up to this song. Sure, there were some good rock songs with prog tendancies...many reminding me of Kansas or early Styx at times...but "Ittsanottasonatta, But It's Close" is the main reason anyone should own this LP The original vinyl was released on the small "Wooden Nickel" label out of Chicago. Styx also shared this label early on. The "SouthSide" label re-issued this on CD in 2008. fantastic album with Doobie Brothers vibes on some tracks. 4.0

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