ZONE SIX

I found this a little confusing but there are two versions of ZONE SIX's self titled debut. There's the one listed on the site here at 59 minutes and thirteen tracks with female vocals, mellotron and keyboards besides the guitar, drums, synths and bass. And then there's the one I have that is called in the liner notes "the very first session of ZONE SIX" and is missing the female vocals, mellotron and keyboards. It's also two long tracks only at 27 minutes and 24 1/2 minutes respectively.This was released originally on cassette and in limited quantities in 1997 and called the original instrumental version while the other version was released on cd in 1998 and both have the same cover art.

Dave Schmidt aka Sula Bassana plays bass and the synths credited are from him but added later in the studio much like the female vocals, keys and mellotron were added even further down the road on the 1998 edition. The music like on all ZONE SIX recordings are improvs and this was done over one night in Berlin, Germany in August of 1997. Schmidt recorded, mixed and produced it.

Bottom line is that I like this record but wish had a little more in the way of contrasts and outbursts. My two favourite recordings by this band are the live one "Live Wired 2004" and also "The Split Thing" that they did with Russian space rockers VESPERO. There's a lot of relaxed and laid back music on here surprisingly for their very first session together. Maybe nobody wanted to show off, you know first impressions and all. The bass just isn't that noticeable so it's the beats and guitar plus the added electronics which do help create atmosphere and mood.

There's a brief space transmission to start the opener that was added later, the same with the start of the second track as we get these processed voices. A reggae groove kicks in that lasts about seven minutes and I'm just not into it but the bass at least stands out, we get that reggae vibe as well late on the first track. There's an eastern vibe with that guitar and it echoes later. The sound 15 minutes in might be my favourite on this record. Voices follow briefly then a calm.

I don't want to give the impression that this recording is samey because they do change the flavour often but usually in a subtle way but one section doesn't usually overstay it's welcome. I like this overall but the band gets better in my opinion at this improv stuff. Nice way to start their journey though.