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Reviews

Phil Manzanera — Vozero
(Hannibal HNCD 1474, 1999/2015, CD)

by Jeff Melton, Published 2000-10-01

Vozero Cover art

Phil Manzanera has been a busy man as of late. He's taken the daunting task of remixing and remastering his own back catalog, and he's also found time to support Robert Wyatt by loaning him his studio to create 1998's classic Shleep. Not to be topped, Manzanera's worked out a new set of recordings featuring his first lead vocal recordings and the tallies are in: Vozero is a shining return to form. Wyatt himself returns the favor by adding his own backing and lead vocal, plus trumpet and percussion across the disc. This makes the endeavor a slice of Cuban rhythms and aggressive rock, which made the ex-Roxy Music sideman's own progressive tendencies standout on his first solo album over 25 years ago. Other contributors include ex-Roxy compatriot Andy McKay on oboe and Nigel Butler, who does the lion's share of loops and synth programming (as he did on Wyatt's last as well). Some of the more notable tracks include, “Mundo con Paz,” which has a Spanish traditional thematic development. Vocally, Manzanera at times relies on a vocal processed reading as on “Tuesday,” but overall his crooning recalls Crowded House, but in Wyatt's own range. I would have preferred some more instrumental workouts as on any of the albums from Diamond Head through Impossible Guitar, but I suspect that is not the main focus of the guitarist's muse. However, I am delighted to see that there is still much compositional clout together with brilliant guitar breaks and a modern setting for an artist whose contributions have been severely downplayed.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 20, 2015 releases, 1999 recordings

Related artist(s): Phil Manzanera, Robert Wyatt

 

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