This 6 piece funk band from the LA area calls themselves Zookeepers Palace. Their latest release: Red Sky Ruminations is sure to be remembered as one of the classic modern funk-Jazz-Pop releases of our time. Its pure funk the way it used to be via full-tilt of playing, hooky grooves and a top tiered sound. It’s the ultimate in musical intoxication. Before I get to the review let me first say Red Sky Ruminations will take you back to a simpler, happier more carefree time. A time before artists started hanging out the dirty laundry to dry on the radio. Yes that felt good to say!
Official URL: http://www.zookeeperspalace.com/
This band opens with “A Red Sky in Morning” crisp fast paced number with guitar, drums, bass, keyboard and solid vocals from lead singer Matt Fonda. Grounded by the Air” takes it to another level with it’s classic rock vibe, perfect for full tilt club atmosphere. The 3rd track “Burn Together, Burn Forever” lets it all hang out with catchy vibe, dark musical landscape full of power and intrigue of life’s burning embers. One thing that impressed me about this album is the attention to detail, there is an ambience that really sucks in the listener into their world. The instrumentation and tones give you that genuine feel of good music from generations ago, it has a solid worldly visual feel to it as well. All members are solid visually and musically. Band members include: Matt Fonda — roars like a lion, Candice Harris — beats skins with sticks, Matt Luker — sasquatch of melodies, Mike Bear — dominates the low end, L-Boogie — slaps, shakes and boogie. Zack McNair — plucks strings. Vocalist Fonda takes the lead song for song, even throwing in amazing intensity. In many ways Fonda is the strongest card in Zookeeper’s Palaces’ musical hand. Red Sky Ruminations captures the adventurous spirit of the classic rock which will ring true not only for old listeners but new ones as well. This latest release wraps up a well rounded and interesting cross section of classic Progressive Rock, trippy-Funk, Jazz-Rock and Psychedelic Pop popular in the 60;s and 70’s all the while maintaining a modern-day musical feel. How is this possible? Only an experienced bands can pull it off. Sad to say music like this is sorely missing from the 2013 repertoire. Zookeeper’s Palace more than fill this musical void, they can hold their own against any hot running band out there right now.
Rating/4.5/5 Stars
I-TUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/red-sky-ruminations/id585926060
Posted by Scottie Carlito edited by Markus Druery
Comments: jannezawa@gmail.com
