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Monday, February 19, 2024

The Blue Jays - Nascence (1970 us, awesome funky groovy brass rock)



Blue Jays were a US band, their sole LP "Nascence" recorded November 1970 on Map City Label (same as Purple Image and Yesterday's Children). Funky rock record with "Wahka, Wahka" a downtempo and moody cut & "Independent Man" a midtempo, edgy, funky tune. Collector's item with the Supa good "What Do You Want From Me Woman" sampled by "Large Professor" for "Nas" Rapper "It Ain't Hard To Tell".An essential LP with superb gatefold cover. After this release they changed the name to White Water and released "Out Of The Darkness" in 1973 on RCA label. John Vastano former lead singer/song writer of the Blue Jays/White Water, passed away September 21, 2018.  
Tracks
1. Hey Little Lady - 3:37
2. What Do You Want From Me Woman - 3:40
3. Freedom - Where Have You Gone - 3:35
4. Reason To Cry - 4:06
5. Independant Man - 3:29
6. Wahka Wahka (Dick Domane) - 5:40
7. Jackson (Billy Edd Wheeler, Jerry Leiber) - 3:23
8. Beg Borrow And Steal - 3:08
9. Hard Thing To Accept - 3:13
All songs by John Vastano except where stated

The Blue Jays
*Bob Fiocco - Bass, Trombone
*Conrad Catalano - Drums, Percussion
*John Emma - Tenor, Alto Saxophones
*John Vastano - Guitar, Vocals
*Richard Domane - Organ, Trumpet


Zazu - Zazu (1975 us, beautiful soft prog rock with jazzy aspects, 2008 digipak remaster)



Chicago based Zazu released this only album which quickly fell out of site due to their label’s  lack of promotion. Music is Symphonic prog rock, nice guitars and lot of keyboards, good vocals and all -except one- are original compositions. The record label disinterested in anything the band did and a second album never released as well as Zazu’s guitarist ending up in a 'Hospital' years later.
Tracks
1. Country Eyes (Randy Curlee, Paul Ripurero) - 3:41
2. Upon The Island Unisphere (John Melnick, Randy Curlee) - 6:41
3. Just Friends (John Melnick, Bill Traut) - 3:48
4. Midnight Train (Rick Marotta, Stu Woods, Tom Cosgrove) - 3:59
5. Ittsanottasonatta, But It's Close (John Melnick, Paul Ripurero, Mickey Lehockey, Randy Curlee) - 10:23
6. Morning Rain (John Melnick, Mickey Lehockey) - 6:16

Zazu
*Randy Curlee - Bass, Vocals 
*Mickey Lehockey - Drums 
*John Melnick - Keyboards, Vocals
*Paul Ripurero - Guitars, Vocals