Customer Reviews:
 Light-hearted, "Family" album July 16, 2007
bordersj2 (Boston)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Fans looking for the next "Smoke City" or "Da Lata" album should rejoice with Zeep coming out. All are here, minus Mark Brown & Patrick Forge respectively (and curiously), and several friends of Chris & Nina who have worked with them over the years through various projects. This one was released on Far Out Records, same label as several other artists they've worked with (Troubleman, etc.) and the label where I first heard their "Agua" single. Obviously Chris & Nina are together, have kids, etc. and they feature here as well.
I liked this album. It goes in and out of musical styles, but the overall vibe is optimistic, funky, fun and htey try to really create a "Live!" feel with the instruments. Granted, you sort of feel like the 'innocence' of it is forced a little, but you still enjoy the record. The album starts out well with "Funny Old Song", a poem in the middle of the song with samples. That's followed up with the funked up "Super". Admittedly, it has a good live energy to it that saves the melody. "Come With Me" was als oa very nice song before "Zeep Dreams", a song that will definitely remind you of Da Lata... particularly their remix to Gabin's "Azul Anil". Tristan Banks is on the percussion there, yet another connection with Chris Franck from the "Batu" days. "Keep an Eye on Love" was also very nice and I think the top track that was pushed for the album was "have You Ever", a song that has a wondreful uitar intro from Chris Franck before rolling into a wonderful melody. Throughout the album you also have skits with their kids, some samples on most of the songs and beeps, laughs, etc. here and there.
I enjoyed the album. Very nice songs, great originality and you can't really deny the talent of Chris Franck and the joy in Nina Miranda's voice. Something about her voice reminds me of Wanda Sa - always has. It's always awesome to hear live instrumentation - to me they make an album all the more timeless. But admittedly the album wasn't without fault. I enjoyed the original version of Agua more than the one featured here and I was a little curious that 'Mash Banana' wasn't included. I want to say they're inviting you into their world musically, but at some times - and I know this may sound odd - but you feel like there are a lot of 'inside' jokes here, that there's a disconnect somehow with them doing their own thing vs. you the listener. And I mean that as a HUGE Smoke City fan. :) Anyways, a good album, terrific musicianship and I'd certainly recommend it to any Smoke City or Da Lata fans. It's certainly lighter (and IMO better) than Da Lata's last album... I'd say if it's most similar to any of their albums, it'd be "Heroes of Nature".
For the radio... I'm not sure you'll see a lot of these songs featured there. Best bet is to try to catch a live show if ever you're in England or they start to tour - it'll probably be a great performance.
Breezily eclectic, grown-up pop with a strong bossa nova influence. June 19, 2007
starschaser (Boston, MA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
While there are albums that promise wild times at everything from parties and raves to satanic orgies, singer Nina Miranda and guitarist Chris Franck's offering is so cosily domestic, it feels like an invitation to Sunday brunch among friends at home...in London !
The couple enjoyed chart success with Brazilian-influenced trip-hop outfit Smoke City and Da Lata, and here they recreate a similar feel on "proper" instruments with contributions - perhaps too many - from children, friends and neighbours.
The album is a cool, upbeat reaction to Rio's latest samba revival, it's a light, easygoing set that doesn't break new ground, but is notable for the quality of the musicianship and the impressively infectious songs.
The opening "Funny Old Song", written by the duo, sets the mood with a gently driving track in which Miranda's light, floating vocals are offset by the insistent percussion. It's matched by the annoyingly delightful "Baby", a song that will win no prizes for its lyrics but has a breathy charm. This is a low-key set, but "Super", the best track on the album, shows that the band can also handle a gently driving funk workout.
This is breezily eclectic, grown-up pop with a strong bossa nova influence, very well executed, but with a cutesy, self-referential feel that is by no means entirely down to the children's songs, stories and vocal samples; Miranda's featherlight delivery in particular can leave one itching for more backbone.
If they get the radio play they deserve, this cool album should succeed.
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