Zenzile meets Jay Ree - 5 + 1 (Yotanka Records/Pias)

It all started back in 1999 with 'Zenzile meets Jamika', a collaboration with American spoken word artist Jamika Ajalon who first moved to London and then ended up in Angers. It resulted in two dub poetry style vocal tracks and as many dubs, supplemented with a more trip-hop flavored remix of 'Love Child' by Tan'n and an instrumental ambient version by Luo.

In 2002 Zenzile provided a sequel with 'Zenzile meets Sir Jean', for which they joined forces with ex-Peuple de l'Herbe vocalist Sir Jean. Following the same setup as its predecessor (being two vocal cuts, two dubs and two remixes), 'Zenzile meets Sir Jean' sounded a lot more experimental and at times almost nearing an ambient soundscape ('Sleepless Night Special', 'Sorenama Dub' including whale song).

For 2004s 'Zenzile & Jamika + Cello', the band returned to the original concept, with Cello, the alter ego of cellist Vincent Segal, giving the tracks a different flavor, like the Indian influences in the instrumental 'Funky Delhi' and 'Ain't Life Ironic', or the classical vibes in closing track 'Ascendance'.

And after no less than fourteen years, Zenzile now revives the series with 'Zenzile meets Jay Ree', on which City Kay front man Jay Ree took care of vocal duties. With a track list counting ten songs (five vocal cuts and as many dubs) this is more of a showcase album than the EP's that were the previous editions. And musically this is probably the most accessible release of the series. The excellent dubby '4000 Years' immediately sets the tone and 'So Good So Far' is also in the same vein. In 'Stay Close To Me' Érik 'Raggy' Sevret's sax provides a second voice next to that of Jay Ree, in 'Stuck In Old Things' Zenzile goes trip-hop, and the band concludes with the bass music of 'Disconnected'.

Very nice series we finally discovered thanks to the release of 'Zenzile meets Jay Ree', especially recommended for the more adventurous amateurs of dub music.