Jazzwise
Slow Train
Illegal
Cargo
Date: September
2003
Reviewer: Tom
Barlow
This
collaboration netween London-based Trinidadian songtress Z Star (dubbed
Lady Z by Terry Callier) and Morten Varano from Danish dance act Puddu
Varano is a heady collision between ice cool clubland and the rawness
of the blues. Far too eclectic to be dubbed 'nu jazz' (if you need to
categorise it, call it Trip Hop), this is one of the better dance-friendly
crossover albums i´ve heard recently. The combination of Z Star's
griot-stylee vocals (her smoky wordplay at once recalls Nina Simone,
Traci Chapman and old school spiritual singers) and Varano's worldy
sampling and programming (an assortment of electro, hip hop, house,
rock and socca sounds. makes for a moody affair (check out the excellent
Naturally) Back home, Z Star solo career revolves around a wildly danceable
music she calls 'afro-punk'. Slow Train is easier on the ears: Slick,
restrained and sexy..