Zakarrias - same (1971, UK, progpsych, RE-Deram vinyl rip, single wav + cue, DR9, artwork)

*** Reviewed by great fellow Adamus67 ***

The only one album Zakarrias the British band is an overlooked treasure of the early 70s UK rock scene. Almost no information about the bands history is available, but their lone LP is now considered one of the rarest (along with Mellow Candle's Swaddling Songs album and LP groups Room.)
Recorded in London in the summer of 1971 by Austrian singer/song-writer Bobby Haumer (funny enough!).
Together with a couple of mates they played a highly unusual blend of psych, folk, rock and blues. Zakarrias himself was an exceptionally talented songwriter and arranger. So this gem is still an eponymous LP with intelligent progressive and jazzy song writing and performing was issued on the highly collectable Deram -SML1091 label.

However, Deram withdrew the album almost immediately when they discovered that Haumer didn't have a work permit and therefore had to return to Austria.

Released in 1971, the eponymous LP by Zakarrias presented their highly unusual blend of psych, folk, hard rock and blues, which benefited from diverse arrangements and clever, romantic lyrics is presented as a blues-rock alternative to LED ZEPPELIN.

Full of unexpected melodic shifts, and with an overwhelming sense of space and unresolved tension, the album skilfully blends singer/song writer introversion with elements of folk, blues, psychedelia and progressive rock. together with acoustic piano and guitar, and an excellent rhythm section,enhanced electric guitar and Hammond organ are both used but are mixed in subtly-manner

The results have been compared to outtakes from the third Led Zeppelin album, but while the lead vocals are certainly reminiscent at times of Robert Plant, the overall sound and general air of quiet pretension is probably closer to Van der Graaf Generator leader Peter Hammill's early solo work,also with a lot of Hammond organ and Rickenbacker bass. It can also remind of Riff Raff or to Brian Auger Oblivion Express. Great album one of my faves, this guy mixed, folk, blues, prog, and psych without a problem, MASTERPIECE ALBUM.
   Thank you so much Adam for that effor
 gigic2255

By now, this has turned out to be the rarest Deram album. Musically it is a strange eclectic mixture of hard rock with acoustic guitar and bluesy folk with strongly romantic lyrics. The accompanying band plays tight enough, but most of the songs are a bit too common to excite. Zakarrias is at his best on the slower tracks when he doesn't try to rock out. The lyrics are above average:

    "We are like counts and kings

    presented with rings and diamonds.

    In a suit of iron we sleep

    which our dreams hang on." (Marcel Koopman).

Geoff Leigh went on to play in Quiet Sun, Mouseproof, Henry Cow and Radar Favourites. Peter Robinson had played with Chris Farlowe and went on to Quatermass, Curtis Maldoon, session work and a spell with Al Stewart.

(~TapestryOfDelights)

Zakarrias has a rather enigmatic approach to rockin': He does it without the typical lead guitar breaks, or loud, crunchy electric rhythm guitar one would normally find on a rock LP of this era. Instead, his approach is all about the tension and release built by using his reedy vocals together with acoustic piano and guitar, and an excellent rhythm section. The electric guitar and Hammond organ are both used but are mixed in subtly. I describe these things because they constitute a novel approach to arranging a rock LP of this era, in my view.

The songwriting style is bluesy yet also progressive and jazzy, since he incorporates many tempo changes within a given track. Furthermore, he also uses horns subtly with no blaring solos. His compositions don't burn, they smolder.

Zakkarrias is a master of rhythm and mood on this his first and only LP. I'm wishing he had continued with other releases. I've not been able to find anything out about this artist's career. If anyone knows anything, I would appreciate an update.

Rare early '70s Deram psych / prog. One of the more interesting albums on the label with powerful distinctive male vocals, heavy guitar, bass keyboards and string arrangements. A bit like T2 in places... certainly a grower....

[Rate Your Music]

Zakarrias - Who Gave You Love

Zakarrias - Cosmic Bride

  

Tracks:
side one:
A1. Country Out Of Reach
A2. Who Gave You Love
A3. Never Reachin`
A4. The Unknown Years
side two:  
B1. Sunny Side
B2. Spring Of Fate
B3. Let Us Change
B4. Don't Cry
B5. Cosmic Bride

Personnel:
DON GOULD - keyb'ds, strings
MARTIN HARRISON - drms
GEOFF LEIGH - flute, sax
PETER ROBINSON - keyb'ds
ZAKARRIAS - vcls, gtr, bs, kazoo

[Rip and Scans by gigic2255]

Link:    393 mb/file

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