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Zo?phyte: Galapagos

By Ian Patterson
August 22, 2023
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Zo?phyte is a ten-piece pop band boasting some of London's finest jazz musicians. Its debut album, Signs Of Life (Howlin' Werewolf, 2020), was a pleasing hybrid of uber-catchy grooves, ear-bending psychedelia and sizzling jazz virtuosity. How could it be otherwise for a band that cites influences as diverse as Canterbury progressives Soft Machine and Caravan, psychedelic soulsters The Fifth Dimension, rock antiheroes Chicago and

Steely Dan

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Steely Dan, and nu-jazz conceptualist

Robert Glasper

piano
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Robert Glasper? One pandemic later, this genre-slippery unit delivers another slice of uplifting, summery jazz-pop.

Eleven originals are roughly split between instrumentals and vocal numbers, with groove and melody the blood in Zoophyte's veins. Singer

Peter Jones

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Jones' warm yet mellow tenor is central to Zoophyte's light 'n' breezy aesthetic, notably on the radio-friendly "Working Hours" and "Let's Get Out Of The City," while smart horn arrangements allow trumpeter

Graeme Flowers

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Graeme Flowers, tenor saxophonist/flautist

Vasilis Xenopoulos

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Vasilis Xenopoulos and trombonist

Tim Smart

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Smart to shine. Pick of the horn-driven numbers are "Edwin's Mood," a bouncing feel-good anthem that features a fine turn from guitarist

Rob Luft

guitar
b.1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Rob Luft, and the brushes-steered ballad "Wait Until Dark."

Lyrically, maritime imagery abounds, with chief song-writers Jones and Trevor Lever evoking a little of Caravan's English whimsy on "Not What," a fantastical adventure to an underwater world. Elsewhere, the lyrics tackle more concrete themes such as work-life balance and recognising inner strength. Zoophyte may offer terrific escapism, but its music is also socially conscious. Solos short-and-sweet pepper the tunes, while bassist Dave Jones, drummer

Sophie Alloway

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Sophie Alloway and keyboardist

Ross Stanley

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Ross Stanley provide vibrant, multi-hued rhythms that waste no time in burrowing their way under one's skin.

A buoyant soundtrack to sun-filled days of romance and adventure, Galapagos flies the flag for smart pop and accessible jazz. Stylish crossover music that is both sophisticated and fun.

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Track Listing

Edwin��s Mood; Working Hours; Wait Until Dark; Let��s Get Out Of The City; If You Have Gold; St. Dude; Open Book; Encircled by Seal; How You Stayed Alive; Amphibious; Not What.

Personnel

Peter Jones

vocals

Additional Instrumentation

Sophie Allowsy: drums; Clara Bing: backing vocals; Graeme Flowers: trumpet; Will Fry: percussion; Dave Jones: bass; Rob Luft: guitar; Tim Smart: trombone; Ross Stanley: keys; Vasilis Xenopoulos: tenor saxophone, flute.

Album information

Title: Galapagos | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Howlin' Werewolf

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