Zascant
Los Angeles, California, United States | INDIE | AFM
Music
Press
Scooter P. und Tony J. – Zascant sind 2 überaus gestandene Herren, die es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht haben die Damenwelt rundum zu beglücken – wie wir aus eigener, oft genug leidvoller Erfahrung wissen, eine Aufgabenstellung, die nicht nur den ganzen Mann fordert, sondern – na ja, sie sind halt anspruchsvoll, die Damen. Zascant aber kennen sich aus und mittels einiger salbungsvoller Worte mit verstärktem Stimmband-Vibrato sorgt das Duo für die nötige Einstimmung für den daran anschließenden Liebes-Lied-Reigen. Auf vollsynthetischer Unterlage breiten die Beiden einen samtenen Wohlfühl-Sound aus, über dem Sänger Anthony „Tony J.“ Johnson seine eigenen Aktionen zudem noch in hoch gestapelte Vokal-Harmonien verpackt. Das Ergebnis verbleibt in jedem Takt in angenehmen Sphären, die nicht von ungefähr an ähnlich gelagerter Sounds aus den seligen 80zigern gemahnen. Selbstverständlich nehmen sich die Gentlemen die nötige Zeit, um ihre Qualitäten entsprechend zu vermitteln – in den gediegen schwingenden Midtempos „So Fine“, „Please Stay“, „Who Is It“ oder „Sexy, Sexy“ (mit besonderen Anleihen an die Ideen eines Leon Sylvers etc.) lassen sie manch´ nette Melodei mit Nachdruck erklingen – irgendwie weich und dezent, ja fast unauffällig – Zascant wissen eben , wie man sich zu Benehmen hat – und vor allem auch, wann es gilt, genau dieses Verhalten den zwischenmenschlichen Gegebenheiten anzupassen (nachzuhören u.a. in „Cream“). Erwähnenswert: von besonderer (Herzens)Wärme ist übrigens ihre Liebeserklärung an den Herrn ausgefallen – wundervolle Melodieführung, vollendete Vocals, sanft-blubbernder Background – simply beautiful!
www.soulsite.de - Soul Site / Germany
For Women Only (ZM Records)
These days soul music takes many forms, most of it watered down by the influence of major record companies to provide radio fodder for the masses who generally can't be bothered to look beyond the charts. The Psychologists call it subliminal brainwashing! So it's good to see that the 'real' genre is not just surviving but thriving thanks predominately to the internet. Artistes of long standing are now able to make their talents be both seen and heard without prostituting themselves to record companies and in the process losing artistic control.
This then is the background to this debut set from retro-soul duo, Zascant. Drummer, Alonzo Powell,Jr and vocalist Anthony Johnson III are the duo in question and together they have penned all of the eight tracks featured on this CD. Tight soulful harmonies are the order of the day, best illustrated on the track 'Who is it' which allows a nod to the urban market with the introduction of rapper Esq on the chorus.
As the album title suggests this is an album of mostly downtempo gems aimed at the art of seduction-sorry romance! I doubt whether the sexist lyrics of 'Cream' would impress any sophisticated woman to allow any male within earshot with or without a bottle of wine! That being said it's the music that really counts and the mid-tempo first single 'Please Stay' and the Gospel influenced 'Place of Peace' are fine examples of top league contemporary soul. Solid production adds to an album that the duo should be proud of. An album to be enjoyed on its musical merits with no ulterior motive in mind. Men take note, Women, be careful!!
A real gem and then some!
- James Lewis - Soul Of Amsterdam
ZASCANT - For Women Only (US Zascant Music, 2005)
So Fine - Place Of Peace - Please Stay - Sunshine - Sexy Sexy - Who Is It (feat Esq) - Can't Deny The Love - Cream
Zascant's mission is clear enough. They want to bring back real soul to the marketplace, and that's something all of us won't argue with. Zascant are a duo comprised of Alonzo "Scooter" Powell Jr who has spent years drumming with James Ingram and Norman Brown amongst others, and Anthony Johnson III who supplies the smooth, soulful vocals. Not unlike Trei who I have recently applauded, Zascant have a pwerful array of soulful weaponry and hopefully CD Baby will be the best place for their arsenal. The group grew up and was inspired by the Isley Brothers, Heat Wave, the Stylistics, Marvin Gaye, Barry White, Sly Stone, James Brown, Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Peabo Bryson, Earth Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder. Yes, I think I can see where their mission statement was born. This is an 8 track CD and for these ears four tracks really and seriously demand your attention. I recommend the first 4 songs as they represent some of the best soul / R&B released so far in 2005. The opening tapper has an 80s feel and reminds me slightly of some of the material on the latest and most excellent effort by Lenny Williams. Anthony's vocals really are great and this song will warm the old cockles of your heart as it dis mine, I'm sure. When I originally checked this CD out on CD Baby I was absolutely convinced about these two gentlemen when I had got about 20 seconds into the KILLER gospel ballad, "Place Of Peace", which is so strong and so essential that it is beyond belief. This is a straight out classic song in the mould of, say, the Winans and I cannot stop playing it. Having been blown away with this I was not ready for yet another KILLER in the form of "Please Stay" which is a brilliantly addictive midtempo effort that would not sound too far out of place amongst 80s classics such as The Chi-Lites "Runnin' Around". This is real soul music, fellow connoiseurs so have no fear. Already Zascant have fulfilled their mission. The final cut for me is the aptly titled "Sunshine" which has a loose beat, expansive synth and summery keyboards. The only distraction for me is the crackly record effect. I never liked crackles when I bought vinyl years ago, and I am not a fan of hearing it on CDs today - BUT this is still a massive track and highly enjoyable to boot. Tracks 5 to 8 really did not hit me in the same "wow" area but cannot at all be considered bad at all. "Sexy Sexy" is an outright 80s stepper, and isn't bad at all but I feel the final tracks lack the power and conviction of the first 4 songs. Again, with the sheer essential nature of tracks 1 to 4 this is not a problem, simply an aside. Please check out Zascant and their website. They look the part, sound the part and so as far as I am concerned the duo are a success and should be cheered for producing some of the most essential soul music so far this year. - Barry Towler - Soulexpress.net
Discography
For Women Only - 2005
Photos
Bio
Scooter P. one of today’s top jazz drummers, has toured and recorded with artists including Norman Brown, James Ingram, Brian Simpson,The Platters, and Bruce Conte, he has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Ronnie Laws, Jennifer Holiday and Will Downing and been on world tour with “Bloodstone.” Tony J. is best known for his years as a front man with the contemporary gospel group “God’s Elect,” he has performed at the infamous “Concerts by the Sea” and opened up for Bebe & Cece Winans, Crystal Lewis, John Gibson and Kenny Smith.
Zascant’s Mission Is Clear Enough. They want to bring back real soul to the marketplace. In producing this recording, Scooter P. and Tony J. have fulfilled part of their dream –– the birth of Zascant. Scooter P. finally gets to show his own talent in writing, arranging, drumming on this great soulful debut CD and with Tony J’s smooth lyrics and harmonic vocal arrangements the duo is complete. They grew up and was inspired by the Isley Brothers, Heat Wave, the Stylistics, Marvin Gaye, Barry White, Sly Stone, James Brown, Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Peabo Bryson, Earth Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder. We can see where their mission statement was born.
This is what Barry Towler, Soul Express, said in his review; “Tony J’s vocals really are great and this song will warm the old cockles of your heart as it did mine, I’m sure. When I originally checked this CD out on CD Baby I was absolutely convinced about these two gentlemen when I had got about 20 seconds into the KILLER gospel ballad, “Place Of Peace,” which is so strong and so essential that it is beyond belief. This is a straight out classic song in the mould of, say, the Winans and I cannot stop playing it.”
“For Women Only” contains eight original tracks, featuring guest appearance by rapper “Esq.” The album was developed and recorded in Scooter P’s Zascant Music home studio, allowing him and Tony J. to develop the material along the way. The music is best described as “Organic Retro Soul,” old-school soul, with commercial appeal that spans the contemporary and urban markets. It is an innovative return to real soul music with telling lyrics, inventive musical artistry and strong performance from Tony J. and Scooter P. (For additional information, please go to http://www.zascant.com)
Zascant’s Manager Myron Bernard, who also manages singer Lynne Fiddmont and drummer Rayford Griffin, said: “Zascant brings the “sing-a-long” vibe back to music. Here you have the hypnotic lead singer supported by smooth backing vocals and a cool beat to keep you moving and grooving on the dance floor. The Zascant sound is new, yet familiar to the heart. The Music Industry definitely needs more of these kind of romantic love songs on the charts today.”
Myron Bernard continues, “The Zascant sound provides the backdrop pulse for the classic contempory soul of R&B. With the wonderful response we got from the advance single, “Please Stay,” overseas, specially in the UK and Japan, I believe they will continue to spread their signature sound of organic love in their debut CD, “For Women Only.”
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