John Paul Jones Zooma CD - Import

Led Zeppelin fans waiting nearly two decades for John Paul Jones to release a solo album could be forgiven for assuming that the bassist/keyboardist had probably mellowed with age. Luckily, ZOOMA reveals the exact opposite to be true. Long known to be the driving force behind many of Zep's most experimental moments, Jones here goes for the jugular, delivering a slab of highly aggressive instrumental music that sounds like his former band jamming with a punk rock King Crimson. Replete with crushingly heavy grooves and gnarly sounds courtesy of an array of standard, 10-, and 12-string basses, the album twists and turns like a monster serpent devouring everything in its path. Notable guests include frequent Robert Fripp collaborator Trey Gunn and Butthole Surfers guitarist Paul Leary, the presence of both of whom gives some indication of ZOOMA's intensity and disregard for expectations.

Recorded at The Malthouse and Air Studios, London, England, Skip Saylor, Los Angeles, California and Pedernales Studios, Spicewood, Texas.

Personnel includes: John Paul Jones (conductor, guitar, electric mandola, organ, 4-, 10-, 12-string & lap steel basses, kyma); Paul Leary, Trey Gunn (guitar); Pete Thomas (drums); Denny Fongheiser (djembe).

Engineers include: Richard Evans, Stuart Sullivan, Brian Foraker.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Rolling Stone (9/30/99, pp.84-5) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...downright hellbent grooves....Jones creates thunderous, King Crimson-like, brainiac rock with a battery of four-, ten- and twelve-string basses....Jones has outpaced his more flamboyant former band mates in the adventurous department."
Alternative Press (11/99, pp.104-5) - 3 out of 5 - "...goes a long way toward proving he's capable of serving up a slamming blend of classic blues grit and contemporary, head-banging rock-and-roll....proof that rockers over 50 still have what it takes to create fresh, incendiary music."
The Wire (9/99, p.58) - "...undeniably visceral....it becomes apparent that JPJ is basically refining his past....'Snake Eyes' and 'Nosumi Blues'...would have sounded right at home on PRESENCE."
Mojo (Publisher) (9/99, p.112) - "...a bass-man's album in excelsis, an instrumental set which, on an open-windowed sunny day, could knock the whole street down....Well past bombastic technical display, Jones just goes for power and thrill..."