18 Oct 2009 // A review by Miss_Jukebox
According to a calendar it is not Summer. If you follow the weather then it absolutely does not feel like Summer. But Sons of Zion have arrived and declared it IS Summer right now. And this band is so captivating you cannot help but believe them. Sons of Zion, their self-titled album, personifies an afternoon under the sun, enjoying a three-scoop ice-cream, where nothing can go wrong. This fusion band really have conveyed an array of genres from roots to rock therefore this is an album everyone can and should acquire.

It begins with the most beautiful opening to an album you would have heard in a long time, those first forty-seven seconds make you drop everything to listen to Sons of Zion. The album then shifts full blast into the first song, ‘Running.’ This song has familiar reggae rhythms and a masterful drum lead-in which then moves into gorgeous vocals. ‘Forward Movement’ brings a heavier funk rhythm. With a soulful electric guitar melody that is juxtaposed with synths, the vocals transmit a little more grit.

A show-stopping opening cements ‘Homey Girl’ as a highlight of the album. The song is pure romance containing all the highs of falling in love. ‘Without You’ has a nostalgic innocence that transports you to the waves of past summers. Half-way along the self-titled album and already it will have you sun kissed.

A feisty ‘Keep on Skankin’’ retains all the intrigue of Sons of Zion. It possesses the classic roots tempo with silky harmonies laid above it. ‘In Your Arms’ lets the electric guitar take centre-stage with a real rock’n’roll swagger that accompanies the fresh reggae beats. ‘Waiting Right Here’ features rapping by Hazadus who is commanding alongside the smouldering vocals.

‘Be With You’ has the chivalry that is lacking in so much music these days. Containing syrupy lyrics that have all the tenderness of‘old-school’ adoration, it is hard not to become smitten with this band. ‘Genesis’ is an energetic instrumental which makes for an epic conclusion to this wondrous album.

Sons of Zion is stunningly arranged and superbly performed. It is the album to welcome Summer. This band has all the makings of becoming one of this country’s most prominent dub fusion acts, and having performed with acclaimed artists like The Black Seeds and Katchafire they deserve to be ranked among our best. It does not matter where or when you listen to this album Sons of Zion unquestionably know how to delight any listener. Here is a bona fide feel-good album that, for ten songs, convinces you that it is Summer.

-By Janise

Sons Of Zion
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With their fusion of reggae, heavy rock, dub and funk, the Sons of Zion are a six piece crew based in Auckland. Their live stage presence has captivated audiences all over the country with their infectious sound, a mixture of reggae groove with melodic vocals, phat dubb bass lines and heavily distorted guitar rifts… there’s something for every musical taste within their original set.

Since their 2007 New Zealand Music Month debut, the Sons Of Zion have continued to build momentum in the NZ music industry and have stamped their unique sound locally at festivals such as Parachute, Native Noise Waitangi Day, Maoriside Tour and the 2008 V8 Super Cars just to name a few.

Although the group are fairly new on the roots scene they’ve already been scouted out to share the stage with some of the country’s best loved roots acts including Kora, Katchafire, The Black Seeds, Cornerstone Roots, Opensouls and House Of Shem.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Sons Of Zion

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