Hector Zazou

4-30-08 Hector Zazou

CD 12 (LAS VEGAS IS CURSED) (with Sandy Dillon) CRAMMED BEL CRAM 097

CD BARRICADE 3 (ZNR) ReR US ReRZNR1

LP BARRICADE 3 (ZNR) ISADORA FR ISA 9002

LP GEOGRAPHIES CRAMMED BEL MTM 5LP

LP GEOLOGIES CRAMMED BEL MTM 20LP

LP GUILTY (as “Zazou-Bikaye”) CRAMMED BEL CRAM 062LP

LP LA PERVERSITA INVISIBLE FR SCOPA 10005

CD LIVE AT THE CROC (as “Slow Music”) SLOW MUSIC MQD 0236

LP NOIR ET BLANC (as “Zazou-Bikaye”) CRAMMED BEL CRAM 025LP

LP REIVAX AU BONGO (O.S.T.) CRAMMED BEL MTM 2 LP

CD SONGS FROM THE COLD SEAS COLUMBIA US CK 67068

I first encountered Hector Zazou after his debut with Joseph Racaille with ZNR “Barricade 3” on Isadora Records, from France, towards the end of the 70’s. To be honest, it was impossible to tell which things on that fine LP that Mr. Zazou was responsible for and which things Mr. Racaille did. I just liked the overall sound.

Zazou is a reasonably difficult guy to categorize. I had the opportunity to see him perform on a stage not that long ago, with “Slow Music” in Los Angeles. This group also contained King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp. It was very difficult to tell who was making what sound from where we were sitting; Zazou was seated behind a keyboard. I guess he has always thrived on collaborations.

Apart from the aforementioned “Barricade 3”, my favorite album listed above is “La Perversita”, a delightful post-wave LP that I do not believe has made it to the CD format. With it’s garish Kiki Picasso artwork on the cover (and some truly perverse artwork contained within), this LP boasts the strangest possible cover version of Les Rolling Stones’ hit single “Satisfaction” as well as lots of other astonishing music; it reminds me a little bit of the New York group Material (but it was released before the first Material 12” singles were).

Mr. Zazou has had a long association with Crammed Disques, the Belgian avant-pop label. There are some records / CD’s on Crammed that I really love, like Aksak Maboul “Onze Danses…” for example. However, I’m not sure if Mr. Zazou has ever worked with Marc Hollander ( = Mr. Aksak Maboul ) or not.

I’ve been into Mr. Zazou’s various works for about 30 years – but I really do not know a hell of a lot about him. I’ve bought nearly every LP / CD I’ve ever seen with his name present, and I’ve never been disappointed with any of them. “Barricade 3” and “La Perversita” are the two I recommend the most, the latter likely being not too easy to locate, in the new century.

So, thanks for the music, Mr. Zazou. I wish you many more successful collaborations.