We were terribly saddened to learn today of the passing of one of the music world's most fascinating architects, Hector Zazou. Zazou was one of my all time favorite producers who has left behind a unique and diverse body of work that transcends genres and boundaries.
I first became aware of his music through his contributions to the wonderful Made to Measure series from our friends at Crammed Disc. I then had the tremendous good fortune to see his seminal Afro/Electro fusion group Zazou/ Bikaye play live at the Kitchen performance space in New York some time in the 80's.
There is no doubt in my mind that Zazou's early fusions of far flung sounds from Africa, Scandinavia and the Middle East with atmospheric electronics imprinted themselves indelibly on my musical consciousness and were partially responsible for putting me on a path which eventually led to the musical direction of Six Degrees Records. I would rank him up in the pantheon of important musical instigators that includes Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, Holger Czukay and a very tiny handful of others who have stretched the parameters of the way we think of "world music" and music in general.
The music world will never see his like and is a much more boring place without his presence.
If you are not familiar with his work do yourself a favor and catch up with any of these fabulous releases:
To purchase Glyph ( also featuring Harold Budd) on Amazon.com click here
To purchase Saraha Blue on Amazon.com click here
To purchase Songs from the Cold Seas on Amazon.com click here
To purchase Noir Et Blanc on Amazon.com click here
If you already own some of his music- put it on and allow yourself to be taken up by his special genius and spare a moment to salute this quiet maverick who we will all miss terribly.
For more on Hector Zazou go to:
http://www.crammed.be/news/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hector_Zazou
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