19 April 2024

Three Epics - Part Five: Zile Under Zed

 

Zenzile is a Dub band from Angers, France formed in 1996. They took their name from the famous South African poet & anti-apartheid activist, Zenzile Miriam Makeba. The band is made up of, at various times, Alexandre Raux, Erik Sevret, Javier Maillet, Jean Christophe Wauthier, Matthieu Bablee, & Vincent Erdeven. 

Dub is usually an instrumental style, but the musicians of Zenzile are well-known for their leftist politics & often give voice to their beliefs lyrically with regular guest singers Jamika Ajalon, David Alderman, & Jean Gomis. 

Zenzile is a forerunner in the French 21st Century Dub movement but their style is unique, incorporating rock, electronics, punk, soul jazz, even folk. Always riddim driven, each new release focuses on the bands musically superb talents. One never knows what an upcoming Zenzile release will sound like other than that it will be great.

In 1998, Zenzile self-released their debut, a four song EP Dub Promozione to introduce themselves to the world.

Zenzile - Dub Promozione, Zenzile self-released, 1998.
all decryption codes in comments

Amor y Coning
Nexus6
Long Ride
Amor y Coning (alternate take)
 
 
 
 


The following year they released their debut full-length on Crash Disques.
 
 

Zenzile - Sachem in Salem, Crash Disques CRASH CD 22, 1999.

Dub Trooper   
Dub Vendetta   
Single Shot   
Pyrrhus Victory   
H-Air   
Alkaline O.D.   
Pumpin'   
Warning   
Sachem in Salem
 
 
 
 
 

Jumping ahead to 2002s Totem, it was released on Small Axe & is more indie rock influenced Dub, true to Zenzile's exquisite musical vision while reaching out to touch on sounds the band loved.
 
 
Zenzile - Totem, Small Axe...Small 028, 2002.

Pandora's Box
Smell the Roses
Morning Daylight
Open
Anti Bass Neighbourhood
Change
Close
Axis of Evil
Western Addict
She Landed Here
Lacrima
 
 
 
 

Enjoy,

8 comments:

  1. Dub Promozione
    ZdZ4KLI7ydPwPmSMZnO3nqZCC63dUsWOKu-y3MDyMWY
    Sachem in Salem
    lIkhj9XL4fgDDJghqNpjZeq2_rdRSohe5GoFCErOsjw
    Totem
    7r2Wl0XzctbugmEvVALU3BCn6X0qlXFX8eIRqykXGgk

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm going to give 'Sachem in Salem' a listen. Your references to their leftist politics and Zenzile Miriam Makeba grab my attention. Many thanks.

    Brian

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks NØ. I listened to "Elements" back along (which was OK) so will give these earlier recordings a bash!
    MarkyD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elements is a soundtrack to an art installation. It is quite unique in their catalogue. These earlier three are a good lead-in. All their music is top-notch, but as per the theme of Three Epics, many are unique to the time or purpose of the band.

      Delete
  4. Thanks NØ. Great to see Zenzile here. Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, brother. Good taste on your part, as usual. More to come.

      Delete

  5. Thanks NO, it's like drinking from a firehose of musical goodness!

    ReplyDelete