Customer Reviews

Bang!Zoom

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is a must for all music-lovers, embracing the spirit of soul, the art of jazz and the mood of top-quality classical music. The Yellowjackets, who are well known for their successful collaborations with various artists, sets the scene perfectly and creates the best possible background for Mcferrins vocal-skills. No need to hesitate; just buy it.

I love how people try to classify Mr. McFarrins music. To me it has no genre. Or better yet belongs in a genre of it's own - Bobby Music. As for this CD, it is with out a doubt one of my favorites. Much more mellow and contemporary than say, the Play album. If you like Mr. McFarrin's music beyond "Don't worry be Happy" I think you will enjoy this take. I turn to it when I've had a long day and need to slow things down a little. Bobby's voice is so calming; it has such a deep texture.

The title of the album is a bit misleading; there are no "fireworks". It's more like the mesmerizing feeling you get when you sit around a fire with your friends and talk.

Bobby Mcferrin, if anything, must be a Creative Genius! When we attended 2 concerts with the Atlanta Symphony, he conducted 5-6 of heavy Beethoven Symphony No 8, Ravel, Tchaikovsky... plus Impressionistic pieces that stayed in my memory for months! He is equally at home with classical, romantic, even Impressionism or flat-out Jazz!

Here in this 1995 CD I hear his creative genius in using 3,5,7,9 tone themes as contrapuntal themes either in contrary motion or mirror inversion or as patterns in cross-bar, cross-beat rhythm even as Robert Shaw described in conducting Beethoven's MISSA SOLEMNIS. Also I'm thrilled each time I hear these first three examples of Combined Vocalices + Instrumental tunes in contrast with each other!

Probably his Title Song, filling-up the first 5:32 minutes is one of interesting musical nuances, regardless whether one calls it bonefide Classical Jazz or anything else! Alongside FRIENDS and MERE WORDS, I love what he does with REMEBRANCE and the awesome SELIM of Miles Davis and his lush-sounding horn!

I really relate to this creative, freshly expressive performer, even when he just sits in a chair onstage, creating Musical Body Sounds for over 30 minutes! He is totally Amazing to this Elder, Retired Musician, Chaplain Fred W Hood

A truly great jazz album from a unique artist. Bobby McFerrin uses his voice as an instrument without singing one word. (Except on the vocal lyrical songs "Friends", "Heaven's Design", "My Better Half" and "Mere Words"). The rest of the songs are done in a unique scat-like way...his voice at times blending so well with the instruments, it at times doesn't sound human. The title song has an African flavour to it. I think it's the highlight of the album, although I do love all the songs. Also his version of Miles Davis' "Selim" is wonderful. His voice even, at times sounds like a trumpet...amazing. This is an album that needs to be heard and experienced...it's something that not only jazz fans will enjoy, but all music lovers.

As a loyal fan of Yellowjackets, I really enjoy the collaboration between McFerrin with Yellowjackets in Dreamland CD. In Dreamland, McFerrin sing an unforgettable tune called "Summersong."

Then, I just found out recently about this McFerrin's Bang! Zoom album, and it really blew my mind. All of the tracks here are just like listening to a great Yellowjackets album. It is a 'must have' if you are Yellowjackets fans. Try to listen to 'Remembrance,' 'Heaven's Design,' and the smooth jazz tunes 'Friends.'

Thanks to Chico for introducing this album to me.

I really enjoy McFerrin and his many faces in the music industry, but this album really and truly blew me away when I heard it. Russell Ferrante (of the Yellowjackets) writes much of the material and fellow Yellowjackets musicians (Kennedy, Haslip, Mintzer) join him. The writing is absolutely beautiful, treating McFerrin like simply a musician in the ensemble rather than always backing him up as a soloist. Take time to really explore this album - it always seems to open more beauty on each listen!

My first Mcferrin album and truly a wonderful CD. The interplay of his voice and the accompanying instruments makes for a mesmerising and yet at the same time soothing listen. A must buy!

I bought this CD when I came to the Netherlands for my studies. It helped me a lot cope with homesickness, the music (especially Kids' toys)creates pictures of a typical summerday in Africa. Thanks for the music bobby.

Fresh, new, surprising - Bobby Mcferrin. Mature jazzy soul of Bobby made me devoted to his voice. Coloured by thinked over acompaniment from jazz musicians "BANGg!zoOM" album will satisfy every jazz music fan even that who preffer only instrumental arrangement.

You can always count on Bobby Mc to perform songs "out of the box". That's always been his style. That "human beat box" part of him never dies. Good CD for riding.