REVIEWS for The Art Of Happy Accidents

HOT PRESS. Nov 2015
ZRAZY
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The Art Of Happy Accidents
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IRISH DUO RETURN WITH DAZZLING COLLECTION
Maria Walsh and Carole Nelson have musical talent to burn. Between them, they play piano, saxophone, keyboards, flute and percussion – all of which feature on this superbly named collection. The duo specialise in a blend of smooth jazz, cocktail lounge soul and funk that’s infused with dance-come-electronica textures and rhythms – topped with lithe and enchanting vocals. These diverse elements are melded and duly stamped with the unique Zrazy signature. It is one hell of a brew.
     Happy accidents indeed! Clearly a lot of thought and work has gone into the arrangements. ‘Forgiven’ blends torch balladry with a modern hip-hop-ish beat. The hypnotic , euphoric ‘You make Me Happy’ clocks in at seven minutes – a shorter single version is also included. ‘Go Now’- a beautiful song about love lost – starts as a kind of Broadway/West End musical number, but when the rhythm track kicks in , morphs into something much more contemporary.
   The cheekily titled ‘Down With Jazz’ meanwhile. Is a funky workout with fascinating lyrics and effortlessly cool vocals – Soul II Soul meets Young Disciples. There’s a history lesson in there too – a spoken word interlude mentions the Gaelic Leagues’ infamous complaints about the broadcasting of jazz in Ireland in the 1930s. Heavily syncopated and danceable, ‘It’s Alright’ is Latin-tinged, Song For Jim’ is a sultry ballad in a Sinatra vein (think ‘One for My Baby’) and ‘Keep On Giving It’ is a terrific, uptempo modern soul cut.
    All told, The Art Of Happy Accidents is the work of a class act. It’s about time Zrazy got the recognition they deserve.                                                                                                                
​Colm O’Hare