Listen to audio

Run time: 57:38

Stream (help)

MP3 via M3U

Play / Download (help)

Whole directory

Resources

Mark Kissinger & Rotcod ZzajMark Kissinger and Rotcod Zzaj - Free Spirit Suites - ZP33 ()

Mark Kissinger (super electric guitarist from Pennsylvania) & Rotcod Zzaj join together in a Y2K reprise that will KNOCK yer' sockzoff! A very beautiful and "gypsylike" musical experience, totally accessible & with music for all tastes!

This album features Zzaj vocals (a fairly rare occasions) on 2 tracks, "Rhythm Rider" & "Speak EZ", both from poems he wrote many years ago, then turned to music.

All we ask in return for giving you this music is (if you can spare a moment) that you write us a REVIEW (bottom of page), please. Our THANKS in advance!


This audio is part of the collection: Zzaj Productions

Artist/Composer: Mark Kissinger & Rotcod Zzaj
Date: 0000-00-00 00:00:00
Source: Zzaj Productions
Label / Recorded by: Mark Kissinger & Rotcod Zzaj
Keywords: Psychedelic; Experimental; Psychedelic Rock

Notes

The following review, by long-time underground reviewer Bret Hart, will give you a pretty decent idea of what the music on this fine CD is really all about!

On Whirling Dervish got The Ventures pulling teeth from
the jaw of Stanley Turrentine...falling through flesh tubes and treading dream-corridors with Dialogue for Drifters...when it's processed well, the rote percussion programs possess a robotic grin and mechanical grandeur, which insert moments of "meet George Jetson!" into the landscapes these boys conjure. I go pretty far back with both of these jokers and Mark still wrests some of the most obtuse CHUNKS and skanky MOANS from his axe. Zzaj (Dick Metcalf) is...well, "Zzaj". I've had the benefit of hearing scads of his work, and have read reviews of lots of what I haven't myself heard... Zzaj's keyboards are attacked with a childlike wonder, punky confidence, and he is generally operating within knowable parameters (slo-blooze, lounge-jazz, free-form splatter, etc) regardless of with whom he collaborates. One listen, and you go, "There's a whole lotta DICK in there."

Individual Files

Write a review
Downloaded 2,355 timesReviews
Average Rating:

Reviewer: daveg - - October 4, 2005
Subject: Uh...where is it?
Pulled from the Archive?

Reviewer: ssdd2djinn - - May 11, 2005
Subject: - Free Spirit Suites - ZP33
why is this here?

Reviewer: Bodo - - March 26, 2005
Subject: Free spirit suites
This music makes me feel like being bitten in the ass by something or my mind being torted or loosened, but it is rather warm-weird...makes me grin...I like it.

Reviewer: Larry Tuttle - - February 6, 2005
Subject: Free Spirit Suites
Nice work from Mark Kissinger and Rotcod Zzaj - all of the grooves and sonic backdrops are interesting and compelling. Each piece lives in it's own "sonic universe" - each has its own style while still fitting into the project as a whole.

The soloing definitely takes you places - it seems like a lot of attention was paid here to mood, vibe and attitude. The solos add a great spontaneity to the mix, keeping things nice and loose and free. Good work, guys!!!

Reviewer: andrew44 - - January 20, 2005
Subject: Free Spirits Suites - reviewed by Andrew Rejman
These tracks have lush sequences and rich synthesized moods resembling Bill Frisell's best cuts, with very fruitful structures!

The CD has nicely surprising sparkling tonal and harmonic ideas, and all this brings into my mind the only possible name I can think of for it: Nu Fusion!! yes, this is completely refreshing Nu Fusion.

Reviewer: Isbin - - January 20, 2005
Subject: Free Spirits Suites - short review by Gilbert Isbin
Great sonic, melodic multi-layered landscapes, -compositions and improvisations-,
intermingled with superb intervallic rock edgy but also jazz and blues influenced guitar soloing.
An intruiging and fascinating CD !

Reviewer: rickray - - January 17, 2005
Subject: Free Spirits Suites - short review by Rick Ray
Short Review: This is the definition of "cool". Very atmospheric. The soundtrack for a daydream. I'll let other people know this music exists. This is great that this can be downloaded and listened to for 'free'. More people should get into this frame of mind.

Reviewer: Mike Milillo - - January 15, 2005
Subject: Zzaj just being himself...No commercial potential...And that's a nice thing...
Zzaj's music always pulls me in different directions. And I always want to be pulled. I hate stagnantcy!
In mainstream music and yes right here in the Independent world of music that's still the predominant factor. Not many musicians are willing or they simply don't know how to push the illusioned boundaries of harmonic structure and expression. Zzaj is one of those iconoclasts that is able to and it appears it's second nature to him...
This CD is a wonderful testament to a man who understands the importance of an impromptu sit down of expression.
What Zzaj does is extremely important not only to himself but to trained and untrained ears for a more focused appreciation of what we can do with sound. We have the world at our feet, musically speaking, and Zzaj understands this implicitly...
I endorse Mr. Rotcod's vision of music vehemently...
A wonderful collection of sound that is refreshing and intelligent. And what's more important, it's a small opening into this man's soul...

Reviewer: JBroad - - January 15, 2005
Subject: Guitar Mangulation
Some stankin' wild guitar sounds on here. I'll bet this was fun to play. Lots of attention to texture in zzaj's playing.

Reviewer: rotcod - - January 15, 2005
Subject: Written by Wayne Wesley Johnson
Wayne e-mailed me this review on 1/15/2005; said he couldn't get it to post under his username, & asked me to post it for him:


Free Spirit Suites
by Mark Kissinger and Rotcod Zzaj

I'm a "sound" freak...and believe me this CD is all about sound....oozing with great tone, and intensely rhythmic. I just love the moodscapes feel to some of the tunes, too. Dick (Rotcod) lays down a strong foundation, with his keyboard and provides Mark with the opportunity to have an improvisational field day....particularly with his lead guitar and distortion module. The two gents play with no barriers. The pattern bass lines are in the pocket and along with the percussive nature of the pieces, get your foot tapping. The progressive jazz-like dissonance creates tension and the modulations and resolve, feel good...brings you back to a peaceful place. My favorite track seems to be Dialogue for Drifters. As a musician, get out your axe, close your eyes, lay back and let the sounds invite you to join the party....Obviously, Mark and Rotcod are having just too much fun. This is an extraordinary recording with some real dimension to it. Two fine musicians with a very unique set of recordings.

Wayne Wesley Johnson
guitarist / producer / songwriter