Review: Zuco 103

Whaa!
Six Degrees Records

Lead singer Lilian Vieira is originally from Brazil, while the Stefans (Kruger and Schmid) are based in Holland. When one combines their individual talents, ethnocentric tastes and worldly wiles, you end up with the spice rack know as Zuco 103. On their latest release, Whaa!, Zuco 103 continue their musical journey into places both familiar and foreign.

In bringing back elements from previous releases, the trio holds on to the past while moving into the future. Vieira's voice is sparkling with the effervescence of a fine champagne. "Mayfly" and "Na Mangueira" are but two examples. A contribution by reggae legend Lee "Scratch" Perry adds a reggae flavor.

Whaa! is everything Zuco 103 has delivered in the past, but etched in a new fabric that is both alluring and comfortable.

On The Great Beyond scale, Whaa! projects itself toward Venus.