Following their sold-out show at the Shacklewell Arms last week, and with their second album Shackles’ Gift due for release 26th January on Bella Union, ZUN ZUN EGUI have just announced news of a 9-date UK tour in early March. The band will be bringing their incredible live show show to a town near you…
Wednesday 17 December – LONDON – Oslo (Quietus Christmas Party)
Tuesday 3 March – CAMBRIDGE – The Portland Arms
Wednesday 4 March – NOTTINGHAM – Bodega
Thursday 5 March – SHEFFIELD – The Harley
Friday 6 March – GLASGOW – Stereo
Tuesday 10 March – BRISTOL – The Exchange
Wednesday 11 March – LEICESTER – The Musician
Thursday 12 March – LONDON – Café Oto
Friday 13 March – READING – South Street Arts
Saturday 14 March – BIRMINGHAM – The Sunflower Lounge
Zun Zun Egui formed in Bristol in late 2008 – Mauritian guitarist and singer Kushal Gaya met and started making music with Japanese keyboard player Yoshino Shigihara after they had both moved to the UK and a core group of musicians soon formed around them. A love for experimentation, free jazz, fusion, DIY culture, throwing parties and playing wild shows was the glue that bonded the outfit together. After an early clutch of raw and experimental EPs, they focused their song-writing talents and mastery of many styles to create a recognisable Zun Zun Egui sound which included tropicalia, punk funk, Afrobeat, Ethio jazz and no wave. All of these varied disciplines were marshalled to produce their first album “Katang” which was widely hailed as one of the most exciting debuts of 2011. Even for a band as exploratory and talented as ZZE though, the step up in terms of songwriting and inspiration since “Katang” is astounding and it is clear that Shackles’ Gift looks like being one of the most unique and thrilling records that will be released in 2015.
Produced by Andrew Hung of Fuck Buttons, “Shackles’ Gift” is the album that Zun Zun Egui have always threatened to deliver and we always believed they would. Opening with ‘Rigid Man’, it hits the listener with bone-shaking tropical funk. Future single ‘African Tree’ strolls past on a marching band rhythm, complete with an arena-sized chorus and Kyuss-heavy stoner rock guitars. ‘Ruby’ is like imperial period Depeche Mode discovering the delights of industrial dancehall reggae, while ‘I Want You To Know’ is an absolute funk/noise rock monster, sounding like Queens Of The Stone Age jamming on ‘Kashmir’…