Zzebra was a top-notch 1970s British prog rock group -- a super group of sorts -- that threw jazz, rock, and African rhythms into a huge fusion blender. The original incarnation of the band featured guitarist Terry Smith (formerly in the group
If ), saxophonist Dave Quincy (also formerly in
If), flutist and saxophonist Lasisi “Loughty” Amao (formerly in
Osibisa), pianist and singer Gus Yeadon (formerly in
the Love Affair), bassist John McCoy, and drummer Liam Genockey. That was the unit that recorded and released the self-titled Zzebra in 1974. Smith left during sessions for the group’s second album, Panic, and was replaced by Steve Byrd. Panic appeared originally in 1975, followed by two more albums that year,
Lost World and Take It or Leave It (by which time the group featured keyboardist
Tommy Eyre and vocalist Alan Marshall). But that productive flurry was to be the end of the run for
Zzebra, and the group drifted to a close. All of
Zzebra’s material has been reissued in the digital era, often with additional bonus tracks drawn from McCoy’s personal tape archive of the band. ~ Steve Leggett