Fresh from well-received support slots with The Kooks and The Raconteurs (and a triumphant appearance at Clash Club) 747s pull it all together for their debut long player ‘Zampanò’.
Named after the circus strongman in Fellini’s ‘La Strada’, the name reflects the disparate origins of the members, boasting an Irishman, a German, an Englishman and an Italian. I’ll sidestep the obvious joke and get right to the music. Opening track ‘ Missed That Sun’ documents the band’s early days busking around Southern Italy and France and an epic journey to collect members across Europe. Its harmonies and infectious optimism captures perfectly the journey south from Germany to the warmer climes of Italy and their future. Elsewhere, legendary trombonist Rico Rodriguez (The Skatalites, The Specials) appears on the gentle skank of ‘Rain Kiss’ and ‘Miles Away’ further showcases their eclectic style with its bar room piano and drunken sashaying. Definitely a band to keep an eye on.
