Earl ZingerPut Your Phazers On Stun...Review

Currently in contention for the longest album title this year Put Your Phazers On Stun Throw Your Health Food Skyward is the creative outpouring of the none other than legendary musical collaborator Earl Zinger. Heard of him? No surprises if you haven't, as Earl is more of a 'behind the scenes man'. Beginning his career in New York in the late forties, Zinger has pursued a musical lexicon across the decades that is without parallel. Befriending soldiers of the zeitgeist such as Burroughs, Kerouac, Perry, Marley, McLaren, Dylan, Cool Herc, Levan, Eric B, Derrick May and Paul Oakenfold - the press release accompanying this album would have us believe that no musical era has been spared from the Midas like fingering of Mr Zinger. In addition, it is also claimed that Zinger pioneered the early experiments with MDMA, MDA and MDF.

OK, so you're probably not buying any of this are you? Quite right too. The cold reality is that Earl Zinger is the pseudonym of Rob Gallagher formerly of the band Galliano and, like the wild fantasies that comprise Earl's background, Put Your Phazers On Stun& is a bit of a laugh. However, the much-travelled path of his alter ego is a fitting metaphor for the musical ports of call included in this bizarre yet wonderful cocktail.

Hybridisation is raised to a new level as "Go Round" takes the guitar hook from Badly Drawn Boy's "Once Around The Block" and sets the story of urban adventure to the melody "My Favourite Things" from The Sound of Music. Inspired. Similarly, the dub excursion "Song 2Wo" (Zinger's take on Blur's thrash pop classic) will raise a smile and warrant repeat plays to your mates.

These tracks alone highlight the variety of the record yet the common thread of the highs and lows of urban living underpins much of the song writing. Perhaps this is best demonstrated in "Saturday Morning Rush" where Earl takes us on a mission to find the new Skitz record. Rapid, descending bass line accompanied by frantic piano and drums speed Earl on his way across London to try and find the new 12" record breaking the Hackney land speed record.

Through Zinger's enthusiasm and story telling Put Your Phazers... explores the lighter side of dub, jazz and hip hop whilst measuring the temperature of the current musical climate, (check out "Escape From Ibiza") and all with a wry smile too! An album for those with a sense of humour who think in widescreen. Dubnospaceintheplaceman!