Zak Najor, batteur/producteur de Zbonics
Back in 2001, producer/drummer Zak Najor put together an all-stars band and recorded a soulful and timeless jazz/funk album under the Zbonics name. Time to Do Your Thing is now available on Membran Records and features an early recording session of contemporary jazz singer Gregory Porter.
Funk-U : What is the signification of the Zbonics name ?
Zak Najor : The name Zbonics was borrowed from the word Ebonics. The word Ebonics is a hybrid word created by the words ebony and phonics. I started calling my music zbonics because my first name is Zak and I thought it would be a clever way to convey the idea that it was my music or language. Plus, since my music has many characteristics of soul, jazz and funk, (sounds that are commonly associated with the African American community) I thought it would quickly invoke the sound of the music through the title.
What is the back story of Zbonics ?
Back in 1997, I had an analog 12 track recorder in my garage. I would have local San Diego musicians (like Gregory Porter) come over and lay down vocals, play percussion, guitar, keyboards, etc. on the demos. Essentially, Zbonics started out as a studio project involving several different musicians and the group developed from there.
When did the recording session take place ?
In the summer of 2001, I was contacted by Justin Prizant with Session Resurection Records and he was interested in producing an album with me featured on the drums. I had done several live recording sessions and was eager to do a more extensively produced record. In other words, instead of doing a 4-6 hour recording session I was really interested in doing an epic studio album that not only took time BUT would stand the test of time. We recorded the drums in the fall of 2001 and over the course of a year added the other instruments.
What are your main musical influences ?
Soul-I really enjoy Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, and Earth, Wind, and Fire. I’m a huge fan of Jazz saxophonist and composer, Wayne Shorter. As far as Funk-definitely Bootsy’s (Collins) Rubberband.
What did Gregory Porter bring to the project ?
Gregory is known as an incredible vocalist and he lent his voice and lyrical talent generously to the project. He had a wonderful way of interpreting the music into words. It was great working with him.
Do you consider the album title as a statement ?
Time to Do Your Thing is actually the title of a song that we covered by Eddie Harris. Ironically, this was the first time that I got to do ‘MY’ thing. Up until this project, I had played and collaborated on several albums without a real sense of fulfilling my own artistic and musical vision. This record allowed me to do that so I would say that the title is definitely a statement.
Is the song « Issues of Life » autobiographical ?
« Issues of Life » was the first song that Gregory Porter and I collaborated on. I had already written and recorded the music prior to us meeting. When we eventually sat down to work together, I played Greg the music and expressed my vision of what I wanted the lyrics to convey. He was able to draw upon his own experiences and tell a story that we both could relate to.
Any chance of a Zbonics european tour ?
I would love to tour Europe, again. I spent a lot of time there with The Greyboy Allstars in the mid-nineties and was greatly impacted by the culture(s) and musicianship of the people. I don’t know how quickly I’ll be able to return but God willing it will be sooner than later.
Interview : Jacques Trémolin
Zbonics Time to Do Your Thing (Membran/Harmonia Mundi). Disponible le 4 juin en CD et digital.
