7 Heaven

Tonight’s “small room” performance should prove an ideal outlet for knocking the ring-rustiness out of Zero 7 on this their first live excursion in support of album number two, When It Falls. The music of producers Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns has undoubtedly visited numerous small rooms in the past following the somewhat unfortunate positioning of their debut LP, Simple Things, in the already congested chill-out niche.
To recapture the almost cinematic resonance of their studio output, the Zero 7 live experience has more of an ensemble feel to it. Indeed, as the opening strains of ‘Warm Sound’ announce the band’s arrival, the primary protagonists remain firmly in the background, leaving the responsibility of band spokesperson divided amongst their five vocalists.
And this is perhaps the masterstroke of the night. The revolving singer format brings an element of surprise and even a strange sense of continuity to the show. More importantly, it puts a charismatic face to music that could otherwise be deemed faceless. For instance, Mozez struts onto stage like he is the coolest funk-soul brother in town; Sia Furler amuses us with her quirky dancing; and Sophie Barker pulls off the near impossible by succeeding in beckoning the audience closer to the stage for ‘In The Waiting Line’.
The soundscapes created by Hardaker, Binns and co provide the perfect backdrop for all this vocal talent. The folk lilt of ‘Somersault’ intersperses Furler’s jazzy vocals with gently plucked guitars and strings. The swooning Mozez-led ‘I Have Seen’ smoothly moves from Quincy Jones-like strings to slick, urban-grounded soul. And a boisterous performance of ‘Destiny’ is enough to encapsulate the night for all in attendance, even if it sounds reminiscent of a certain Gallic duo that Zero 7 are frequently compared to.
Following a glorious encore sequence that includes ‘Morning Song’ and ‘Distractions’, Zero 7 exit prove they have given themselves enough scope to escape from the environs of the dinner-party sect.