▶Zappacosta - The Only One 1990

Quick ... Don't Ask Any Questions sees Zappacosta changes tack slightly and heads down a predominately MOR road, but the material is classy enough to get AOR heads and melodic rockers interested. The production is super tight, added to that the crispness of the instruments: notably Luciani's wonderful piano and synth textures, as well as Bowler's pulsing bass. But by and large it's Alfie's impassioned vocals which win the day. This guy could sing in a bus stop, a jazz bar, a shower, or a large concert arena and still sound great. He opens the album with the rather funky 'Letter Back' which leads us into the sublime 'Nothing To Do With Love' where Luciani's stabbing grand piano tones resonate class and reminds one of an AOR version of UK's greatest jazz/funk/pop exponents Shakatak. The gorgeous ballad 'Simple Words To Say' is pretty amazing to say the least. This one has some awesome lyrics. Guys .. if you need to strike up the courage to get close to that special lady of your dreams, then listen to this track! The tight jazz fusion flavored 'Good Intentions' is carried on a wave of a tight bass and piano arrangement. Very nice, as is the piano solo and haunting vocal harmonies. An AOR delight is the subtle warmth of 'The Only One' where the keyboards are like a warm blanket drifting off into the stratosphere. 'Keep Up' is an upbeat affair with a vocal dialogue like a TV Cop Show narration! Interestingly different, as is the jazz workout 'Manny's Dilemma'. There are some quieter moments which could have used a bit of a 'rev' like the wimpy ballads 'I'll Be The One', and 'Don't Ask Me' while 'Worries Away' is very LA session oriented, in part due to Luciani's rhodes/piano stylizing. A man of this caliber only releases albums infrequently, so if and when you are out collecting CD's for your collection be sure to add Alfie Zappacosta's material to your list. Track Listing: 01 Letter Back 02 Nothing To Do With Love 03 Simple Words To Say 04 Good Intentions 05 Place On The Beach 06 The Only One Alfie Zappacosta - vocals, guitars Gerry 'The Mozz' Mosby - guitars Marco Luciani - keyboards Darren Bowler - bass Tony Azzopardi - drums