Zoöphyte: Galapagos

Zoöphyte is a ten-piece pop band boasting some of London's finest jazz musicians. Its debut album, Signs Of Life (Howlin' Werewolf, 2020), was a pleasing hybrid of uber-catchy grooves, ear-bending psychedelia and sizzling jazz virtuosity. How could it be otherwise for a band that cites influences as diverse as Canterbury progressives Soft Machine and Caravan, psychedelic soulsters The Fifth Dimension, rock antiheroes Chicago and Steely Dan, and nu-jazz conceptualist Robert Glasper? One pandemic later, this genre-slippery unit delivers another slice of uplifting, summery jazz-pop.

Eleven originals are roughly split between instrumentals and vocal numbers, with groove and melody the blood in Zoophyte's veins. Singer Peter Jones' warm yet mellow tenor is central to Zoophyte's light 'n' breezy aesthetic, notably on the radio-friendly "Working Hours" and "Let's Get Out Of The City," while smart horn arrangements allow trumpeter Graeme Flowers, tenor saxophonist/flautist Vasilis Xenopoulos and trombonist Tim Smart to shine. Pick of the horn-driven numbers are "Edwin's Mood," a bouncing feel-good anthem that features a fine turn from guitarist Rob Luft, and the brushes-steered ballad "Wait Until Dark."

Lyrically, maritime imagery abounds, with chief song-writers Jones and Trevor Lever evoking a little of Caravan's English whimsy on "Not What," a fantastical adventure to an underwater world. Elsewhere, the lyrics tackle more concrete themes such as work-life balance and recognising inner strength. Zoophyte may offer terrific escapism, but its music is also socially conscious. Solos short-and-sweet pepper the tunes, while bassist Dave Jones, drummer Sophie Alloway and keyboardist Ross Stanley provide vibrant, multi-hued rhythms that waste no time in burrowing their way under one's skin.

A buoyant soundtrack to sun-filled days of romance and adventure, Galapagos flies the flag for smart pop and accessible jazz. Stylish crossover music that is both sophisticated and fun.