ZJC-Season 1- Various Artists
- johnaalex
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
ZJC-Season 1, Featuring The Jive Romeros, The Senti-mentals, The Four Fenders and The Crystalairs.
Released 30th June available on coloured vinyl in a deluxe gatefold 2-disc package and CD. Contact john_dobinson@btinternet.com. Distributed by Ace Records for the world and also by Tessy Records in Europe.
Record Label: DooPop Records DOOEP702
All arrangements & production by John Dobinson
Mixed & mastered by Paul Golding
Design & artwork by Tony Diavolo of Diavolo Design
All songs published by JDMS Publishing All masters owned by DooPop Records.
Reviewed by Terry Mead. 09/07/2025
ZJC frontman John Dobinson hails for London, UK. This debut 4-track self-penned release from ZJC contains a couple of jivers, a ska-flavoured stroller and a lush ballad as he puts it.
ZJC Consist of:
Dragan Zac Zdravkovic - Guitars & Upright Bass.
John Dobinson - Tenor Saxes & Piano.
Carl Dobinson - Drums & Percussion.
Track by track Review:
You Can’t Have Me- Composed by John Dobinson this track features the Jive Romeros and on vocals none other than Martin ‘Nobby’ Clarke backed by ZJC. It’s a typical Romeros blend of fast paced Rocking music adapted for the jiving fraternity that made British Rock n Roll in the fifties famous.
The Ultimate Aphrodisiac-This track is jointly written by John Dobinson and lead vocalist of the Senti-mentals Paul Eccentric. With its ska flavoured beat Paul gives it the Senti-mental twist joined by Glenn Brentnall and Den Hegarty on backing & bass vocals, accompanied by Steve Croft on the organ and Nick Lunt on baritone sax. More of a mellow jiver or stroller that has a lively air about it.
If I Was You- Again solely written by John Dobinson, doo wop harmonising at its best with a fast-jiving beat and all the moves to match. The Four Fenders are featured here a brand-new band from the UK with Glenn Brentnall on lead vocals, Jon Pannaman, Paul Solomons and John Dobinson on backing vocals.
Fairytale Memories- The combination of Ralf Zur Linde from German doo wop group The Crystalairs and John Dobinson’s talented composing skills give us this lovely ballad. It lives up to the title as it drifts along to a mystic beat with some prolific musical notes that add to the fantasy. Ralf provide the lead and backing vocals.
To Summarise quite a unique formula here for a debut EP a different compilation of well-known singer/singers backed by a very professional outfit ZJC (Zac, John & Carl) certainly adds contrast and flair to the music, well worth buying it great addition to any collection.
Links to Social Media:
Track List:
Disc 1
Side A
You Can’t Have Me
Side B
The Ultimate Aphrodisiac
Disc 2
Side A
If I Was You
Side B
Fairytale Memories
Band Bio:
ZJC is the new project from three musicians familiar to many on the rockin’ scene - John Dobinson, who plays sax and piano and is the principal songwriter; Dragan Zac Zdravkovic, who plays guitars and upright bass, and Carl Dobinson, who handles all the drums and percussion.
Zac, John and Carl play together in the Senti-Mentals, and John also performs with Zac’s band, the Jive Romeros.
Having enjoyed working together, and with a shared sense of what it takes to produce a great new original record, the idea took shape to make a 4-track EP with all new original compositions, and featuring 4 different vocalists known and widely respected for their uniqueness and talent.
The result is Season 1 - a mix of styles and tempos featuring the vocal delights of Ralf Zur Linde (the Crystalairs), Paul Eccentric (the Senti-Mentals), Glenn Brentnall (the Roomates and the Four Fenders) and Martin ‘Nobby’ Clarke (the Jive Romeros).
There’s a lush ballad, a ska-infused stroller, a harmony-laden doowop jiver, and a Haley-inspired rockin’ jiver… all written specially for the EP and specifically for the various featured vocalists.
Mixed and mastered in an award-winning professional studio, the sound is noticeably big, full and punchy and designed for the dance floor. The Collectable nature of the release has been enhanced with classic artwork from Tony Diavolo in a 2-disc coloured vinyl package featuring purple and pink discs in a deluxe gatefold sleeve.
Contact:
John Dobinson
E-mail: john_dobinson@btinternet.com
Tel: 07818 008792
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