Zeb ,also known ast "the spy from Cairo "and "the Pleb" has been a producer since the early 90s (and a musician for much longer than that...).
He plays the guitar ( electric and classical/flamenco ) the bass, the Oud ( arabic guitar ) the synth and just about any of the instruments you'll hear in his music except from some rare old dirty vocal sample in some tunes...
He was a founder, with partner Sasha Crnobrnja (now "In Flagranti" )of the now defunkt Organic Grooves collective which was a regular New York party for 10 years as well as a
band ,releasing 5 albums ( Organic Grooves 1 to 5 ).
After Organic Grooves he has been known for his involvement with Turntables on the Hudson ( another N.Y. party slash record label ) releasing many tunes and collaborating on remixes with DJ Nickodemus ( the man behind Turntables on the Hudson and Wonderwheel Records ).
Zeb has definitely contributed in shaping the New York underground dance scene for over a decade with his solo projects and with various collaborations .
His remixes include ,Richard Dorfmeister, Astor Piazzolla, Billy Holiday,Farid al Atrache
Omar Faruk Tekbilek and Baba Maal .
Also check out his latest collaboration with Sasha Crnobrnja "OBLIO".
HIS APPEARANCES ON VARIOUS COMPILATIONS ARE COUNTLESS.
FOR A DETAILED DISCOGRAPHY please click on the band website link on the left.
Born in Italy in June 1969 but wih Gypsy roots, Zeb started to travel at the very early age of 15, when he left his family and moved to Great Britain to become a musician.
He spent some time in south Spain too where he fell in love with Flamenco .
Growing up in London, in a mostly West indian, Indian and Arab neighborhood , he always
enjoyed mixing all the musical flavors that surrounded him till he eventually came out with his own blend of "Middle Eastern dub funk" always with a touch of Andalusia ( for those who don't know, it's where Flamenco comes from...).
Having said that, Zebs love for the eclectic, has pushed him to mingle with most kinds of music that are out there...there is almost nothing that Zeb cannot remix some say...
His trade mark sound, always comes out strong though!
deep bass lines and sexy Oud or guitar riffs topped off with sensual exotic sounds and
solid beats to keep everything tight together.
Now settled in NY ( for almost 20 years ) Zeb continues to explore the world with his music
and his new album Secretly Famous will focus particularly on the Middle East ( and the Gypsy music from the Middle East ).
Much has been said and speculated about the Middle East in the recent years and there is a global sense of fear towards Arabs ( Muslims...).
Some will argue Islam and some wont but we can all enjoy the "music" ...and Arabic music is one of the most "spiritual, sensual,sexy and beautiful" kinds of expression!
Peace,Shanti and Salaam
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
"Zeb Step"
Rudiments Records (Japan only release) 2008
This is the cover for my newest album which will hopefully be out in the summer...
The label has to be announced yet but the tunes are there....( mashallah! ).
It will be focused exclusively on middle eastern music with plenty of dubby bass lines ,lot's of Oud and some ....sufi cosmic disco....
the tiltle is "Secretly Famous"
Ana 3rabi--Ana Asmar wa dami A7mar wa loni zahab-- ana inta wa inta ana... I absolutely love this song. Especially because you mixed in the seriousness of the lyrics, which are simple and meaningful, with music that's such a mixture of amazing beats and rythms. Keep this one on your album, it's quite fantastic. You and Ghalia make a wonderful sound together! I do remember you playing this. We all danced like Arabs. ;)
